Eye-catching gold and brushed brass bathroom taps with striking silhouettes and contrasting finishes are increasing in popularity. Sally Smith takes a look at the latest designs to arrive on the market.
Design-conscious consumers want to personalise their bathrooms adding products with decorative features and bold outlines with the brassware they choose. The latest ‘industrial-luxe’ trend is definitely on the rise, taking over from the more traditional chrome bathroom tap.
“Today's consumer is looking for a luxury finish in the bathroom with a personalised look to match the rest of their home,” says Ben Bryden, sales & marketing director at RAK Ceramics UK. “Consumer confidence is growing when it comes to experimenting with more adventurous bathroom design as bathrooms are now less confined to clinical white and polished ceramic. Brass accents in soft tones, with a brushed finish, are one of the go-to looks to create a luxury vibe in the bathroom. Brushed nickel and copper taps contrast beautifully with natural stone and wood for a timeless look,” he adds.
Nigel Palmer, marketing communications, House of Rohl, agrees. “The move away from chrome towards warmer toned taps with rich, dark bronze finishes is becoming more popular. The rigid formality of bathroom planning, dominated by minimalist products precisely matched, has been replaced by a more relaxed approach to design. This new wave is more personal, more eclectic and more expressive. Statement pieces should be embraced, especially where the design or the story behind the design sparks a connection.”
According to Ashley Sinclair, specification & design manager, BagnoDesign, Sanipex Group: “Gold is being used in a new way to add class and elegance where perhaps previously it may have been considered slightly too bling and this is particularly the case when combined with marble-effect porcelain and dark surfaces. Something that is important to think about is how a single brassware finish can be used across the whole bathroom, even through to the flush plate on the toilet for example, enabling the brassware to tie in with the whole look.”
Ronke Ugbaja, leader, product management, Lixil Emena and Grohe UK adds: “The bathroom tap was once seen as a product of functionality, but bathroom accessories are definitely being utilised as decorative pieces by customers. We’re seeing an increase in demand for bold metallic finishes, coloured brassware and ceramics in bold shapes. Designers can now position bathroom taps as a first step in achieving the bathroom of dreams – a statement centrepiece – as brands continue to broaden their selection of designs, features and colour finishes.”
Additionally, it’s worth retailers highlighting to customers that brands now offer matching ranges of bathroom accessories including flush plates, handles and shower fittings.
"These complete accessory packages offer the statement taps in matching brassware for the entire bathroom taking out an additional planning step for the consumer and helping to create a seamless aesthetic within the bathroom space," adds Ugbaja.
There are an increasing variety of mixed metallic and Matt Black finished single-lever spout taps and three hole wall or deck-mounted basin mixers coming onto the market.
Jorge Hernandez, product & design manager at Bathroom Brands Group [Crosswater] says: “Consumers are moving away from mainstream minimalism, opting instead for elements of colour, texture and playful shapes. Fluted finishes have become increasingly popular in bathroom design, and brassware is no exception.”
Uniquely designed taps with strong silhouettes will add the attention to detail and styling that customers are looking for in their bathroom designs.
Jeevan Seth, CEO at JTP, says: “Bathrooms are no longer being seen as just a functional space. Consumers are looking for coloured finishes, especially Brushed Brass and Matt Black. These options have continued to increase in popularity over the past few years as many homeowners look to design on-trend bathroom schemes. By opting for taps, radiators and accessories in a matching finish, a level of cohesion can be easily achieved throughout the space.”
It’s not just about black and gold brassware as Axor Hansgrohe offer a colour matching option for their One Collection taps to blend or contrast with any bathroom scheme.
‘Industrial luxe’ brassware is definitely a trend that is set to continue to grow as brands continue to develop their statement brassware collections.
