Infrared Automatic taps are a new and improved way to stay healthy, keep clean and prevent the spread of transferrable diseases; this is why families all over the country are swapping their grimy old taps for the more hygienic option. The design means that you simply wave your hand in front of the tap body to trigger the water flow; simple, effective and stylish.

The infra red sensor technology featured ensures that these taps are reliable and easy to use. Infra-red sensor taps are hygienic as the touch free system helps avoid the spread of germs and bacteria (also keeping the tap body free from dirty finger marks). Sensor technology also ensures water efficiency as the water supply is triggered by the detection of movement; this also helps prevent the risk of flooding.

The taps are well suited for either a public bathroom or for home use, there is a more simplistic design but all are stylish. Then infrared taps are a must, It’s a lot more hygienic and it looks extremely professional in a working environment.

This kind of tap is best suited to hospitals, nursing homes, places of food preparation and can also be used in your own home bathrooms and kitchens.

These are the perfect taps in terms of hygiene; no need to wonder who has touched the taps before you, because it’s completely contactless!

Kitchens have heaps of potential when it comes to creating a stylish and modern space in your home; new styles in kitchen appliances, furniture, colour schemes and fixtures allow owners to create a wider range of themes and styles than ever before. There is however, the danger of going a little too far with your chosen theme by substituting substance for style.

Less is Always More

The key to creating a stylish kitchen that radiates style is subtlety; by replacing old features that serve a practical purpose you can add modern features, colours and styles without overly filling the space with clutter.

Source features and fixtures that express the design you are trying to convey; if you are looking to create a kitchen that is at the cutting edge of modern interior design then features such as the Deva Edge 118 Mixer Tap are sure to enhance the overall effectiveness of the kitchen’s appearance. The sleek, chrome appearance of a feature such as this adds to the effortlessly cool feel commonly found in modern bathrooms. Alternatively, those who are looking to create a more traditional, vintage kitchen would be better suited to fittings such as the Sagittarius Churchmans Kitchen Bib Tap and Stand, as a piece like this evokes a much more ‘classic kitchen’ feeling and yet supplies modern day quality and craftsmanship.

Colour Scheme Supreme

A stylish and contemporary kitchen requires a sleek, modern colour scheme to play host to your new range of features, fixtures and fittings. If you successfully choose a colour scheme that goes hand-in-hand with your new kitchen features then the finished product will be a truly remarkable sight, but if you choose a colour scheme that somehow contradicts the theme you have conveyed through your kitchen furniture and features it’s likely the finished product will look messy and inconsistent.

Modern, chrome fixtures and furniture is extremely versatile, they do not clash with any colours or patterns as such, but the ‘feel’ they give off is what we’re trying to match here. Intense, detailed floral wallpaper or curtains are usually features in more classic or ‘vintage’ kitchens, and white wooden furniture would be much better suited here. For the contemporary kitchen which features many chrome and metal features, a simpler colour scheme is much more effective.

If you are looking to create a kitchen with a bright, ‘summery’ appearance then vibrant colours such as light greens and dark blues can work well with the modern fixtures available for kitchens today. If you are looking to create a more contemporary kitchen with that slightly futuristic edge, adopt a mainly black or white (or a careful combination of the two!) for maximum effect.

Once you’ve chosen and purchased your kitchen furniture , there are still many decisions you need to make in order to acquire your ideal design and layout. Quality products will not be fully benefitted from if they are fitted incorrectly and therefore the task of finding the perfect tradesmen to fit the furniture is a highly important process.

Ensure you research fitters thoroughly, and if possible use companies which have been recommended to you by trusted family members or friends. Word of mouth is always a good way of gaining references and if possible, being able to witness the work carried out by such businesses will reinforce any uncertainties you may have. Fitters in your local area are commonly the most advisable as they are more likely to have worked close by and give you the opportunity to witness their previous work first hand.

Professional and well established companies should have their own site which enables previous customer reviews and responses for potential customers to look at. Independent businesses will heavily rely on self promotion and can sometimes miss lead clients to create work for themselves. Remember a business’s main aim is to generate revenue, and so some can manipulate people into believing their company is better than they actually are. There are specialised sites which concentrate solely on comparing these types of organisations and directing interest to the most trusted and well respected companies.

Sometimes it’s worth paying a little more for fitters who are trusted within the market rather than risking cheap labour which may end up costing more in the long run when the job is done to a poor standard. Experienced workers will have built up a trusted network over a number of years and will therefore be able to provide specialist members who are knowledgeable and highly qualified. If you ask for evidence of their skills, the workers in question should always be able to confirm their qualifications with certified documents.

