“The once humble kitchen tap has now taken centre stage,” says Rob Brooks, product manager for Prima Appliances, Sinks & Taps by PJH.

As kitchens evolve and cement their place as the heart of the home, homeowners are focusing heavily on making these spaces more than just function, first—they want their kitchens to be warm, homely, stylish and practical all at once. The kitchen tap plays a crucial role.

“As open-plan kitchens remain at the heart of our homes, staying ahead of evolving trends in this dynamic living space is crucial,” Rob adds. “The sink and tap zone, in particular, is key, serving not only as a design focal point, but also as a multi-functional area for daily use.”

Hot taps, filtered water taps and other variations are one of the most popular ways of achieving this duality. Rob notes that Prima’s hot taps, which are now available at entry-level prices, are proving incredibly popular thanks to their multi-functional and energy-saving properties.

                                                Prima Riace Italian Tap                                                                                                       Prima+ Hot Tap 

Act professional

PJH’s Italian-designed single-lever mixer tap range includes pull-out or adjustable spring spray taps, catering to consumers’ growing desire for more professional features in the kitchen. 

          Hotspot Titanium Vito 3N1

Here’s the twist

“Consumers are looking for added convenience in the kitchen,” confirms Dan Boulton, business and product development manager at Clearwater. “We’re baking and preparing meals from scratch more than we’ve ever done now, so it makes sense that the fixtures and fittings work harder too.

“And that includes the humble kitchen tap. From filtered and hot water taps to those that help us get chores done, such products offer retailers an opportunity to trade up from standard models.”

Clearwater’s Topaz Twist and Spray Tap transforms a standard kitchen tap into an “industrial-style, professional tap with one simple twist”. The twin-levered tap is fitted with an aerator to provide two flow types — non-splash aerated flow and needle-jet spray — that can be changed very simply and easily by twisting the flange.

These dual features allow for faster and easier rinsing of dishes, as well as more thorough cleaning of the sink after use. But its professional functionality doesn’t take away from its aesthetic appeal — the Topaz has a slimline design with minimalist, high-set knurled controls and is available in a key trend finish — Brushed Nickel.

Topaz Twist and Spray Tap from Clearwater

Back to black

As homeowners veer towards dark, natural colours and jewel tones in their kitchens, they are seeking out fixtures that blend in nicely or stand out as a complementary pop of colour.

Go for gold

However, taps in shades of gold have also become a favourite for contemporary kitchens to incorporate a more romantic or traditional feel without detracting from modern layouts or clean cabinetry lines.

“We’re seeing an increased tendency for people to opt for navy blues and dark greens when it comes to cabinet styles for their kitchen. This means they require taps that complement these finishes and metallic options really work well here,” says Anne Kaarlela, marketing communications and customer service manager for Europe at InSinkErator.

“Metallic taps contrast beautifully with modern blue and green kitchen tones, with styles such as Rose Gold and Brushed Gold standing out incredibly well. They help to give contemporary spaces a sophisticated feel and a hint of tradition, something which I think people love to blend together.”

Jeevan Seth, CEO at JTP, agrees: “Kitchen taps have become more than just functional. Consumers are wanting to make design statements, whether that be through a stylish, shapely design or through the finish of the tap.

“Long gone are the days of just one finish option for the kitchen tap – the trend for finishes such as brushed black, brushed bronze and brushed brass have become increasingly popular alongside the more matt black finishes, particularly as the kitchen has become more of a ‘lived in’ space in the home,” Seth adds.

JTP’s new kitchen mixer tap collection, Decor, allows consumers to be experimental with kitchen brassware. Decor’s models feature a textured handle with adjustable hose and come in four finishes—Brushed Brass, Brushed Black, Matt Black and Brushed Bronze. The company says these contemporary colourways can help to provide kitchens with a sleek and coordinated aesthetic.

JTP Decor Mixer Tap

Pictured at the very top: The new Pronteau  Scandi-X from Abode