The Honest Guide to Brushed Gold Taps: Why We Are Obsessed (And You Should Be Too)
Let’s be real for a minute. If we had suggested gold taps to you five years ago, you probably would have laughed. You might have pictured a gaudy 1980s hotel bathroom. Or maybe your grandmother’s guest powder room that hasn’t seen a renovation since the Beatles were together. We get it. Gold used to mean shiny, yellow, and loud. It had a bad reputation for peeling, looking tacky, and costing a fortune.
But things change. Fast.
We are witnessing a massive shift here at The Blue Space. The design world has done a complete 180. Homeowners are moving away from the standard chrome we’ve all used for decades. They are even drifting away from the matte black trend that dominated Instagram for the last few years. People want warmth. That is exactly where brushed gold tapware comes in.
First Off: What Actually Is It?
This isn’t just standard gold paint slapped onto metal. High-quality brushed gold taps are almost always made using a process called PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition). We won't bore you with the heavy science lesson, but essentially, it means the colour is bonded to the metal at a molecular level in a vacuum.
Why does that matter to you? Durability.
Unlike the old-school electroplating that would chip off if you looked at it the wrong way, PVD finishes are tougher than the metal underneath them. They are designed to handle the daily grind of a family home. The "brushed" part refers to the texture. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny lines etched into the surface. This breaks up the light. Instead of a mirror-like reflection that highlights every smudge, you get a soft glow. It feels architectural.
Where Does It Actually Work?
You might be thinking this only works in high-end mansions or luxury day spas. Not true. We see brushed gold working in tiny apartments, family homes, and massive builds alike. It’s surprisingly versatile, but you have to pair it with the right palette.
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The Modern Coastal Look: This is huge in Australia right now. Think crisp white cabinetry, light oak timber vanities, and soft grey tiles. Throwing chrome in there is fine, but it can feel a bit cold. Adding gold brings warmth.
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Moody & Industrial: If you are brave enough to go dark, gold is your best friend. If you have concrete floors, dark grey tiles, or even navy blue cabinetry, gold creates a killer contrast. It pops against dark backgrounds in a way that chrome or black just doesn't.
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The Classic Hamptons: This is a no-brainer. Pair it with white shaker cabinets and marble benchtops. It feels timeless. It feels expensive. It’s the jewellery of the bathroom.
Choosing Your Weapons: A Breakdown of Types
Okay, so you know you want the finish. Now you need to figure out the plumbing. There are so many configurations, and picking the wrong one can be a headache for your plumber (and your wallet). Let’s look at what is available and why you might choose one over the other.
The Basin Config
This is the starting point for most bathrooms. The most common choice is one of our basin mixers. Why? Because it’s a single hole in your vanity. It’s easy to install, easy to use, and if you ever want to change it later, it’s a ten-minute job. If you want that "high-end hotel" feel, look at the taller bathroom taps & mixers that mount directly to the benchtop next to a vessel basin.
But maybe you want to keep the benchtop clear? Cleaning around the base of a tap can be annoying. We love a wall-mounted setup for this exact reason. You can grab a dedicated wall basin bath mixer set which puts the spout and the handle on a single backplate on the wall. It looks super clean.
However, you need to plan this during the rough-in stage. You need the timber noggins in the wall to support it before you tile. If you prefer separate hot and cold controls—maybe you have a heritage home or just like the symmetry—check out the bathroom taps three piece options. They give you precise control over the flow.
Already have the plumbing in the wall but just need new hardware? You’ll want wall top assemblies for the taps and separate basin spouts. This gives you total freedom to mix and match styles. You can pair a curved spout with cross handles, or a square spout with levers.
For a really minimalist look, look into progressive mixers. These are cool. It’s just one handle. You twist it, and it starts cold, then gets warmer the further you turn. It keeps the aesthetic incredibly simple.
If you are just browsing generally, our main bathroom basin taps collection houses all these styles in one place so you can compare them side-by-side.
The Shower and Bath Zone
The shower is the sanctuary. You don't want to be fighting with clunky handles with soapy eyes. Shower mixers in brushed gold look stunning against white subway tiles or dark stone. The contrast is everything.
If you have a shower over the bath, or a bath in the same wet zone, you have a few options. You can use a diverter to switch the water flow, or just check out our combined shower and bath mixers. These keep the wall looking tidy by combining functions onto one plate.
Now, let's talk about the bath itself. If you have splurged on a freestanding tub, you simply cannot use standard wall taps. It won't do the bath justice. Nothing beats freestanding bath mixers. They stand on the floor like a piece of modern sculpture. Just be aware, you usually need to run plumbing through the floor slab for these.
For built-in baths, you’ll need bath tub spouts. The trick here is the "reach." Make sure the spout is long enough to clear the wide edge of your bath so water doesn't dribble down the side. Alternatively, keep it simple with bath fillers which can often manage flow and temperature in one unit.
