As a general rule, brushed nickel is a classic finish that is an excellent choice for either kitchen or bathroom hardware. While brushed nickel may not be one of the top finishes for 2023, it is certainly a safe option that will not require updating any time soon. Get more home decor tips here.
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.
Chrome plating gives metal a slightly blue tint, while nickel has a natural yellow or white shine. 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.
Chrome looks more futuristic than brushed nickel, and it can make a bathroom or kitchen stand out. You can definitely consider chrome to be high-key sleek and modern. Still, it's important to understand that both brushed nickel and chrome are considered classical design options.
The main disadvantage of brushed nickel is that it is difficult to match to other fixtures. Because the process of making brushed nickel involves etching it with a wire brush, you may not be able to find the exact same finish in all of your finishing touches for your bathroom.
Brushed Nickel is a cool-toned metal finish found in many lighting collections, from modern to traditional, but the brushed quality gives it a subtle warmth. Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect.
Oil-Rubbed Bronze
A great aesthetic alternative to standard chrome and brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze gives the bathroom a more traditional look and feel. To complement the look around your bathroom, use a brass darkening solution on any brass items.
Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.
Easier To Clean
You only need a soft cloth to clean brushed nickel. It's easier to keep clean because you can't see smudges and fingerprints as brushed nickel hides smudges.
It's important because it leads to rule #1 of mixing metals – when in doubt, keep the same undertones. Cool undertones and warm undertones often don't mix great, though there are some exceptions. You'll see all of our favorite combos in the graphic below! Top tip – never, ever, EVER mix chrome and nickel.
Chrome tends to be considered more a more modern look, more contemporary than brushed nickel. On the flip side, brushed nickel is typically categorized as more traditional when comparing it to chrome. As with all things design, it comes down to personal preference!
O'Brien suggests mixing brass and dark bronze, brass and chrome, or brass and nickel, but never mix nickel and chrome. Also, he cautions that there is a limit to how many metal finishes you can mix together in one room. “There should be a main finish choice and maybe one accent,” he says.
Brushed nickel is warm
As a homeowner, choosing what you like is always important rather than sticking to hard and fast rules. Some prefer balancing the two tones — warm with cool — while others like all one scheme. There are a lot of choices in the warm family, including brass, nickel, copper, and bronze.
Topping the list of kitchen design trends in 2023 are faucet finishes such as nickel, chrome, black, and brass and options like brushed, matte, polished, satin, and dual-tone finishes. GRAFF's faucet finishes do more than reflect and set trends.
What Colour Doors Knobs Are In Style For 2023? In 2023, the most on trend colour door knobs are matte black, sage green, polished brass and aged brass metal finishes.
Matte Black Continues
Matte black hardware will continue its dominance in 2023, and we can't get enough! This trend is ideal when used as part of a monochrome decor scheme or as a statement piece against bright colors.
Bleach-based cleaners or other products that claim to "remove rust or tarnish" can be detrimental to the surface of the nickel, as they likely contain hydrofluoric, hydrochloric and/or phosphoric acids.
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.
Avoid bleach. Do not use cleaners that contain alcohol or ammonia to clean brushed nickel. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish. Acidic substances left on the nickel finish for extended periods of time may leave a slight dark mark, but this is easily removed with a chrome polish.
Light green is a popular bathroom paint color in 2023 because it delivers a soothing, refreshing ambiance. Inspired by nature, green paint colors like lime, olive, and chartreuse create an outdoor connection and lend tranquility to a bathroom.
Keep it Neutral
For walls and appliances, sticking to colors like gray, white, and black are recommended. Selecting these colors makes it easy to match with décor. In addition, white is especially popular in many bathrooms because of its clean aesthetic.
Most notably, light-blue bathrooms are a strong favorite that can result in a big return on investment for your home. Survey participants noted they'd be more interested in touring and buying a house with colors in home design that include a light blue bathroom—and willing to pay 1.6% more than expected.
Appearance. The main difference between brushed nickel and satin nickel is the apperance. Brushed nickel has a matte, dull appearance compared to satin nickel. Comparatively, satin nickel has a glossier, more lustrous finish that gives it a brighter and more modern appearance.
Brushed nickel is more resistant to fingerprints and smudges, while polished nickel is more likely to show fingerprints and smudges.
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.