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 like my wife and have your finger on the pulse in terms of interior and home design, then you will know that every component has a design element that needs to be decided upon, right down to your choice of tapware material.

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 (view our range)

Pros: Chrome seems to never go out of trend; 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: there’s no denying that black tapware is extremely modern, and because it’s so different from Chrome, it is eye-catching and can make a real design statement. It also complements a range of colour pallets making it very versatile. Moreover, the matt 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 really made an impact in 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 fashion. It also tarnishes and will need to be polished often to keep its finish. Lastly, it is somewhat expensive.

Brushed Tapware

Brushed tapware 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 pallets. Its brushed finish, like matt 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 pricy and require 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 required 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

While your choice may ultimately come down to what looks best in your design, the advantages and disadvantages of each may steer you to or away from one of the current trends. Therefore, it’s worth giving these some consideration when shopping for tapware in Perth.

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 and receive free shipping to Perth Metro areas.