TRENDING // bathroom tap trends emerging in 2020

Taps with matt or brushed finishes are flooding into the most contemporary bathrooms in a varied palette of muted metallics and monochromes, transforming pieces of brassware into elegant design statements.

“A wide range of tap finishes are emerging as part of the trend for statement bathrooms.” – Graeme Borchard, Managing Director, UK Bathrooms.

Metallic finishes in gleaming hues ranging from copper to bronze have moved into the bathroom over the recent years, as brassware became more experimental – and #bathroomselfie started trending on Instagram. Now it’s the turn of subtler, more gentle shades, as brushed and matt finishes are launched across taps of every tone. “A wide range of tap finishes are emerging as part of the trend for statement bathrooms,” explains Graeme Borchard, MD at UK Bathrooms. “There’s a real desire for spaces which are bold and luxurious, but also unique and personal.”

Adding a tap – or other brassware – with a brushed, matt or textured finish to the bathroom instantly creates a sophisticated, tranquil feel, thanks to their delicate and understated nature. Due to the wide variety of shades which have recently become available, there’s now a tone to harmonise with every bathroom scheme. Brushed nickel, for example, is a mellow version of classic chrome, the soft silvery colour working beautifully with bathrooms in cool, watery hues that have blue, green, turquoise or white bases. For bathrooms decorated with warmer colours like pink, coral or yellow, muted brass and bronzes will blend in with the dusky, sunset feel of the space.

As well as their chic appearance, taps lacking the traditional high shine have practical benefits too, accumulating fewer watermarks and finger prints, and requiring minimal polishing, so are joyfully low maintenance.

Want to make more of a statement? Matt black and white taps have also taken hold of 2020, the striking shades packing more of a punch than brushed metallic tones, but with a minimal texture that doesn’t reflect light at all.

Matt monochromes work in any bathroom setting. A matt black tap absorbs light, forming a shadowy silhouette against the surface behind it – team it with matching brassware to create a pared-back take on the industrial, New York loft-style bathroom trend. Matt white taps speak of elegance and crispness, a point of difference against other glossy white ceramics in the room, while also working alongside them. Against surface materials like marble or tiles, white taps let the walls take centre stage, while black taps add a shapely focal point.

Matt textures work best on taps which have simple, modern shapes, so the material is emphasised and can be fully appreciated; a bevy of new releases from key bathroom brands combine brushed or matt finishes with clean, contemporary styling.

Taking influence from modern architecture, hansgrohe has added Matt White and Matt Black to its FinishPlus range, which also includes Brushed Bronze and Brushed Black Chrome, and can be applied across the sleek Metropol and Talis E ranges. Crosswater’s MPRO collection is also all about minimal shine finishes, its basin taps – as well as other coordinating showers, valves and accessories – can be coated in Matt Black, Matt White and Brushed Stainless Steel or Brass. Colour Your Bathroom by Abacus has the option to apply on trend Matt Black, Brushed Bronze and Brushed Nickel across its entire collection of taps and more, while VitrA’s angular Origin range carries Matt Black and Brushed Nickle on more than 150 products.

Finding a tap with a finish that will complement but not overpower your bathroom has never been easier – choose a single piece for a sculptural statement or use textured metal across the entire space to fully embrace this year’s hottest bathroom trend.

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Main image credit: UK Bathrooms