A kitchen renovation is one of the most significant investments in a home. The decisions you make — layout, surfaces, appliances, hardware — will define how the space looks and functions for a decade or more. Getting the hardware right is one of the most overlooked parts of the process.
Here's a practical guide to planning your kitchen renovation, with a focus on choosing the right tap, finish, and fixtures to tie the space together.
Start with the Layout
Before anything else, confirm your kitchen layout. The tap position is determined by your sink location, which is almost always fixed once the worktop and cabinetry are in place. Consider:
- Where is the sink going? Underneath a window is the most common and functional position.
- Deck-mounted or wall-mounted tap? Wall-mounted requires in-wall plumbing and is best planned at the renovation stage before tiling begins.
- How many tap holes does your chosen sink have? This determines your tap configuration.
Choose Your Finish Early — Then Work Backwards
One of the most common mistakes in kitchen renovations is choosing the tap last, as an afterthought. In practice, the tap finish should be one of the first decisions — because it sets the tone for every other metal element in the kitchen.
Once you've chosen your tap finish, match your cabinet handles, pendant light fittings, and any visible appliance trim to the same finish family. This single decision creates visual cohesion across the entire room.
Popular kitchen finish choices:
- Brushed Brass — Warm and contemporary. Works with cream, sage, navy, and charcoal cabinetry. One of the most popular choices for modern kitchen renovations.
- Matte Black — Bold and graphic. Works with white or light stone countertops and darker cabinet tones.
- Brushed Nickel / Stainless Steel — Versatile and timeless. Works in almost any kitchen scheme.
- Chrome — Bright and traditional. Works across classic and contemporary kitchens.
Tap Type: What Suits Your Kitchen Best?
Pull-Down Taps
Pull-down kitchen taps have a retractable spray head built into the spout. They offer excellent reach and versatility — ideal for filling large pots, rinsing produce, and cleaning the sink. Best suited to deeper kitchen sinks.
Flexible Hose Taps
A flexible-hose design allows the entire spout to bend and direct water precisely. Two-tone designs (where the hose contrasts with the body) have become a strong trend, offering a distinctive visual element as well as practical flexibility.
Minimal L-Spout Taps
An L-shaped single-lever tap offers the cleanest look. No moving parts other than the lever — ideal for kitchens where the design intent is maximally restrained and functional.
Filter Taps
A dedicated filter tap provides a separate outlet for filtered drinking water alongside a standard hot/cold mixer. Ideal if water quality is a priority, particularly in hard water areas.
Don't Forget Water Pressure
Before selecting a tap, confirm your kitchen's water pressure. Most kitchen taps require a minimum of 1.5 bar. Homes with a combi boiler typically run at 2–3 bar, which is more than sufficient. Gravity-fed systems may run lower and require checking.
Timing Your Tap Order
Order your kitchen tap at the same time as your sink, before the worktop template is cut. This ensures the tap hole configuration is correct for your chosen tap — a mismatch discovered after the worktop is installed is an expensive fix.
The Cortenvale Kitchen Range
Our kitchen tap collection includes pull-down designs (AURIX, DORIX, VORIN), flexible hose designs (PRISMA, RIVARO, VEXA), minimal L-spout taps (LINEO, NARVO), and a water filter tap (NARVO). All are made from solid brass, WRAS approved, and available across multiple finishes.
Browse the full kitchen collection at cortenvale.com/collections/kitchen.