Matte black has become a staple in home design, but it’s not just showing up in light fixtures, faucets and cabinet hardware. This versatile and durable finish is popping up everywhere, from bathtubs to wainscoting.

“Matte black goes with many wood tones or paint colors, and blends well in any design aesthetic,” Normandy Designer Becca Ruggiero says. “It reads neutral, but it can be casual or trendy depending on how you use it. It feels more like a classic than a trendy option.”

When it comes to matte black in fixtures like faucets and handles, design versatility isn’t its only benefit. It doesn’t show fingerprints and smudges like other classic finishes such as chrome and polished nickel.

“Many clients often ask for something that’s not shiny because they’re raising kids or just have a very busy household and don’t want to be cleaning constantly,” Becca says. “A matte black finish will hide fingerprints and food smudges, which can be more visible with other finishes such as polished chrome.”

The key to successfully incorporating matte black is all about the application, according to Becca. “A combination of a simple white cabinet style and plain matte black hardware is very straight forward,” Becca says. “But if you choose a dressier cabinet design or a more decorative or larger piece of hardware — or textured or color tile — it can really elevate the design.”

Matte black can read traditional to modern and everything in between. “A light wood stain on something like rift-cut white oak with matte black feels more contemporary, while shaker-style cabinets with larger black knobs is more transitional,” Becca says.

The other metals you choose to pair it with can make the look more sophisticated. “Matte black is a universal color so you can pair it with shiny chrome, or brushed nickel, or a brushed gold finish for a nice contrast,” Becca says. “Kohler has some stunning combination-finish faucets with silver-black and gold-black.” But consider staying away from oil-rubbed bronze or titanium because they’re too close to black and don’t offer enough contrast.

“Matte black can be really sophisticated if you use it in the right application,” Becca says. “When it comes to neutral tones that go with anything, matte black is a great finish to have in your back pocket.”

Choosing finishes is just one small piece of your remodeling puzzle. If you’d like to meet with Becca to discuss more about your home remodeling project, schedule a free consultation. For updates on projects and to find more design inspiration, you can follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest. We’ll even bring the latest in remodeling right to your email inbox, just sign up for our newsletter.