Black Tapware Demand Falls 55% as Gunmetal’s 61% Growth Signals a Safer Bet

Buildmat's analysis of aggregated Australian search data shows Australian renovators are moving away from bold, trend-heavy finishes toward colours that offer long-term design confidence.

Matte black demand has fallen 55% over the last five years as consumers pivot toward more durable and versatile options. Gunmetal has emerged as the leading "middle ground," with 61% growth, offering modern character without the boldness of black finishes.

Meanwhile, brushed nickel has surged 123% to become the nation's most popular finish, signaling a broad return to low-risk, timeless neutrals.

Source: Buildmat analysis of aggregated Australian Google data (2020–2025) with projections for 2026. This data models average monthly research activity across comparable coloured tapware categories to identify long-term renovation planning behaviour rather than confirmed sales.

“People still want personality in their bathrooms and kitchens, but they are more conscious of longevity than they were a few years ago. Gunmetal sits in that middle ground. It has more character than chrome or nickel, but it feels far less risky than matte black. That balance is what’s driving its growth,” says a Buildmat spokesperson.

Jacqueline Chen from interior design studio The Glade Design says, “Gunmetal is my go-to replacement for matte black. It has a richer, more luxurious feel, with added depth in the colour that black sometimes lacks. Think sleek, contemporary, and effortlessly high-end – that’s what gunmetal delivers.”

Meanwhile, popular Australian tapware brand, Nero Tapware, says “Gunmetal bathroom tapware offers a bold, industrial touch that’s quickly gaining popularity in modern homes. With its distinctive blue-grey metallic hue, it stands out as a unique alternative to more common finishes like chrome or matte black. It is darker than brushed nickel, more subtle than chrome and matte black, and effortlessly versatile.”

Gunmetal Emerges as the Future-Proof Middle Ground

Overall, our data points to a maturing renovation market. Decisions appear less driven by trend visibility and more influenced by durability, ease of maintenance, resale confidence, and the ability for spaces to evolve.

This has led to a clear base-and-accent approach, where neutral finishes form the foundation and colour is layered in intentionally rather than used as a dominant, all-or-nothing statement.

• Gunmetal interest in Australia is up 61 percent from 2020 to 2025 and is forecast to hold steady into 2026 (+0.2 percent).
• Matte black interest is down 55 percent over five years, marking the sharpest decline of any major finish.
• Brushed nickel has grown 123 percent since 2020 and is now the most searched tapware colour in Australia.
• Chrome interest has risen 94.7 percent over five years and is projected to grow fastest in 2026 (+20.3 percent).
• Brass interest is up 7.1 percent since 2020, with a 10 percent rebound projected for 2026.
• Gold is effectively flat (+1.1 percent over five years) and forecast to soften by 3.2 percent in 2026.
• White tapware interest is down 11.2 percent since 2020 and now sits at the lowest level of any major finish.
• By 2025, brushed nickel and chrome together accounted for around 60 percent of total Australian tapware interest, with coloured finishes making up the remaining ~40 percent.
• On a per-capita basis, Australia ranks among the most active markets globally for finish-specific tapware research.

Comparative Growth Across Other Popular Tapware Colours

Brushed Nickel Shows Sustained, Large-Scale Growth

Brushed nickel interest more than doubled over the five-year period, rising from an average of 1,300 monthly searches in 2020 to 2,900 in 2025.

Growth accelerated again after 2023 and continued through 2025. Projections for 2026 suggest further expansion rather than stabilisation, indicating brushed nickel has moved beyond trend adoption and into default, mainstream consideration. 

Chrome Shows Renewed Growth After a Stabilisation Phase

Chrome interest increased steadily over the five-year period, rising from an average of 152 monthly searches in 2020 to 296 in 2025.

After a relatively flat period between 2022 and 2024, growth accelerated sharply in 2025. Projections for 2026 suggest continued expansion, positioning chrome as the fastest-growing finish heading into 2026.

Chrome remains smaller than brushed nickel, but its growth trajectory indicates renewed relevance driven by durability, cost sensitivity, and long-term flexibility.

Gunmetal Shows Steady Growth Followed by Consolidation

Gunmetal interest increased consistently over the five-year period, rising from an average of 273 monthly searches in 2020 to 440 in 2025.

Growth occurred without a sharp spike or collapse, distinguishing gunmetal from other coloured finishes. Projections for 2026 suggest stabilisation rather than decline, indicating the category has reached maturity.

In absolute terms, gunmetal now outperforms white and rivals brass and gold, positioning it as the most resilient and future-proof coloured tapware option.

