Brushed nickel is warmer in color, and stainless steel is in between the two. Stainless steel also usually has a brushed or satin finish. Of these three metal finishes, stainless steel is the only type that can be solid all the way through.
The most obvious difference between satin nickel and brushed stainless steel is their appearance. Satin nickel has a softer, matte look, while brushed stainless steel has a more polished look.
The different finish names are used to differentiate between kitchen (Stainless Steel) and bathroom (Brushed Nickel) fixtures. These two finishes will complement each other, but it is recommended to use the same brand throughout your design wherever possible if you want your fixtures to match each other perfectly.
Stainless steel is a classic choice for hardware and fittings because it complements most home styles. Brushed nickel and stainless steel often look very similar, but the difference is in their underlying tone: brushed nickel tends to have a golden or brownish tint while stainless steel has a faintly blue tone.
Brushed nickel fixture coating is semi-satin, so it isn't very shiny or matte. It has a non-reflective texture and dull appearance. Brushed nickel finish is a classic finish that is often used on metal products, such as appliance pulls and door handles.
Ideally, then, if you have stainless steel appliances, you would incorporate a maximum of two other metal finishes in your kitchen. However, if one of your metal finishes is brushed nickel, it could be considered the same as brushed stainless steel, since the two finishes are so similar.
Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect.
If brushed nickel is at the top of your list when selecting new cabinet hardware or faucet finishes for your kitchen or bathroom, I think you can rest easy if you make this your selection as it is a great choice. It is a timeless finish you will continue to love through the years, as many other trends come and go.
Polished Nickel is a highly reflective warm toned silver. Satin Nickel is a slightly glossy, brushed warm toned silver. Stainless Steel is a matte, brushed warm toned silver.
Brushed nickel, also called satin nickel, has a more subdued, matte finish, lending itself to a more traditional look. Brushed or satin nickel also works well in both light and dark spaces and with just about any color scheme.
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.
Blues and greens make attractive pairings with brushed nickel. You might like a navy or nautical theme with silver and blue as the main colors. Paint the walls dark navy and decorate with silver accessories such as soap dishes and miniature boats that match with the brushed nickel fixtures.
Satin/Brushed Nickel (Warm Undertone)
Satin Nickel is very close in appearance to stainless steel, but is available in a much wider variety of design styles. One of the most popular finishes, it is an available finish option for nearly every hardware design.
Brushed nickel gets its slightly matte appearance from being treated with a wire brush. We're seeing more and more clients navigate towards a brushed nickel finish, and for good reason. This finish has a luxurious, almost hand-crafted aesthetic that hides water spots and fingerprints well.
In a test of durability, stainless steel will always come out on top. This is because stainless steel kitchen hardware is composed of solid metal, as opposed to chrome and brushed nickel plating.
Does this mean brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze are out of style? Nope. And in even better news, there's no need to replace all the metals in your kitchen all at once anymore. Because mixed metals in the kitchen create a curated look in the kitchen that is so 2023.
Gold and Brass
Gold is getting an added boost thanks to this year's trend of black and gold, which is especially popular in this year's resurgence of Art Deco. The warm look of gold and brass creates an inviting atmosphere that is also timeless and luxurious.
What Is Brushed Nickel? Brushed nickel finishes are soft. The material is brushed, meaning it has a semi-satin finish and isn't super shiny or matte. It looks like stainless steel, but it's not as clean.
While both are cool colors, brushed nickel appears warmer, mainly due to its toned-down textured quality. Therefore, if your design plan includes a bright, modern look, cooler chrome might be a better bet. If you're after a warmer, more traditional vibe, brushed nickel could be the winner.
Brushed nickel, on the other hand, has a natural yellow (or whitish) appearance. This slight yellow hue is often seen as a warmer color than chrome's blue. Varieties of Brushed nickel fixtures often come with a wider variety of finishes than brushed chrome.
Brushed nickel, with its subtle texture and brushed finish, is available in a similar range of silver shades but can also be found in other metal finish hues such as gold, bronze, and copper, giving you a more diverse range of options. Ultimately, the color range for both finishes will depend on the manufacturer.
A brushed or satin nickel faucet will blend in with a stainless steel sink much the way a stainless steel faucet would. They usually have a more muted finish than stainless steel and don't show water spots as easily.
Since stainless steel and aluminum have a large gap in nobility, they're dissimilar. That means pairing them up will have a higher chance of leading to galvanic corrosion. On the other hand, metals like copper and stainless steel are similar. That's why steel pipes and copper tubing work well together.
It's tough to scratch, and the brushed finish makes it difficult to see any blemishes even if it happens. This has to do with the way light reflects off a matte finish compared to a shiny one.