It is always recommended to observe the work carried out by the labourers to ensure they’re doing the job well and accurately. Keep an eye on progress and don’t be afraid to ask any questions in order to gain the best understanding of the tasks they’re carrying out. The materials and tools they use will be a vital concept in the durance and longevity of the fitting so be aware of quality and again don’t be anxious to raise any concerns.

Get a quote on how much the job will cost before it is actually performed and don’t hand over any money before the job is complete and you are totally satisfied with the outcome. Once you are happy with your kitchen, enjoy, and pass on any contacts you have used in order to ensure that other people acquire the same level of quality service.

The amount of water we use in the UK is rising; we are now using 50% more water than we did 25 years ago. This means an increase in water prices and more money coming from your pocket. If you’re using water when you don’t need to be, or using it unnecessarily by flushing your toilet too often, then you’re costing yourself a substantial amount and essentially throwing money down the drain.

Some quick facts:
• The average household uses 130,000 gallons of water every year.¹
• About 95 percent of the water entering our homes goes down the drain.²

Nearly everyone is conscious about the ways they’re affecting the environment these days, and although having cold showers and living in mud huts sounds appealing to some, at TapShop321.com we think the best way to go about this is to use a more environmentally friendly tap.

Now, we all know that if you have an environmentally friendly product it’s going to be a) way more expensive than its counterpart and b) as visually pleasing as a cardboard box.

Well that’s where you’re wrong, introducing Eco Click taps.
Eco Click taps use the latest technology to lower the amount of water you use and what’s more, designers seem to be winning the battle between practicality and aesthetically pleasing designs. Take for instance Ultra’s Eon Single lever mixer, or Mayfair’s Freestanding Mono Basin.

Just these two designs show that you can achieve visual beauty as well as being environmentally friendly. (Take a note, Prius!)

So how does this work?
The Eco-Click taps include an Eco-Click cartridge, which can reduce the amount of water flowing through the tap. The first setting is for a 50% flow rate, and the second is for the full water flow – so you are in control of how much you use. What’s more, with a lot of the brands featuring Eco-Click cartridges – they are the same price as their “non Eco-Click” sibling – proving you can be environmentally friendly, have a visually pleasing tap… and not have to pay so much.

Why not check our website for our full range of Eco-Click taps? Click here

1. http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/ten-facts-about-the-water-we-waste/
2. http://eartheasy.com/live_water_saving.htm

The kitchen is ultimately the heart of the home and should provide the perfect layout for any family to cook, eat and also entertain. Open plan designs enable this ideal combination by encouraging sociability as well as practicality.

The prospect of open plan living may seem a contemporary connotation to many, but decor can also easily influence a traditional style if desired.  The opportunity to create more space is a huge advantage and the adding of value not only to your property but to your family dynamics is another. Positioning the living and dining area in close proximity to the cooking area encourages a communal and affable environment that can be enjoyed by homeowners as well as guests.

Breakfast bars are an ideal way of dividing the space and providing a useful definition between the two areas. Flooring can also identify this by adopting different but practical choices. Laminate or hard wood flooring is the most common preference in the kitchen as it is not only stylish, but also easily cleaned. A much softer material such as carpet could be adopted in the dining area however to influence the feeling of comfort and warmth.

Ensure the separate spaces flow by decorating the interior using colour schemes that harmonise and furniture that matches. Neutral tones create the ultimate backdrop to a clean styled contemporary or traditional kitchen and help give the impression of more space. Both areas can adopt diverse ambiences however with the use of different fixtures. Lighting is a great way to identify ‘work space’ and ‘dining space’. Bright LED’s are functional when preparing to cook, whereas stylish lamps and subtle lighting will influence a more casual living area. Accessorise your kitchen with stylish and luxury fixtures available here at Tapshop321 which not only prove an attractive feature but will also enhance the practicality of cooking.

Invest in kitchen units that guarantee enough storage capacity in order to keep clutter and mess to a minimal as this only hinders the feeling of space. Amplify a homely atmosphere by adding personal touches such as potted plants, pictures and trinkets which inject your own unique style.

Natural light is a huge additional benefit to any room so make sure the positioning of any furniture doesn’t hinder this. Consider delicate, flowing fabrics when selecting curtains or drapes for around your windows to emphasise the airiness. You should also however make sure there is enough room for diners to move around freely when deciding on the most convenient place for any large pieces of furniture such as your dining room table. These can come in a variety of styles and shapes to suit different room dimensions.

Enjoy the comfort of your kitchen collectively with these effective tips and create the ultimate family environment.

