Here at Plumbing World, we have all the best kitchen taps available in styles such as curved spout, dual lever, monobloc mixers, instant boiling water taps and many more! Mostly though, when looking to buy the best taps, it is more than just style, the colour or finish choice is also critical. In this article, we explore everything you need to know, including what colour taps are in fashion. We also provide a few examples from our collection of 200+ kitchen taps we list online.
How to choose the best taps for your kitchen
All plumbing fittings must be built to last, and that philosophy certainly applies to kitchen taps. After all, they are used day in and day out for potentially decades, and so must be made from high-quality, durable materials. Once you have chosen a highly durable tap, it is important to get it installed correctly by a dependable tradesperson, who will uninstall the old tap.
Your new kitchen tap must have the ability to precisely manage the required water temperature with separate hot and cold water adjustment features that are easy to operate, even for children! If you have a deeper sink (e.g., a Belfast), look for a compatible tap such as a flexible pull-out model.
Ensure your tap matches your décor needs, whether that is modern, traditional, industrial or your own unique design. We find brushed nickel finishes suit both modern layouts and classic traditional kitchens very well.
What are the best quality taps and what makes them durable?
Experienced property developers judge plumbing fixtures, such as taps, by their material strength and internal specifications. Selecting a premium modern kitchen tap made from solid lead-free alloys ensures maximum resilience against chemical corrosion. Domestic kitchens expose sink areas to regular friction during daily tasks. This demanding kitchen environment requires professional-grade solutions. Homeowners updating their kitchen décor need durable taps that maintain strong performance.
Opting for a high-performance tap provides physical durability because of superior internal engineering and components. These heavy-duty fittings use precision ceramic disc valves that replace rubber seals and help prevent dripping. This advanced internal design delivers a perfectly steady flow of water throughout years of heavy domestic use while helping users control water flow more accurately. Installing state-of-the-art hot water taps alongside an older traditional kitchen setup demands robust materials capable of withstanding never-ending boiling water. Prioritising these heavy-duty product features guarantees a trouble-free installation that easily satisfies your most demanding domestic building clients.
What colour taps are in fashion for kitchens
Navigating the latest colour trends enables installers to advise clients on choosing finishes and colour schemes that suit kitchens and cabinetry beautifully.
1) Brushed brass and gold - if your clients want striking luxury, installing a rich brass kitchen tap introduces an incredible warmth. These eye-catching gold profiles create a fantastic focal point when fitted through a standard tap hole layout. Combining these metal tones with a swan neck style suits high-end residential development. Two examples are:
o Brushed brass – Noveua Archway Lever Handle Monobloc Kitchen Sink Mixer - Brushed Brass
o Gold - QETTLE Original Round Spout 4 in 1 Boiling Hot Water Tap 7 Litre - Gold
2) Brushed nickel & stainless steel - muted metallic choices like brushed stainless steel or nickel are a popular choice in busy cooking areas. These hard-wearing surfaces hide water spots beautifully and stand up to everyday family usage. Two examples are:
o Brushed nickel – Bristan Renaissance Easy Sink Mixer with Easyfit Base - Brushed Nickel
o Stainless steel - QETTLE Signature Classic 4 in 1 Boiling Hot Water Tap 7 Litre - Stainless Steel
3) Chrome - traditional chrome options continue to dominate the UK market with their highly polished aesthetic appeal. A timeless choice, chrome delivers brilliant reflection and contends well with the demands of water pressure systems. Example - Roma Cathedral Kitchen Sink Mixer - Chrome
4) Copper and bronze - if a customer prefers authentic rustic styling, rich copper or weathered bronze options deliver immense historic character. Choosing a versatile kitchen mixer tap in these in-demand shades effortlessly upgrades the workspace. Two examples are:
o Copper – QETTLE Signature Classic 4 in 1 Boiling Hot Water Tap 7 Litre - Copper
5) Matt black - selecting a sleek kitchen mixer tap in brushed stainless steel provides a highly popular, understated look. This durable finish effortlessly hides fingerprints during busy washing-dish routines. For a premium contemporary feel, matt black taps provides an industrial edge that works brilliantly with handleless doors. Example QETTLE Original Round Spout 4 in 1 Boiling Hot Water Tap 4 Litre - Black
