White is no longer the only choice for a WC, bidet or basin. Coloured, matt and black sanitaryware (sanitari colorati, sanitari opachi, sanitari neri) is now one of the most popular ways to give a bathroom character. Here is how to choose a finish, get the whole suite to match, and keep it looking new.
The finishes available
Alice Ceramica pieces are made to order in Civita Castellana in four main finish families:
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Bianco: classic glossy white (White Shiny). The entry price.
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Colore: matt colours such as White Matt, Black Matt, Anthracite Matt, Grey Matt, Sand Matt, Coffee Matt, Rose Matt, Green Alpi, Laguna Matt, Zenzero Matt and Malva Matt.
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I Lucidi: glossy colours, new for 2026: Pino, Miele, Tabasco and Mirto.
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Materia: marble-effect ceramic, new for 2026: Carrara Marble and Marquinia Marble.
Some basins, such as the HIDE Washbasin Circle, also come in Bi-Color two-tone finishes: Gold, Platinum, White, Black and Grey. Prices rise from Bianco to Colore, then I Lucidi and Materia.
Matt or glossy?
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Matt has a soft, non-reflective surface. It looks contemporary and works well tone-on-tone with plaster, stone or wood.
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Glossy reflects light, which helps in a small or windowless bathroom, and gives colour a brighter, more saturated look.
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Dark colours such as Black Matt or Anthracite Matt make a strong statement. If you have hard water, white limescale and soap marks tend to show more on dark surfaces than on white, so wiping and drying after use makes a visible difference.
For styling ideas, see modern bathroom ideas with Italian ceramics.
How to get the whole suite to match
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Buy from one collection. A matt grey from one brand rarely matches another brand's grey.
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Check every piece offers your colour. Not every finish is available on every product. For example, the NUR Washbasin 55cm x 45cm comes in Materia marble-effect, but the WC NUR Hung does not. FORM and WUNDER pieces offer a shorter matt palette than HIDE, NUR and SPY. The finish list is on each product page.
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Ask for a physical sample. Colours on screen are only indicative. If you need an exact match with tiles or paint, ask us for a sample.
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Plan for the lead time. Coloured pieces are made to order and dispatched 2–3 weeks after your order is confirmed. Order the whole suite together.
Don't forget the small parts
A coloured WC with a generic white seat, or a black basin with a shiny plastic waste, spoils the look. Match the details too:
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Seats: collection seats, such as the NUR soft-close seat, come in the Colore and I Lucidi shades. See all seats.
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Drains: the Free Flow and Up and Down ceramic drains have a cover in the same finish as the basin.
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Siphons: the round siphon comes in chrome or matt black, and the MATH siphon in brushed steel or matt PVD gold, rose gold or black.
How to clean coloured and matt ceramics
Coloured and matt vitreous ceramic is cleaned exactly like white. The manufacturers' advice applies to matt, glossy and coloured glazes alike:
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Every day: water and a non-abrasive detergent (gel, cream or spray), with a soft sponge.
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Dry it: finish with a microfibre cloth to avoid water marks, especially on dark colours.
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Limescale: lay a cloth soaked in white vinegar over the marks and leave it to work, then rinse.
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Avoid: abrasive powders and scouring pads, very strong acids or alkalis (such as hydrofluoric acid or caustic soda), and solvents such as acetone.
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Seats: use only water and neutral soap. Solvents, acids and descalers can change the colour of a seat.
For stubborn limescale in the WC, see our guide on cleaning a toilet and removing limescale.
Watch it done
Browse videos on cleaning matt and black ceramic basins (YouTube).
Not sure which colour is available on the pieces you want? Send us the product codes and we will confirm the finishes, or arrange a sample.
Recommended products
Sources and further reading
