Bathroom tap spacing: a key design consideration

When we think about designing a bathroom, our attention often focuses on the choice of tiles, wall colours and the style of the brassware.

Often overlooked, yet no less important, is properly planning the tap centres — in a way that not only harmonises with the room’s aesthetics but also guarantees functionality and comfort in use. One might think it’s merely a technical detail, but in practice it directly affects how we perceive the space and how efficiently we use it every day. It also matters when choosing the right bathroom taps. Let’s take a closer look.

Bathroom tap centres — is there a standard?

In the world of bathroom design there are many trends and individual approaches, but when we talk about technical aspects such as pipe spacing, it seems that having a standard would make life easier for many of us.

And indeed, there are some universal guidelines for centres that are widely used in the industry. Although different models of taps may have slightly different requirements, most manufacturers rely on established norms to make installation easier and to ensure compatibility with existing installations.

The standard centre distance for bathroom brassware, both shower and bath mixers, is most commonly 150 mm. This means the distance between the two holes intended for mounting is exactly 15 centimetres. This value is accepted by most manufacturers, which makes replacing a tap easier without having to interfere with the existing installation. However, it’s worth noting that some contemporary bathroom tap models, especially those with more avant-garde designs, may present a different dimension.

It’s always worth checking the specifications of your chosen product carefully and following its requirements, to avoid surprises during installation and to ensure optimal performance of the brassware.

What pipe centres for a tap might you encounter during a bathroom renovation?

During a bathroom renovation you may also come across more unusual pipe centres for taps:

• 100 mm — although less common, this spacing is encountered especially in older flats or houses where installations were carried out to former standards.
• 120 mm — an alternative spacing that is used in some tap models. Though rarer than the standard 150 mm, it may appear in some European ranges.
• 180 mm — primarily found on some larger bath or basin mixers. It is more often encountered in luxury bathrooms or hotels.
• Individual spacing — in some cases, especially with specific bespoke orders or exclusive models, the pipe centres may be non-standard and tailored specifically to a given tap model.

Choosing taps in the context of design and functionality

When choosing bathroom brassware, it’s not only the technical aspects that matter. It’s equally important that the bathroom tap fits the interior’s aesthetic perfectly, while also guaranteeing durability and ease of use.

If you’re investing in contemporary designs, it’s worth looking for those that combine innovative technological solutions with distinctive design. This way, the bathroom will become not only a place for daily rituals but also an oasis of relaxation and elegance, where every decorative element plays an important role in the overall spatial concept.

The shower mixer is particularly important from a design perspective, as the shape of the handset affects comfort not only when washing the body but also hair, and even pets. If it’s too heavy and angular, it can make it harder to direct the water stream to hard-to-reach areas, so it’s worth checking how it feels in the hand before installation.

How to measure the pipe centres for a shower mixer and a bath mixer?

Accurate dimensions are the key to correctly selecting and installing taps in the bathroom. To avoid mistakes and unpleasant surprises, use a vernier calliper or a metal tape measure.

Before you start measuring, identify the fixing points. For shower and bath mixers these are usually two holes in the wall to which the pipes are connected. If you’re mid-renovation and the wall is open, these points will be easy to see. If not, they’re usually where the old valves or pipe ends are located.

Place the calliper or tape so that it starts at the centre of one hole and ends at the centre of the other. Note the exact result in millimetres.

When investing in a new bathroom tap, remember that harmony between design and functionality translates into comfort and satisfaction in everyday use. As for installation, don’t be afraid to ask retailers for details — they often have the essential knowledge about the product specifications!

We recommend our other articles:

• How to choose the ideal bathroom tap? An overview of different types
• How to design a boho-style bathroom
• How to remove limescale from a shower screen? Popular and lesser-known methods