Is Black Tapware a Fad or a New Classic?

Black has always been a timeless classic – just not in the bathroom. Fixtures and hardware have traditionally been silver or brass coloured, a bathroom staple since the invention of running water.

In recent years, though, black bathroom hardware has been on-trend and features in many modern renovations and new constructions. But is this trend here to stay, or just a passing fad? There is plenty to suggest that black hardware has the legs to become a permanent and popular fixture in bathrooms well into the future. Here is why:

Black bathroom hardware is accessible style

Many new trends come saddled with high price tags. Black tapware and other hardware are accessible and affordable for everyone, making it a striking, modern and on-trend way to bring style to your bathroom installation or renovation.

Black tapware is no more expensive than chrome or stainless steel, even if you choose matte options. Plus the materials used to create them are abundant so there will be no shortages to drive up the price.

It is an affordable way to really elevate your bathroom and make it look modern and stylish without having to break the bank.

They will match any bathroom decor

It doesn’t matter if you are going contemporary or modern, black hardware is going to be a perfect match. It goes with basic white tiling, bold colours, timber and every other design you can think of.

Black provides a natural contrast with white, timber and colours that can create a sleek or industrial look as you desire. In fact, black tapware is the best way to gain an instant style boost for your bathroom. You don’t need to change a thing except your tap hardware to make a huge difference.

Black tapware provides all the flexibility you need in your bathroom design and takes the headaches out of trying to match chrome, brass or stainless steel with your other bathroom components.

You won’t have to do as much cleaning

Traditional bathroom fixtures can be a magnet for fingerprints, smudges and soap stains. Black tapware has an electroplated surface that naturally resists those common issues so you will spend less time cleaning and your bathroom will always look its best.

This electroplating is also going to provide a shield against rust, corrosion and other blemishes that can occur is in a room that is constantly wet and humid. This means you will get a long life out of your black tap hardware.

Care and maintenance of your black tapware

Like any product, your bathroom hardware will only look great if you care for it properly. While the electroplated finish on black tapware will resist smudging, fingerprints, rust and corrosion, your taps may be prone to fading if not cleaned correctly.

Black tapware that fades to grey will look dull in appearance and won’t have the same pop or contrast with your other bathroom materials. There are simple care methods to follow to ensure your black tapware looks brand new for longer including:

• Use a microfibre cloth: Abrasive clothes and cleaning products can scratch your black hardware, so ensure you have a microfibre cloth handy to wipe them down regularly with.
• Don’t use regular cleaning products: Standard cleaning products include chemicals that can be harsh on the surface of black tapware because they contain synthetic or wax-based materials. Just the microfibre cloth and maybe a little bit of water is all you need.
• O-ring stains: This is inevitable with any taps. The best way to clean these is with a little bit of soapy water, taking care not to get the hard chemicals on the taps. You can use an abrasive cloth, but again, make sure you don’t accidentally scrape the taps.

The best advice we can give is just to keep it simple. A microfibre cloth and a mild soap used in water are all you need. Specialised or fancy cleaning agents could be a risk and could scratch or full your taps before their time, so just stick to the basics and they will look like new for much longer.

So what is the verdict? Fad or a trend that is here to stay?

Black tapware is being used in countries all over the world and is not showing any signs of slowing down. Because it is so versatile and flexible, it is rapidly becoming a product of choice for people from all walks of life.

Tradespeople are choosing it because it is a simple and affordable way to make a bathroom look sleek and modern, while homeowners also love the look and low maintenance.

There will always be a place for traditional chrome and stainless steel tapware, but black bathroom hardware looks like it is here for the long haul. You can safely invest in these taps and accessories knowing they will be on-trend for a long time to come.