Are black taps a good or bad idea in the modern home?

Obviously, with the topic of our article, we are talking about black tapware — the bold, trending choice that has become increasingly prevalent in new builds and renovations throughout the country. In fact, at around 10 years or so, they have probably been around longer than you might think which begs the question, at least in the back of the mind, 'Are black taps a good idea or a bad one?'.

To be transparent from the outset, we are unequivocal fans of the use of black for kitchen and bathroom tapware which is why we'll start on the positive points. As you'll soon see, these impact your spaces in different ways showing the impact they can have on many levels.

Given the relatively recent emergence of black tapware as a feature in the home, they can quickly give a space a modern look and feel. Their striking appearance can serve as bold accents which are a favoured approach of minimalist interior styling, an increasingly popular trend in Australia. Sleek and sophisticated, they effortlessly enhance the modern appeal of kitchens and bathrooms.

Black taps are easily matched with other black fixtures in a space like shower heads and rails, cabinet pulls and handles, lighting fixtures and more. This allows for seamless consistency in design resulting in a cohesive and thoughtfully curated look. It's a visually strong theme to go for which can show confidence in one's personal taste and style.

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There's a degree of versatility that you can enjoy with black tapware as it can be used as a complementary or contrasting option in a space. For example, they can pair wonderfully with dark countertops and tiles in a complementary way or act as a vivid contrast against light shades of the same. This means it can work in most colour schemes and settings in the present as well as those that might change in the future.

While black tapware has attracted a fair number of fans in recent years, it still has a fairly limited presence in the residential market, especially compared to chrome and stainless steel finishes. This may inevitably change in time, but for now, it still offers a unique touch that will differentiate your kitchen or bathroom from the rest.

While all the positives so far have been about aesthetics, there are a few practical reasons to go for black taps. One of these hides water marks and fingerprints, especially for matte black tapware, which are otherwise quite apparent on polished finishes. This gives these taps a cleaner look without the need for constant wiping and maintenance — a quality that is more beneficial than it sounds.

Most high-quality black tapware is finished using advanced techniques like electroplating or powder coating, which can provide a durable surface less prone to corrosion and tarnishing, especially compared to alternatives without these treatments. This allows them to retain their original look for longer, reducing the need for ongoing replacements.

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Because black tapware is widely seen as a well-suited option for modern and contemporary spaces it invariably often comes with innovative features. These include the likes of hands-free operation, integrated filtration systems, water-efficient technology and more. In stating the obvious, this improves the functionality and convenience of the taps improving your daily routines.

With the positives covered, and for the sake of balance, we now look at some reasons why black taps might not be the most suitable choice for your home. Some of these may or may not be relevant but should be at least acknowledged so you can make an informed final decision.

In areas with hard water like parts of Western Australia and South Australia, black taps can show limescale and mineral deposits more clearly than lighter-coloured taps. These white deposits contrast against the dark finish which essentially means more cleaning to maintain a tidy look. This can be easily done with mild soapy water and a microfiber cloth so is not a big drama but one to be aware of.

Scratches will stand out more on any coloured tap compared to traditional stainless steel taps, a fact that one will need to be at peace with from the outset. Scratches are perhaps more pronounced with black tapware, especially glossy taps, due to the bold look which draws the eye. High-quality coatings are fairly strong these days and so long as you're careful and keep the scourers away, you can prevent scratches from happening.

If you live in an older home with a rustic or coastal style interior, then matte black taps may be hard to incorporate as they tend to be designed with contemporary style interiors in mind. It's not to say it's impossible as there will probably be a solution that suits you somewhere — it just may take you a while to find it. Also, if you're trying to colour coordinate with features like other tapware or cabinetry hardware, you'll quickly discover there a quite a few shades of black on the market which can make precise matching a little challenging.

Related article: Stunning colours, materials and finishes for bathroom taps

Similar to a previous point, any coloured coating has the potential to fade over time, again the result being more obvious with a stark option like black. Care and maintenance are the key to mitigating this as well as a strict no harsh chemicals policy. Black tapware reacts poorly to strong cleaners and rough surfaces so again emphasising the use of a soft microfiber cloth and mild soapy water is crucial.

With black tapware having been in market for about a decade now, we can feel pretty confident that it is a style of tapware that is here to stay. However, nothing is an absolute certainty and while it suits a modern and contemporary aesthetic at this stage, it could be usurped by another choice. The risk is fairly small but one worth bearing in mind.

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As we said earlier, we are strong fans of black taps in the modern home. The strong, emotional impact they can have, their sleek innovative designs, the styling opportunities and the masking of fingerprints and water stains are all big wins for homeowners. The minor challenges they do present can be largely negated with a bit of care and attention and if you're willing to invest in that, you'll be able to embrace and enjoy all their benefits.