Is brushed gold still in style in 2026?

Yes — brushed (not polished) gold has held steady for several renovation cycles now, largely because the brushed texture avoids the dated, overly shiny look of 2000s-era polished gold. It's proven durable as a trend rather than a passing moment.

Are vessel basins hard to keep clean?

No harder than a standard drop-in basin — the main practical difference is choosing a tap with the right height and reach for the raised bowl. See our basin mixer vs wall mixer guide for how to get that right.

What finish will still look good in 10 years?

Chrome and Matte Black have the longest track record of staying current across design cycles — both read as neutral rather than trend-driven. If you want something warmer without the risk, Brushed Nickel sits in a similar low-risk category.

Trends & Inspiration

2026 Australian Bathroom & Kitchen Trends: What's In (and What's Fading)

The Aquaro Team · 29 August 2026 · 3 min read

A brushed gold gooseneck kitchen mixer over a stone benchtop in a warm farmhouse kitchen

Some years bring a genuinely new direction; most bring a shift in emphasis on ideas that were already there. 2026 is the latter — less about a single new look, and more about which of the last few years' trends have proven durable enough to keep specifying, and which are on their way out. Here's what we're actually seeing move through renovations and new builds.

Warm minimalism replaces stark white

The all-white, high-gloss bathroom is giving ground to warmer, more textured minimalism — travertine and limestone-look surfaces, warm plaster finishes, and timber vanities paired with softer, less clinical lighting. The lines stay clean; the palette gets warmer.

Brushed gold and brushed nickel overtake polished chrome

Polished chrome remains the safest, most universal choice, but it's no longer the default first pick it once was. Brushed Gold and Brushed Nickel have taken real market share, largely because the brushed texture reads as considered rather than shiny — and pairs more naturally with the warmer materials above. See our tapware finish guide for how each finish actually wears over time, not just how it photographs.

Matte black holds steady

Unlike some finish trends, Matte Black hasn't faded — it's settled into being a genuine neutral alongside chrome, rather than a passing statement finish. It remains the strongest choice for a contemporary, architectural look, especially against pale stone.

Vessel and above-counter basins are back

Above-counter vessel basins — sitting proud on the vanity rather than dropped in — are having a real resurgence, largely because they let the basin itself act as a design feature rather than disappearing into the counter. It's part of why we brought in the Aquaro Oval Basin: a soft, sculptural shape that works as a genuine focal point rather than just a fixture. The one thing to get right is tap height and reach — see our basin mixer vs wall mixer guide and our measuring guide for the exact numbers to check before you order.

Curved, sculptural silhouettes over sharp angles

Square-edged, industrial tapware profiles are softening into rounder, more sculptural forms — curved spouts, rounded levers, softer basin shapes. It's a quieter shift than the finish trends above, but a consistent one across the ranges we're seeing move.

Kitchen taps follow the bathroom's lead

Kitchens are catching up to bathrooms on finish variety — gooseneck mixers like the Aquaro Kitchen & Laundry Mixer in Brushed Gold and Gunmetal are showing up well beyond the chrome-and-stainless kitchens of a few years ago, especially paired with warm stone benchtops and matching cabinetry hardware. See our kitchen tapware guide for a full rundown of styles and finishes.

Matching hardware across the whole house

Where a few years ago it was common to treat each room's finish as its own decision, more renovations are now carrying one or two finishes consistently from the kitchen through to the ensuite — tapware, cabinetry handles, towel rails and even door hardware in the same family. See our heated towel rail buying guide for matching a rail to the rest of the room. It's a quieter trend than any single finish, but it's changing how people shop: increasingly by finish first, room second.

Water efficiency as a genuine selling point

WELS star ratings have shifted from a compliance checkbox to something buyers actively compare, particularly as water pricing and, in some states, minimum efficiency requirements for renovations have tightened. See our WELS ratings guide for how to read one.

What's fading

Polished (not brushed) gold — the shinier, more traditional gold finish of the 2000s hasn't made the same comeback as its brushed counterpart.
High-gloss everything — glossy tiles and high-shine surfaces are giving way to honed, matte and textured finishes across the board.
Stark black-and-white contrast schemes — cooling off in favour of the warmer, more layered palettes above.

Shop the range

Browse the full Aquaro range across tapware, kitchen and bathroom hardware, or jump straight to Brushed Gold or Matte Black finishes.

Frequently asked questions

Is brushed gold still in style in 2026?: Yes — brushed (not polished) gold has held steady for several renovation cycles now, largely because the brushed texture avoids the dated, overly shiny look of 2000s-era polished gold. It's proven durable as a trend rather than a passing moment.
Are vessel basins hard to keep clean?: No harder than a standard drop-in basin — the main practical difference is choosing a tap with the right height and reach for the raised bowl. See our basin mixer vs wall mixer guide for how to get that right.
What finish will still look good in 10 years?: Chrome and Matte Black have the longest track record of staying current across design cycles — both read as neutral rather than trend-driven. If you want something warmer without the risk, Brushed Nickel sits in a similar low-risk category.