Pros and Cons of Trending Tapware Materials

Designing a new kitchen, bathroom or laundry is something that I know most women and some men really look forward to. If you’re anything like my partner, who is well-versed in interior and home design, you will understand that every component, including the choice of tapware material, has a design element that requires a decision.

Along with deciding on the design style, colour and components of each room, you also have to decide on your tapware. And now, with so many tapware materials trending in Perth and design magazines across the globe, choosing the right one to complement your design and meet your needs can be just as difficult as deciding on any other design element.

In today’s article, I take a look at some of the biggest tapware trends, offering the pros and cons of each material to help you decide which is best for your needs.

Chrome Tapware

By far the most popular tapware choice is chrome tapware, and it’s what we stock the most here at Ross’s Discount Home Centre.

Pros: Chrome seems to never go out of trend (click here to discover why!); therefore, should you choose chrome tapware, you won’t have to replace it in a few years’ time once the trend has passed. It won’t tarnish like copper or brass; it won’t corrode either. Chrome is very durable.

Cons: Being very popular and common, chrome tapware will never make a design statement. However, because of its popularity, it is also very easy to match with other accessories.

Matt Black Tapware

The biggest tapware trend of the last 5 or so years is definitely matt black tapware—and at Ross’s, we’ve jumped on board this trend by stocking a large range of matt black tapware, which you can view here.

Pros: Black tapware is undeniably modern, and its stark contrast to chrome makes it visually striking and capable of creating a significant design impact. It also complements a range of colour palettes, making it very versatile. Moreover, the matte finish won’t leave fingerprints and best of all, it’s very affordable.

Brass Tapware

Brass tapware has been around for a while, but it’s only been the last few years that it has really made an impact on home designs.

Pros: Brass tapware is the perfect choice for earthy designs. It complements natural colour tones and offers a warm finish. It will certainly be a memorable design element that demands attention whilst still being very subtle.

Cons: One disadvantage of brass tapware is that it only suits particular design styles, and if not implemented correctly, can look old-fashioned. It also tarnishes and will need to be polished often to keep its finish. Lastly, it is somewhat expensive.

Brushed Tapware

Brushed tapware—think gold, gunmetal, and nickel—is a nice modern alternative to chrome tapware and is a tapware trend that is still growing in popularity.

Pros: Brushed tapware is modern and contemporary. It is very versatile and suits a variety of modern styles and colour palettes. Its brushed finish, like matte finishes, won’t leave fingerprints or marks.

Cons: Brushed tapware is more likely to fade into a design than become a focal point of a design. You get little “bang for your buck”, so to speak.

Copper Tapware

One tapware trend that I don’t think has yet hit its peak is copper tapware.

Pros: There is nothing quite like copper tapware. It looks extremely elegant and will certainly add to the design, if not steal the show. It also has antibacterial properties and is able to heal itself if scratched.

Cons: Copper tapware is very pricey and requires more maintenance than other materials. If not polished regularly, it will form a patina. It may also be hard to find matching accessories and other fixtures.

Bronze Tapware

Bronze tapware offers a nice, soft design touch and will certainly be noticed.

Pros: Bronze tapware adds an elegant, yet modern, touch to any space, and it can be surprisingly affordable.

Cons: Like copper and brass, bronze requires more maintenance and will tarnish over time if not regularly polished. You may also find it hard to find matching accessories, like a towel rail for example.

Conclusion

Although your final decision may be based on what complements your design, the pros and cons of each finish may influence your decision to embrace or reject current tapware trends. Therefore, it’s worth giving these some consideration when shopping for tapware in Perth. If you’re considering updating your tapware, read our post on the benefits of new tapware to discover other benefits aside from aesthetics.

If you’re looking for tapware in Perth, look no further than Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Visit our online store today to view our entire tapware range. Shop online for delivery to Perth Metro areas.