Matte Black Shows a Boom-and-Bust Pattern

Matte black interest declined sharply over the five-year period, falling from an average of 1,190 monthly searches in 2020 to 540 in 2025.

After peaking early in the decade, interest declined each year from 2021 onward. Projections for 2026 suggest further softening rather than recovery, indicating the category has moved from mainstream dominance into secondary consideration.

Despite the decline, matte black still attracts meaningful absolute interest, suggesting it remains relevant as a feature finish rather than a whole-of-home default.

Brass Shows Cyclical Growth and Stabilisation

Brass interest increased modestly over the five-year period, rising from an average of 548 monthly searches in 2020 to 587 in 2025.

Interest peaked in 2021 before softening and stabilising. Projections for 2026 suggest a rebound rather than continued decline, indicating cyclical demand rather than structural growth.

Brass maintains mid-tier interest and continues to play a role as a character-driven, design-led finish.

Gold Shows Early Peak Followed by Flattening

Gold interest remained broadly flat over the five-year period, moving from an average of 460 monthly searches in 2020 to 465 in 2025.

Interest peaked in 2021 before gradually softening. Projections for 2026 suggest a slight decline, indicating reduced momentum rather than collapse.

Gold remains a niche, statement-led finish that is sensitive to design cycles and perceived risk.

White Shows Gradual Decline and Loss of Differentiation

White tapware interest declined steadily over the five-year period, falling from an average of 152 monthly searches in 2020 to 135 in 2025.

Interest has declined each year since peaking in 2021. Projections for 2026 suggest continued softening, indicating white has lost its role as a distinctive finish.

White now records the lowest average monthly interest of any major tapware colour analysed.

Australia’s Global Grip on Tapware Finishes

Our research shows global interest for tapware colours ranges from around 250 to 3,400 monthly searches per finish, but Australia supplies 45–82 percent of that demand across every colour analysed.

Brushed nickel and chrome are especially concentrated here, with roughly 2,800 of 3,400 brushed nickel searches and 450 of 600 chrome searches coming from Australia, while gunmetal is heavily Australasian, with 56 percent of global interest from Australia and 18 percent from New Zealand.

By contrast, black has the broadest international spread, with Australia contributing 50 percent of global interest and the United States about 11 percent, and brass and gold show more distributed global demand, with Australia at roughly 45 percent and 60 percent of total interest respectively.

Australia as a Design‑Led Decision Maker

These patterns position Australia as an outsized driver of tapware finish decisions, especially for colours that balance style and practicality.

Compared with larger markets like the United States, where interest is more evenly spread, Australian demand is more concentrated and decisive around mid‑tone, future‑proof finishes.

Australia’s dominance in brushed nickel, chrome and gunmetal suggests renovators here prioritise long‑term outcomes – durability, maintenance, and resale – over short‑lived, fashion‑led statements.

Rather than simply following global trends, our research shows Australia is behaving like an early‑mainstream, decision‑driven market whose preferences are likely to shape international appetite for these finishes over time.

Where Coloured Tapware Lands by 2030

By 2030*, coloured tapware in Australia is expected to settle at roughly 35–40 percent of total tapware interest, signalling a stable secondary role rather than rapid expansion. This reflects a market that has matured beyond early trend spikes into slower, more deliberate adoption.

The projection assumes coloured tapware grows at a modest 1–3 percent a year beyond 2026 while traditional finishes like brushed nickel and chrome either stabilise or grow slowly as default, whole‑of‑home choices.

Under this scenario, colour remains a feature‑led – used selectively in kitchens, powder rooms and ensuites – rather than the automatic starting point.

Gunmetal is expected to hold its place as the leading coloured finish, bridging neutral and statement tones, while matte black, brass and gold continue as accent options rather than mainstream defaults.

*The 2030 projection uses a scenario-based model. It assumes coloured tapware demand grows at a moderated annual rate of approximately 1–3% beyond 2026. Traditional finishes are assumed to maintain or slightly increase share as the market prioritises durability, resale confidence, and long-term usability.

How to cite this data

Source: Buildmat analysis of aggregated Australian Google search data, 2020 to 2025, with 2026 projections.

About Buildmat

Buildmat is an Australian bathroom, kitchen and laundry retailer specialising in premium fixtures and fittings for modern homes. The range includes premium tapware, sinks, toilets, baths, vanities, and accessories designed to balance style, performance, and everyday usability. Buildmat works with leading local and international brands to help Australians create bathrooms, kitchens and laundries that are built to last.

Data source

All figures are derived from aggregated Australian Google search volume estimates, averaged monthly by calendar year. Projections for 2026 are based on observed historical trends. The data reflects consumer research and consideration behaviour and does not represent confirmed sales or installations.