How to choose tapware finishes: matte black, brushed nickel, gold and more

Picking a tapware finish feels like a small decision until you realise it shows up on every mixer, spout, shower rail, towel rail and toilet roll holder in the room. Get it right and the bathroom looks considered. Get it wrong and you end up with three slightly different blacks fighting each other. This guide walks through the common finishes, how they behave day to day, and how to choose one you will still like in ten years.

Start with the room, not the tap

Finishes change colour depending on what surrounds them. A brushed brass mixer looks warm and soft against a white subway tile, and almost green against a cool grey porcelain. Matte black reads crisp on a pale wall and nearly disappears on a charcoal one. Before you look at swatches, gather the things that will sit next to your tapware:

• a floor and wall tile sample, or a photo taken in daylight
• the vanity door colour or timber
• the benchtop or basin colour
• a note of which way the window faces

North and west facing rooms get warm afternoon light that pushes golds and bronzes warmer. South facing rooms and windowless ensuites under LED downlights make everything look cooler. That is why we always suggest comparing finishes in person, next to your tile, rather than from a screen.

The main tapware finishes compared

Chrome

Chrome is the classic for a reason. It is bright, reflective and suits almost any style, from a heritage terrace to a minimal new build. It is usually the most widely available finish across a range, so it is easy to match accessories later. The trade off is that water spots and fingerprints show, so it rewards a quick wipe after use. Browse chrome tapware.

Matte black

Matte black gives strong contrast and a graphic look, especially with white or light grey tiles. It hides water spots better than chrome, but it can show soap residue and hard water marks if left. Use a soft cloth and mild soapy water, and avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners. See our matte black range.

Brushed nickel

Brushed nickel sits between chrome and the warm metals. The brushed texture hides marks well, which makes it a practical choice for busy family bathrooms. Some brands offer both a cool and a warm version, so check which one you are looking at. Compare cool brushed nickel and warm brushed nickel.

Brushed gold and brass

Brushed gold adds warmth and pairs beautifully with timber vanities, terrazzo, limestone look tiles and creamy whites. Shades vary a lot between brands, from pale champagne to deep brass, which is why we recommend choosing all your gold pieces from one brand where you can. Browse brushed gold.

Gunmetal, carbon and bronze

Darker metallic finishes such as brushed gunmetal, brushed carbon and bronze give you depth without the flatness of black. They work well with stone look and concrete look tiles and with darker timbers. See gunmetal and brushed carbon and brushed bronze.

PVD and why it matters

Many coloured finishes are applied using PVD (physical vapour deposition), a process that bonds a very thin, hard layer of metal to the tap body. PVD finishes are generally more resistant to scratching and fading than a standard painted or plated coating. If you are choosing a coloured finish for a high use bathroom, it is worth asking whether the range uses PVD and what the finish warranty covers. Meir, for example, offers several PVD finishes such as PVD brushed nickel and Tiger Bronze.

Match the finish across the whole room

The finish name is not universal. One brand's brushed gold can be noticeably warmer than another's, and black varies from soft satin to deep matte. To keep the room consistent:

1. Choose one brand family for the wet area. Pick your basin mixer, shower, bath spout and wall mixer from the same range where possible, for example Phoenix Tapware or Meir.
2. Add accessories from the same finish. Towel rails, robe hooks and toilet roll holders sit at eye level and are easy to mismatch. See bathroom accessories.
3. Remember the small parts. Floor wastes, plug wastes and shower screen hardware all come in finishes too. A chrome waste in a matte black bathroom is a common oversight.
4. Mixing on purpose is fine. If you want two metals, make it deliberate, for example brushed gold tapware with matte black shower screen hardware, and repeat each finish at least twice.

Think about cleaning and water quality

Hard water leaves mineral spots on every finish, but they show most on chrome and dark matte finishes. Brushed finishes are the most forgiving. Whatever you choose, the care rule is the same: warm water, a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Avoid bleach, vinegar based cleaners, scourers and anything abrasive, because they can damage coatings and may affect your warranty. Always check the care instructions supplied with the product.

How to decide in one visit

Bring your tile sample and vanity colour to our Geelong showroom or Reservoir showroom. Hold two or three finishes against the tile under showroom light, then near the window. Most people know within a few minutes. Once you have a front runner, pick a backup in case a piece you need is not offered in that finish.

If you are planning a full renovation, we can also come to you for a free measure, and installation by our qualified trades can be quoted with your product list.

Common questions

Which tapware finish is easiest to keep clean?

Brushed finishes such as brushed nickel are the most forgiving because the texture hides water spots and fingerprints. Chrome and matte black show marks more, but they clean up quickly with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.

Can I mix tapware finishes in one bathroom?

Yes, if it looks deliberate. Keep one main finish for the tapware and use a second finish for a smaller group such as shower screen hardware, and repeat each finish at least twice in the room.

Do finishes match between brands?

Not always. The same finish name can look warmer or cooler from one brand to another, so we recommend choosing the wet area pieces from one brand and comparing samples side by side before you order.

Close to Thornbury, Preston and Northcote

Our Reservoir showroom is minutes from the inner north. See our local pages for bathroom tiles and tapware near Thornbury, bathroom renovations near Preston and the tile shop near Northcote, or browse all areas we serve.

Visit us or shop online

See the range in person at our showrooms: Geelong at 35A Ryrie St, Geelong VIC 3220, phone (03) 5223 2765, and Reservoir at 214 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073, phone (03) 9867 5051. Both are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 3:00pm, and Sunday by appointment only.

Planning a renovation? Request a quote and a free measure, and ask us to include installation by our qualified trades if you would like it quoted. Prefer to shop from home? Order online with Australia-wide delivery, or pick up from either showroom, usually ready in 2 to 4 days.