Lavari Interiors: Your Guide to Premium Tapware, Bathroom Design & Renovation Tips
5 Common Bathroom Tapware Mistakes + How to Choose the Right Tapware
Click the above picture for a PDF copy
Choosing the right bathroom tapware is about more than just appearance — especially in coastal regions like the Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Understanding how to choose tapware that suits your space, lifestyle, and environment can make the difference between long-term performance and costly replacements.
In this guide, we share common tapware mistakes and expert insights to help you select finishes and fixtures that are both beautiful and built to last.
MISTAKE 1 - CHOOSING LOOKS OVER LONGEVITY
What people do:
They choose a finish because it looks beautiful in photos, display homes or on Instagram.
Why it’s a mistake:
Not all finishes are designed for wet areas. In bathrooms - especially humid or coastal ones - lower quality coatings can:
Tarnish
Peel
Fade
Discolour unevenly
Once this happens, there is no fixing it without replacing the tap.
Better approach:
Choose tapware with PVD or high-quality electroplated finishes, design specifically for bathroom use and long-term exposure to moisture.
MISTAKE 2- NOT CHECKING IF THE TAP SUITS THE BASIN
What people do:
They choose a tap they love without considering:
Basin depth
Bowl width
Spout height or reach
Why it’s a mistake:
The wrong proportions lead to:
Constant splashing
Water sitting around the basin edge
An awkward user experience
It looks good.. but doesn’t work.
Better approach:
Always match the spout to the basin:
Shallow basin → lower spout
Wide basin → longer reach
Above-counter basin → taller mixer
MISTAKE 3 - IGNORING COASTAL CONDITIONS
What people do:
They choose tapware without thinking about climate.
Why it’s a mistake:
Coastal environments bring:
Higher humidity
Salt in the air
Faster corrosion of poor-quality materials
Some tapware simply isn’t designed to handle this long-term
Better approach:
Choose stainless steel tapware with durable PVD coatings, which perform exceptionally well in coastal areas like the Sunshine Coast.
MISTAKE 4 - BUYING CHEAP TAPWARE TO SAVE MONEY
What people do:
After spending on tiles, cabinetry and stone, they cut costs on tapware.
Why it’s a mistake:
Cheaper tapware often means:
Lower-grade internals
Poor cartridge quality
Stiff handles
Leaks within a few years
Replacing tapware later is far more expensive than doing it properly once.
Better approach:
Invest in solid stainless-steel construction with quality internal components - tapware is a daily-use product and should last.
MISTAKE 5 - MIXING FINISHES WITHOUT A PLAN
What people do:
They mix finishes across taps, accessories, wastes and handles - without intention.
Why it’s a mistake:
Too many finishes can make a bathroom feel:
Busy
Incohesive
slightly ‘off’, even if each piece is nice on its own.
Better approach:
Choose one hero finish and carry it through:
Tapware
Accessories
Hardware
If mixing finishes, do it deliberately and sparingly.

