Basin Mixer vs Pillar Taps: What's the Difference?

When it comes to choosing taps for your bathroom basin, you'll come across two main options: basin mixers and pillar taps. Both are excellent choices — they simply suit different basins, styles and preferences. Here's everything you need to know to make the right choice for your bathroom.

What Are Pillar Taps?

Pillar taps are the traditional two-tap setup — one for hot water and one for cold. They're fitted through two separate holes in your basin and have a classic, timeless look that suits traditional and period-style bathrooms beautifully. Pillar taps are a great choice if you're working with a basin that already has two pre-drilled holes, or if you love a more classic aesthetic.

The iconic bib tap style — with its cross-head or lever handles — is a popular variation that adds real character and charm to a bathroom. At Serenity Home, our Emerald and Ruby bib tap ranges bring this classic look to life in a beautifully crafted design.

What Is a Basin Mixer?

A basin mixer combines hot and cold water through a single spout, controlled by one lever or handle. This gives you instant, precise temperature control — simply move the lever to find your perfect mix. Basin mixers are the most popular choice in modern bathrooms and are available in a huge range of styles, heights and finishes.

Types of Basin Mixers:

• Standard basin mixer — fits through a single hole in your basin. The most common and versatile option.
• Tall basin mixer — features a higher spout, ideal for countertop or vessel basins where a standard mixer's spout would sit too low.
• Wall-mounted basin mixer — mounted directly to the wall rather than the basin, creating a sleek, minimalist look with easy cleaning around the basin.
• Single wall mixer — a wall-mounted option with a single lever for a clean, contemporary finish.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Pillar Taps if you:

• Love a classic, traditional or vintage bathroom aesthetic
• Have a basin with two pre-drilled tap holes
• Want a distinctive, characterful look

Choose a Basin Mixer if you:

• Want easy, one-handed temperature control
• Have a single-hole basin (most modern basins)
• Prefer a contemporary, streamlined look
• Have a countertop or vessel basin (opt for a tall mixer)
• Want a wall-mounted option for a minimalist finish

Don't Forget the Finish

Whether you go for pillar taps or a basin mixer, choosing the right finish is key to a cohesive bathroom. Chrome is the classic, versatile choice, while matte black, brushed gold and rose gold add a more contemporary or luxurious feel. Whatever you choose, match your basin tap finish to your other bathroom fittings for a polished, designer look.

At Serenity Home, we stock a wide range of basin mixers and pillar taps across multiple styles and finishes — from sleek single-lever mixers to characterful bib taps. Browse our full basin mixer collection to find your perfect fit.