Finding new and innovative ways to ensure each room in your home is as stylish and aesthetically desirable as possible is always a hot topic for homeowners. As popular styles and fashions change over time, it’s important that homeowners source modern products and fixtures which accentuate a contemporary style of interior design they are trying to create; this is all well and good in rooms and areas which have a lot of open of free space to play with, but smaller more compact rooms require a much more tactful approach.

May cottages, bungalows and standard homes all over the UK come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it’s not uncommon for them to feature a smaller, compact kitchen. Transforming smaller kitchens such as these into a suave, sleek looking room requires a little forward planning and good use of organisational skills, so with that in mind let’s take a look at a few great small kitchen design ideas that radiate style without compromising on space!

Contemporary Fixtures

The small fixtures and features in your kitchen can have a huge influence on the style and ‘feel’ of the rest of the room. For example, choosing to add some of the Tapshop321 Traditional Kitchen Taps, your kitchen would evoke a classical and almost ‘vintage’ feeling; whereas a piece from our ‘modern kitchen taps’ range would add a more current and contemporary hint to the kitchen.

There are many styles in kitchen fixtures that you can incorporate into your small kitchen design, but it takes some forward planning to decide what theme you wish to adopt. Swapping out your standard old washbasin for a new countertop (of the same size, we’re trying to save space remember) and new fitted round basin can add a stylish new feature that your neighbour’s standard fitted kitchens certainly won’t have!

Use of Colour

When planning out your small kitchen design, try to incorporate a new colour scheme that fits perfectly with the theme you are looking to create. If you wish to create a light, summery kitchen the light tones of green or standard neutral cream, white or even peach tones may sit well in your home; alternatively a more modern and contemporary kitchen would likely benefit more from a black and white colour scheme, or a more vibrant red. Either way, is sure to carry the colour throughout the kitchen, if you can replace kitchen cupboards and draws with some which adhere to the colour scheme, you will add heaps of style to the room without taking up any extra space.

Add some colourful finishing touches to your rough draft of your small kitchen design by sourcing some kitchen accessories that continue the colour scheme and theme; dishcloths, cutlery, crockery and matts can all be bought to match, and if done correctly will add the perfect finishing touches to your kitchen.

Finding simple ways to add fresh and innovative style to your home can often understandably seem complicated and costly. The phrase ‘contemporary home decor’ may evoke images of a complete home remodelling, replacing every old item and decorative piece with abstract artwork and uncomfortable seating, but adding modern features to your home is much easier than you may think.

The key to incorporating contemporary and designer features is moderation; a home which is packed to the brim full of modern features, fixtures and furniture is going to look great but it is unlikely to feel very homely or relaxing. Adding dashes of modern style in each room is the best way to achieve a happy medium between a homely ‘lived in’ household and a fresh, fashionable ‘pad’.

It’s important that we do not substitute substance for style in our homes; often stylish home furnishings can trade their functionality or practicality purely to better serve as a stylish home addition. At Tapshop321, all of our stylish fixtures and fittings are crafted to have a stunning appearance yet have a smooth and liberating functionality which really is an assurance of quality.

If you are looking to carry a contemporary and modern feel throughout your home, there are several ways to ensure you execute it well. Firstly, ensure you’re being consistent with your colour scheme in each room; sourcing stylish and modern features to furnish your home with is all well and good but can be easily spoiled when there are too many vibrant colours or patterns in a room. Choose a couple of simple colours that look great together and represent what you feel to be a ‘contemporary colour scheme’ and then build your modern palace around the feeling the room gives off.

Luckily, chrome features and fixtures fit in wonderfully with any colour scheme, so feel free to let your hair down in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen, as you can be sure the Tapshop321 team have contemporary fixtures and fittings to further enhance each area!

Add furniture and accessories that not only adhere to the colour scheme, but adhere to a similar theme or ‘feel’, this way you can be sure the finished version of your new room or even household will be stylish, consistent and best of all, contemporary!

For more great interior decoration tips and ideas be sure to check back to the Tapshop321 Blog regularly.

At Tapshop321 we love to hear from our customers; supplying stylish and contemporary products to buyers across the country gives thousands of people the chance to add some of our modern and luxurious pieces to their home, and we want to hear about it! We really appreciate modern interior styles and designs and would love to hear how you have incorporated some of Tapshop321’s fantastic products into your contemporary home. Whether you are a new or old customer to Tapshop321, we’d love to see images you have uploaded of a recently renovated room, and hear your thoughts on any of our products.

There are a tons of ways to interact with Tapshop321 and we would love to hear what you have to say; if you are an avid Tweeter then head over to our twitter page @Bathrooms1 or come ‘like’ our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tapshop321. Our little social network community is the perfect place to discuss our products and ask any burning questions you may have; alternatively we would be happy to accept and customer reviews and feedback on our pages too, so get in touch!

