Are you thinking of upgrading your kitchen tap? It’s likely to be one of your home’s hardest working products, so it’s well worth doing your research first. Try counting how many times you use your kitchen tap in one day for cooking, washing your hands, doing the dishes or simply filling the kettle. The final number will probably surprise you.

As you’d expect, there are lots of different elements to consider when looking for a tap – aesthetic and otherwise – before you take the plunge. Equally, there are lots of different types. How your tap looks is obviously a key factor, because you’ll want it to work with the overall design of your kitchen. But you’ll need reliable functionality, too. Kitchen bridge taps tick all the boxes, and are fast becoming one of our most- popular styles.

In response to customer demand, we have added new models to our existing traditional Putney and Knightsbridge collections. What’s especially interesting about our new Ember and Kora bridge taps is that they incorporate sleek styling that offers an ultra-contemporary twist on the classic bridge taps design. This makes them even more versatile, as they look equally good in all types of kitchens: think everything from rustic to industrial chic.

But what exactly are bridge taps and how do they work? In simple terms, bridge taps are a type of mixer tap. They feature separate hot and cold-water inlets, which are connected by a central section – the bridge. This is where the hot and cold-water flows mix, before leaving via a single spout. Bridge taps are usually fixed to the kitchen worktop at the back of the sink.

Did you know that bridge taps date back to the Victorian era, although they would only have been found in the wealthiest homes? This design became more common in the early 1900s. Separate/wall-mounted taps were still common during this period but this type could dispense only hot or cold water at any one time. So, bridge taps were far more sophisticated. Their design offered more precise temperature control – and a choice of warm, hot or cold water.

That precision and versatility remains a key benefit for bridge taps to this very day. That’s because they have a single, central spout, which integrates the cold and hot water via a connecting pipe. This makes its super easy to control your hot and cold water independently, and achieve exactly the right temperature you require.

For extra ease and convenience, the central spout can also swivel on all our bridge taps. That’s a big advantage, especially for kitchen sinks with more than one bowl.

Back to black

Our Ember bridge tap (EMB/BRI/BK) is also ideal if you feel black is where it’s at, or you’re mad about metallics. Bold metallic accents and darker shades are growing in popularity, as homeowners become more adventurous in terms of interior design ideas.

Stainless steel appeal

Our Ember bridge tap is also available in a stainless-steel finish (EMB/BRI/SS). Always in vogue, this metal is arguably the most versatile of all the metallics, as it complements so many interior styles. Why not pair our new Ember with a stainless steel sink, such as our Zona 200 Inset or Undermount model, for a sleek, cohesive look?