Add in one or two accent metals. I think, ideally, mixing two metals creates a cohesive look but you can do up to 3. You'll want to mix cool metals with warmer metals. Cool metals include chrome and nickel (and, to a lesser extent – black). Warmer metals include brass, oil-rubbed bronze, gold, and copper.
Top tip -- never, ever, EVER mix chrome and nickel. They are both silver tones, but with different undertones, and they will look awful together.
Be sure to avoid using acid, alcohol, or solvent-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can ruin or discolor the more delicate surface of the brushed nickel finish. Vinegar is a popular faucet cleaning solution, but should be avoided on brushed nickel.
Keep in mind that the finishes do give off an undertone. Chrome goes better with blues and whites, etc. Brushed nickel, which often gives off a yellow hue, goes better with earthy tone walls and creamy woodwork. Brushed nickel can look old an dirty. Different manufacturers have different tones.
Chrome Is Truly Timeless
Carol Kurth is an architect and designer, and she also serves as a member of Baldwin Hardware's Design Authority team. She describes chrome as a timeless finish, which should provide you with some reassurance if you're leaning towards using this metal in your kitchen or bathroom.
Polished Chrome: The Classic and Timeless Favorite
Polished chrome has been a staple in bathrooms for decades, thanks to its bright, reflective surface that adds a touch of elegance and cleanliness to any space. It's like the little black dress of bathroom fixtures: simple, timeless, and always appropriate.
While not required, matching fixtures can help a bathroom look more polished. Most bathrooms have a uniform style and use the same color palette throughout. The sink, faucet, towel bar, cabinet hardware, and lighting all fall within this category.
Brushed nickel finishes, which are rubbed with an abrasive while still at the factory to create their special look, are especially susceptible to damage from bathroom and kitchen cleaners that contain low-concentration phosphoric acid.
According to Logan, you should not use Clorox wipes on brushed nickel. 'You should not use products that contain alcohol or ammonia to clean brushed nickel faucets,' says Logan. 'If you do, you may affect the finish and shine of the nickel.
Timeless Brushed Nickel
For those who prefer subtle sophistication, brushed nickel is a classic that never goes out of style.
One of the questions our design consultants get the most when helping homeowners plan a bathroom remodel is, “Can I mix metal finishes, or do I have to stick to one?” The short answer is: yes, you can absolutely mix metal finishes in your bathroom!
Preventing Chrome from Rusting
Wipe your home's chrome fixtures with a towel when water is present. This prevents water from lingering on surfaces and rusting over time.
If timeless is what you're going for, polished nickel provides some depth and warmth with its richer gold hue. Deciding which finish you should choose on your project comes down to personal style but one key factor that you should keep in mind is not to mix polished nickel and polished chrome together.
Cool metals include chrome and nickel (and, to a lesser extent – black). Warmer metals include brass, oil-rubbed bronze, gold, and copper. For our bathroom, I chose to mix my dominant metal (polished chrome) with, you guessed it! BRASS!
Price Points: Evaluating Costs and Value
Due to the additional manufacturing steps required, brushed nickel faucets and bathroom fixtures usually cost more than chrome faucets. The brushed texture creates an aesthetic appeal that comes at a higher cost.
Top tip – never, ever, EVER mix chrome and nickel. They are both silver tones, but with different undertones, and they will look awful together.
No matter which finish you choose—brushed nickel or chrome, shiny or matte—using the same metal for the towel bars and the bathtub faucets gives an intentional feel. This is especially true if you also coordinate the space with a cohesive design that extends to the towels, bath mats, wall color, and flooring.
Using metals too similar to each other can make your space look sloppy and inconsistent. Some better metals to mix would be brushed gold and brushed nickel, champagne bronze and matte black, or chrome and matte black. These combinations give your space tasteful depth and visual interest.
Try pairing shiny, polished fixtures with matte metals for a clean, modern look. For a sleek bathroom, try brushed finishes in complementary colors. Oil-rubbed bronze allows you to see just hints of bronze, so look for other warm-toned metals like polished bronze, copper, or even gold.
Warm white: 3,000-4,000 Kelvin provide a yellow, white light. While they have warm tones, they are less warm than soft white. This color is preferable for bathrooms, as it provides a relaxing tone while giving sufficient lighting. This color temperature can be found in LED bulbs.
While it isn't necessary to match the frame to the fixtures, many appreciate a well-coordinated and streamlined look. There is such a wide variety of fixture finishes, it can be challenging to determine which finish pairs well with which frame style.
Best of all, given its longevity in design, chrome has already proven to be timeless, so it won't go out of style anytime soon.
Bright and White: The Everlasting Classic
Whether you opt for pure white, ivory, or eggshell white, these shades exude elegance and simplicity. White bathroom vanities blend effortlessly with any decor style, making them versatile and timeless.
Polished brass door knobs epitomise timeless elegance. Their warm, golden hue brings a touch of luxury to any door. Brass has been a favoured choice for door knobs for centuries due to its durability and ability to withstand the test of time.