Chrome taps vs black taps vs brushed brass taps
Comparing these three dominant finish options helps you recommend the absolute right tap for your next job:
| # | Title | Chrome taps | Black taps | Brushed brass taps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleaning requirements | This classic polished metal surface wipes down easily with standard trade soapy water sprays | You must avoid harsh chemical cleaners to protect the delicate outer coating from peeling | The textured surface hides greasy fingerprints brilliantly during intensive everyday food preparation tasks |
| 2 | Cost and availability | These standard budget models offer the absolute lowest price option for simple refurbishments | Matte dark finishes cost slightly more due to specialised electroplating processes used in production | Luxury golden models usually sit at the highest price point across premium trade brochures |
| 3 | Damage resistance | The hardened electroplated layer handles accidental knocks from heavy cast-iron frying pans effortlessly | Surface scratches show up quickly if the underlying metal becomes exposed by rough handling | The wire-brushed finish disguises minor scratches and maintains its appearance for longer |
| 4 | Finish longevity | This traditional choice delivers exceptional long-term durability without fading or tarnishing over decades | Modern chemical bonding techniques ensure excellent resistance against peeling under normal domestic usage conditions | High-quality versions develop a beautiful subtle patina that enhances the character of traditional properties |
| 5 | Hard water areas | Polished surfaces show chalky mineral deposits quickly, requiring regular buffing with dry microfiber cloths | White calcium marks stand out aggressively against the dark background, looking untidy quite quickly | This clever golden texture effortlessly disguises white limescale build-up in hard water districts |
| 6 | Installation process | Standard plumbing assemblies drop straight into place using familiar top-fix hardware components securely | Installers must use smooth plastic-jawed wrenches to prevent marking the dark surface during tight assembly | Tightening the central fixing nut requires extra care to protect the premium decorative metallic finish |
| 7 | Overall product stock | Merchants everywhere keep massive amounts of these versatile plumbing fixtures ready for immediate collection | Most local trade counters now hold good numbers of these popular contemporary styling options | Finding a perfect match might require ordering ahead from specialist architectural luxury kitchen suppliers |
| 8 | Visual design style | This shiny mirror finish complements existing stainless steel appliances to deliver a timeless look | These industrial taps offer a simple modern look that suits handleless interior designs | This warm metallic shade introduces immediate high-end luxury while beautifully updating the home kitchen's style |
Matt, brushed and polished tap finishes explained
Selecting the perfect surface texture requires balancing your customer's design preferences with daily maintenance needs:
1) Matt finishes
Flat, non-reflective metal treatments like matt provide an incredibly sharp contemporary aesthetic that easily hides greasy fingerprint smudges. This subtle styling choice matches modern handleless cabinetry perfectly. A sleek design gives the completed project a seamless and sophisticated appearance. Matt surfaces deliver great modern convenience while updating the overall kitchen's style cleanly.
2) Brushed finishes
This style has a lightly brushed, non-shiny surface. It is not like a mirror, though; it is brilliant at hiding greasy fingerprints, water spots, and tiny scratches. This production method helps the tap withstand impact from heavy kitchenware equipment. The robust construction handles the toughest of kitchen environments. This resistant surface is ideal for hard water areas where homeowners are constantly filling kettles and using them for other everyday tasks.
3) Polished finishes
Classic high-gloss mirror surfaces deliver a brilliant, traditional shine that instantly brightens traditional cooking spaces. This traditional surface choice often uses high-quality internal ceramic disc cartridges to ensure a perfectly steady flow. Operating the smooth handles offers precise control when filling large pots under high mains water pressure. A polished finish looks spectacular.
What are the best taps for different sink styles?