If you would like to contact Tapshop321 regarding a delicate or confidential matter then please view our contact details found on our Contact page. You can contact us via telephone, email or our live chat feature during working hours; if we are unavailable then we will deal with your question or comment and respond as soon as possible the next day.

Remember to pay us a visit on Facebook and Twitter and leave us any comments or questions you may have, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Whether you’re fitting a complete new kitchen or simply looking to add some fresh flourishes to an existing kitchen; the selection of your kitchen taps is worth some dedicated consideration. Given the vast number of decisions and options to consider when renovating it can be easy to overlook small details which really should be contemplated – with this in mind here’s a quick guide to selecting and fitting kitchen taps:

1 – Establish Water Pressure

Although unlikely to be a major issue in most circumstances, low water pressure can mean that certain types of kitchen taps aren’t the most suitable option. Taps with spray attachments for instance are likely to be more dribble than spray if you’re home has particularly low water pressure. Consult a plumber or your local water board if you’d like to find out more about your water pressure and potential solutions if it doesn’t live up to your requirements.

2 – Aim to Balance Style and Functionality When Selecting Your Kitchen Taps

The key to selection of kitchen taps is the consideration of practicality as well as style and aesthetics. Space constraints for instance may mean that a mixer tap is a more practical choice than separate taps. Similarly, a tap which features easy to use handles or levers may be better suited for your circumstances than a kitchen tap which places styling over ease of operation.

There are a number of distinctly different styles of kitchen tap and an array of different features to look out for. From professional systems with high pressure flexible spray hoses, through to minimalist monobloc mixers it can be hard to make a decision. Provided you bear in mind practicality whilst making a decision you’re unlikely to go wrong given the high quality of manufacture and lengthy warranty boasted by most modern kitchen taps.

On the style front it’s essential to look for taps which co-ordinate with the rest of the room, although only small in size, kitchen taps go a long way towards establishing the overall feel of the kitchen and design factors should be carefully considered.

3 – Hire a Professional for Fitting Unless you’re Proficient with Plumbing

Unless you, or a friend or family member are experienced in home plumbing, it is wise to enlist the services of a professional when looking to fit new kitchen taps. As you’re dealing with the mains water system there is no room for error when it comes to tap fitting. The task is however a straight forward and quick job for an experienced plumber and is likely to be inexpensive and certainly worth the outlay – especially compared to the price of rectifying an unsuccessful DIY attempt.

If you’d like any further help selecting kitchen taps then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Tapshop321 team!

Adding a new look or feel to a bathroom may seem difficult at first glance; images of large scale, costly remodelling or restoration projects may be evoked, and put many off the idea of changing the room. This is not necessarily the case however; whilst old units and fixtures will degrade in quality and have to be replaced over the years, you can still add a sense of style and class with some very simple tricks. Strategically placing atmospheric and effective lighting around your bathroom can have numerous effects on the look and feel of it, and if you are looking to create a bathroom that delivers more than just a quick shower, some of these ideas may be perfect for you.

Safety First

First things first, always remember that electrical lighting should be safely and professionally installed; having bathroom lights which are exposed to electrical fitting and wirings is simply a dangerous and potentially fatal mistake to make. Any lighting situated must be purpose-built waterproof and watertight lighting; and approved by a certified electrician.

Dynamic Lighting

Dynamic lights can be hugely effective, especially if you are purchasing them with the intention of regularly relaxing in your bathtub. Dynamic lighting will slowly change the colour and ‘mood’ expressed in your bathroom, casting vibrant and relaxing tones across the walls and fixtures within; taking advantage of these relaxing colours and taking a long soak in your bathtub can be mentally relaxing and stimulating.

Glowing Features

Bathroom features are available with built in lights; these can be aesthetically pleasing as well as hugely practical. Features such as the backlit mirror for example, are great for those close and personal grooming sessions, allowing the user to effectively use the mirror without struggling to see their face and hair; yet the mirrors are also a great decorative item when lit in a darkened or dimmed room. These can also be great additions to a relaxing bathroom session, and even impress visiting friends and family when they see it for themselves.

Smaller Light Sources

Smaller items can be just as effective at creating a relaxing bathing experience; coloured and scented candles are ideal when looking to soak in the tub and let your imagination drift away. The warming glow of a few candles whilst bathing is more than enough to relax even the tensest person, so adding a few of these around the bath and shower area can be an inexpensive and effective way of adding atmospheric lighting to your bathroom.