The Kitchen Workhorse
Kitchen taps in brushed gold are a massive trend right now because they turn a functional item into a feature. We particularly love a gooseneck sink mixer. The height is practical—it lets you fit big pasta pots and buckets underneath easily.
If you cook a lot, you need functionality. A pull out sink mixer is a game changer. You can pull the nozzle down to rinse veggies or clean the corners of the sink. Once you have one, you never go back. It’s the best of both worlds. Style and function.
We also stock standard sink mixers in various shapes (square, curved, angled). Or, if you are renovating an older home and keeping a double bowl sink with separate holes, a 3-piece sink set might be exactly what you need to retrofit without cutting new holes in the bench. For those who love a bit of chef-style control, check out hob mixers. They mount horizontally and look very professional.
The Specialty Stuff
Sometimes you need something specific. We cater to that too. We have accessible taps with longer handles that are easier to turn for those with limited mobility. We also have high-tech electronic sensor taps which are amazing for hygiene (and for stopping kids from leaving the water running). And for the health-conscious, take a look at our lead free taps which are becoming the new standard in safety.
Why Should You Actually Do It?
We aren't just trying to sell you on a colour. There are practical, day-to-day reasons why we recommend this finish to so many customers who walk through our virtual doors.
1. It Hides the Mess
This is the big one. If you have ever owned chrome taps, you know the pain. You clean them, and five minutes later, they are covered in fingerprints. Matte black is great, but it can show toothpaste splatters and dust. But brushed gold? The texture and the lighter colour hide water spots and fingerprints incredibly well. If you have kids, this finish is a lifesaver. It looks cleaner for longer.
2. It Warms Up the Room
Bathrooms can naturally feel sterile. It’s a lot of cold, hard surfaces. Tiles, glass, porcelain, mirror. Adding a warm metal instantly balances that out. It makes the space feel cozy and habitable. It prevents your bathroom from looking like an operating theatre.
3. It Ages Well
Because PVD is so tough, these taps tend to look brand new for years. They don't tarnish like raw copper or brass. What you buy on day one is what it looks like on day one thousand.
Navigating the Brands (This Matters)
Here is a secret: Not all gold taps are created equal.
We always tell our customers to try and stick to one brand for all their tapware in a single room to ensure the colours match perfectly.
We stock the best of the best, and here is how they differ:
If you want Australian design with a serious reputation for quality, look at Phoenix. They are iconic. Their "Vivid Slimline" range is a staple in Aussie renovations. Another Aussie favourite is Meir; their gold is particularly stunning, slightly deeper, and they have an incredible warranty.
For something that feels solid and reliable, Caroma and Dorf have been around forever for a reason. They know plumbing. If you are looking for sleek, modern lines, check out Fienza or Nero. Nero, in particular, does a great texture on their knurled handles.
If you are doing a kitchen renovation, you simply must look at Oliveri and Clark. The beauty here is that they make sinks too. So you can buy a gold sink and a gold tap and know, for a fact, that the metals will coordinate perfectly.
For those wanting something a bit unique, take a peek at Indigo or Modern National. They often have shapes you won't see elsewhere. Or check out the beautiful craftsmanship of Turner Hastings if you are going for that farmhouse/Hamptons aesthetic. We also carry Seima and Suprema for reliable quality at great price points.
Don't Forget the Little Things
This is where people trip up. They buy the stunning mixer, install it, and then realize... the plug in the basin is chrome. Or the bottle trap underneath is white plastic. It ruins the illusion.
When you are buying taps, you need to think about the ecosystem of the room. It looks disjointed if your metals don't match. Most of the brands we listed above also make accessories like towel rails, toilet roll holders, and robe hooks to match their tapware lines. It makes a huge difference to the final feel of the room.
Another thing to remember is your spouts. Specifically, the length. If you buy a deep basin, you need a long spout. If you buy a shallow basin and a long spout, the water will splash all over your trousers every time you wash your hands. It’s a balance. Measure twice, buy once. Ask us if you aren't sure.
The Boring (But Essential) Stuff: Care and Maintenance
People get scared of gold because they think it’s fragile. It isn’t. It’s tough. But you do need to treat it with respect if you want it to last twenty years.
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Rule #1: No harsh chemicals. No bleach. No acidic cleaners. No "power" bathroom sprays. These can eat away at the surface over time.
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Rule #2: Definitely no abrasive scourers. Steel wool is the enemy. It will scratch the brushed finish and once it is scratched, you can't buff it out.
The best way to clean them? It’s boring, but it works: warm soapy water and a soft microfiber cloth. That is it. Dry them off after cleaning to stop water spots from forming. If you do that, they will look brand new for years.