Finding suitable plumbing fixtures relies on aligning them with the chosen sink design:
1) Belfast and Butler sinks - these traditional deep clay features look best paired with a high-arching antique brass deck-mounted option. This setup works perfectly
2) Undermount sinks - installing an advanced monobloc tap completely underneath solid stone counter edges maximises usable prep space while ensuring clean lines
3) Inset sinks - this straightforward top-mounting style provides a highly stable platform that easily accommodates heavy commercial-grade kitchen mixers over the lip
4) Double-bowl sinks - selecting a multi-functional model with a built-in spray head and spray function makes rinsing separate food prep zones incredibly fast and efficient
5) Single-bowl sinks - bespoke properties with limited worktop area benefit immensely from a compact single lever tap maintain maximum counter space
6) Granite and composite sinks - stark metal finishes provide a bold contrast with durable quartz composite sink installations
7) Stainless steel sinks - a premium minimalist design coordinates seamlessly with standard catering-grade metalwork to ensure an incredibly hard-wearing workplace area
8) Ceramic sinks - heavy fireclay basins require premium fixtures with a robust build quality to withstand decades of intensive domestic use cleanly
Popular tap styles for contemporary interiors
Contemporary kitchens often feature a range of popular tap styles. We summarise these below:
1) Wall-mounted tap options
Installing pipework inside brickwork creates a clean and uncluttered look. This specialist installation method helps save space behind deep wash basins while keeping your work surfaces immaculate. You must chase the pipework deeply into the stud partition walls during the initial structural routing phase. It requires serious patience. These brassware fittings need careful copper soldering to avoid leaks inside wall cavities. Choosing this concealed installation route results in a beautifully minimalist appearance that clients love.
2) Deck-mounted tap options
Fixing your plumbing hardware through the counter surface remains the absolute fastest method for trade installers. This reliable positioning ensures all flexible tail hoses remain fully accessible inside the sink base cabinet. Deck-mounted taps make future maintenance work exceptionally easy for domestic emergency plumbing callouts. This standard approach keeps installation costs down. Most contemporary manufacturers use standard sizing parameters to guarantee their replacement models drop in without structural modifications. This hassle-free compatibility makes them the default choice for rapid turnaround property refurbishment projects.
3) Waterfall tap designs
These eye-catching architectural fixtures feature a wide, open channel that delivers a beautifully dramatic sheet of water. Waterfall taps require a completely flat, level installation to ensure the cascading water runs straight. This striking luxury styling creates an immediate focal point within modern high-end home refurbishments.
However, these open designs require excellent mains water flow to maintain their signature cascading visual effect under load. You should carefully check the building's static water pressure before committing to this specific design path.
4) Pull-out spray kitchen taps
These high-end commercial style taps with a two-way handspray offer great versatility for modern homes. Pull-out spray kitchen taps have an extended reach and enable the user to direct the pressurised water stream exactly where required easily. This targeted washing action makes filling pots and scrubbing greasy oven racks exceptionally easy work.
The flexible extension of a pull-out tap is very useful during installation. Selecting a model featuring a durable, robust construction guarantees reliable performance across thousands of cycles.
What are the best kitchen taps that suit both modern and traditional spaces?
Transitional style kitchen taps are the answer! They offer a balance between traditional design and contemporary minimalism. Here are a few bullets detailing the features to look for to help you choose the right kitchen tap to straddle all eras:
• Fluted collars - additional features like this feature in period styling, but work well in modern settings too
• Soft square edges - these blend clean, modern straight lines with rounded corners, which often feature in classic designs
• Subtle knurling - these have a modern industrial style texture but mimic the classic looks of artisan craftwork from bygone eras
• Universal appeal finishes - look to buy universal but durable finishes such as brushed brass, matt black or stainless steel
• Versatile spout shapes - a kitchen sink tap with spout features such as Gooseneck (High-Arc) or U-shape work well with any décor
Related content
We also recommend reading our Bathroom Taps Buying Guide and a related blog article - “Types of Taps Explained: Learn How to Match Tapware Styles to Different Types of Taps” as a part of your further reading.
Conclusion
A solid, durable construction, flexibility, ease of use, and scratch-resistance are all important features, as are colours and finishes. Our article focus has been choosing colours and finishes when buying the best taps. We investigated "What colour taps are in fashion", including options such as chrome, black, brushed brass, matt and polished options.
Whether you need wall-mounted, deck-mounted, waterfall, pull-out, lever style and others, we have the best quality taps available when you browse through our extensive selection. Use the contact details below if you need to discuss the specifics of any of our range.
Contact us
Contact Plumbing World in the following ways to buy the best kitchen taps from our premium taps range:
• Call us - 0121 508 9987
• Email us - onlinestore@plumbingworld.co.uk
• Additional details – click our Contact Us Page
• Live Chat – simply click the blue button at the bottom left of any page