You’ve made a brilliant design choice. By moving away from standard white and choosing a beautiful coloured or textured PVC cladding, you’ve created a stunning canvas for your new bathroom. Whether you’ve opted for a calming sage green, a dramatic slate effect, or a sophisticated mineral blue, the backdrop is set.
Now for the fun part: the finishing touches. The accessories you choose—your taps, shower head, towel rail, and even the loo roll holder—are the jewellery of the room. They have the power to tie the whole look together, turning a well-designed space into a truly spectacular one.
But with so many options for finishes, where do you start? Here at Cladding Monkey, we’ve seen countless bathroom transformations. Let us guide you through the most popular choices and how to pair them perfectly with your new coloured walls.
The Big Three: Understanding Your Finishes
While there are many finishes available, three key players dominate the scene right now, each offering a distinct personality.
1. Matt Black: The Modern Statement Bold, contemporary, and effortlessly cool. Matt black fittings have exploded in popularity for a reason. They provide a sharp, graphic contrast that makes any colour pop.
- Best for: Creating an industrial or minimalist look.
- Think: Taps, shower frames, radiator valves, and even black-framed mirrors.
2. Brushed Brass & Gold Tones: The Touch of Luxury Warm, inviting, and unashamedly elegant. Brass and gold-toned accessories bring a sense of warmth and luxury to a bathroom. The ‘brushed’ finish is particularly popular as it’s less ostentatious than polished gold and much better at hiding fingerprints and water spots.
- Best for: Adding warmth, creating a ‘boutique hotel’ vibe, and complementing natural colours.
- Think: Taps, shower heads, cabinet handles, and light fittings.
3. Polished Chrome: The Timeless Classic You can’t go wrong with a classic. Chrome is the versatile, safe, and timeless choice that works with almost any colour scheme. It’s bright, clean-looking, and easy to find a complete matching range for every conceivable fitting.
- Best for: A clean, fresh, and traditional look that will never go out of style.
- Think: The complete solution. Easy to match everything from your waste to your taps.
Perfect Pairings: Matching Finishes to Your Cladding
So, how do you match these finishes to your chosen wall colour? Here are our top suggestions:
If you have Grey Cladding (e.g., Slate, Concrete, or Light Grey Stone)…
You’ve chosen the ultimate neutral, so you have plenty of freedom!
- Matt Black: This is a killer combination. It creates a sleek, modern, and monochromatic look that feels very high-end and industrial.
- Brushed Brass: Want to warm up the cool tones of grey? Brass is the perfect answer. The contrast is sophisticated and prevents the room from feeling too sterile.
- Chrome: This pairing creates a soft, subtle, and clean aesthetic. A timeless choice for a serene and calming space.
If you have Blue or Green Cladding (e.g., Sage Green, Olive, or Mineral Blue)…
These natural, earthy tones are crying out for a touch of warmth.
- Brushed Brass: This is the hero combination. The warm metallic tones against a rich green or deep blue are simply stunning, creating a look that is both natural and luxurious.
- Matt Black: For a more contemporary, dramatic take, matt black provides a striking contrast that sharpens the look of these softer colours.
- Chrome: Chrome can work well, particularly with lighter pastel blues or greens, to create a fresh, airy, and slightly retro feel.
If you have Beige or Earthy Cladding (e.g., Travertine or Beige Stone)…
You are already in a warm, neutral space, so your accessories will define its final character.
- Brushed Brass: Leaning into the warmth with brass creates a harmonious, tonal, and very relaxing spa-like environment.
- Matt Black: If you want to add some modern edge and prevent the beige from looking too traditional, matt black provides a welcome and grounding contrast.
- Chrome: A chrome finish will give a clean, contemporary lift to the earthy tones of the cladding.
Don’t Forget the Details!
Consistency is key. Once you’ve chosen your hero finish, carry it through the entire room for the most cohesive look. Think about:
- Taps & Shower Fittings: The most obvious starting point.
- Towel Rail & Radiator Valves: Don’t let a standard white or chrome valve spoil the effect.
- Toilet Flush Button: A simple swap that makes a huge difference.
- Cabinet Handles & Drawer Pulls.
- Mirror Frame: A black-framed mirror or a brass-framed one can be a stunning focal point.
- Light Fittings: Wall lights beside a mirror should match the finish.
Choosing your accessories shouldn’t be an afterthought; it’s the final creative flourish. It’s your chance to stamp your personality on your new space and create a bathroom that feels uniquely, wonderfully yours.
