Taps And Different Finishes

For a small item, a tap is quite big in the whole kitchen or bathroom scheme and over the years, it has developed from its humble beginning. In recent years, choosing taps is not simply about function anymore but also about the style. There are not only two or three choices but hundreds of kitchen taps and they're now exciting kitchen accessories that can be a statement piece instead of being a simple tube.

Taps come in so many different finishes with cutting-edge design and high performance technology and they set trends. There are even taps with LED lights, provide perfectly boiled water, with shower head attachments for the kitchen - so many are available that they can really assist with particular schemes.

If you are looking for inspiration on different tap finishes, below is the list of available finishes in the market.

Shiny finishes

Chrome finished taps became a standard in the 1930s and still the most popular finish as they can be sleek, traditional or minimalist. Chrome is a high shine finish and is durable and tarnish resistant and easily obtainable on a low budget.

Polished Nickel is shiny like chrome with a golden glow. It has a sophisticated look and works well with both traditional and contemporary styles. If left, this will develop an aged patina which is almost the same as what you see in older silver ware, although it is simply restored if maintained properly by polishing regularly.

Stainless Steel finish is perhaps the luxurious alternative if opting out of chrome taps. Stainless steel offers exceptional quality and long lasting finish which is slightly more stylish and hard wearing than a chrome finish.

Polished brass provides a more traditional look, although can be mixed with a contemporary sink for an up to date look or with a shaker or wooden theme for a Victorian look in the kitchen or bathroom.

Matte or subtle lustre finishes

Pewter is a brushed finished nickel that brings warmth and softness, especially in the bathroom. It works well with white tiles as background and also coordinates with granite countertops and splash backs. Pewter will not show water spots of fingerprints, so it does not look too dirty when forgetting to polish the taps.

Bronze is available in a variety of shades from light bronze to dark bronze. Dark bronze has a rich chocolate finish that gives it a bold and distinctive colour and it's a highly luxurious classic choice.

Other finishes available in the market are gold, hammered nickel brushed stainless steel. There are also enamel colours that give you more choices if you want statement colours in vibrant shades.