From the early days of indoor plumbing up until about 30 years ago, the kind of faucets and taps you had in your home didn't matter much. You used whatever came with the house. There were usually two different knobs, one for hot and one for cold, and sometimes even two separate faucets.

The last thing anyone cared about was what "style" they were. But times change. As homes became more custom-built and society grew more image-conscious, a whole new market opened up: designer taps and faucets, made to suit the homeowner's personal tastes. Now there are literally hundreds of styles, all functioning essentially the same way but adding aesthetic appeal to the kitchen or bathroom.

The bathroom is where homeowners have done the most with designer taps, maybe because guests are more likely to use this room than the kitchen, and maybe to help bring elegance to a room whose uses are less than appealing. Matching bathtub and sink faucets are common. Taps are usually made of steel, with finishes such as chrome, nickel and brass available.

The best place to see the various faucets available is at a home improvement center. These stores usually have numerous styles on display, allowing you to see and touch and determine what will go best with the decor in your home. Styles such as "Victorian" or "modern" help guide you; Victorian taps in a distinctly modern bathroom might look odd.

Most of the major brands offer lifetime guarantees on their taps, assuring you'll get years of good use out of them. It's rare that a homeowner changes faucets more than once, unless there's a complete overhaul of the home's interior design. For the most part, once you choose a style, it's part of the house for as long as you are. Choose something you like and let it enhance the beauty of your home.