No, rubbed bronze is not out of style. While it peaked in the early 2000s, interior designers consider it a classic, living finish. As homeowners shift away from stark, modern colors toward warmer, earthier interiors, rubbed bronze is actually seeing a renewed surge in popularity.
Rubbed bronze isn't outdated; designers see it as a classic finish that's gaining renewed popularity. It aligns with the move away from cool, all-white interiors toward warmer, more inviting spaces. Available in varied tones, it pairs easily with natural materials like marble, plaster, and brass.
Bronze is poised to lead 2026 design trends, valued for its earthy elegance and ability to add warmth and depth to any space. Designers favor finishes with patina and soul, and bronze's versatility pairs well with rich palettes and natural materials.
Oil-rubbed bronze is not out of style. Designers now view it as a timeless, heritage finish rather than a fleeting fad. Its deep, warm undertones are highly favored to bring character and softness to kitchens and bathrooms.
Matte Black: The Modern Classic
Matte black door handles create definition against light or neutral doors, while their soft finish hides fingerprints and everyday wear. Chic, versatile and practical - this finish continues to dominate the market and shows no signs of fading in popularity.
For 2026, the leading hardware styles prioritize warmth, character, and tactile finishes over the sterile, shiny metals of the past.
Beige tones, hues of white, and grey should be the colors of choice for your furniture, curtains, drapes, and other home accessories. Neutral colors not only give that plush look, but they also give you that warm feeling.
In 2026, faucet trends are dominated by warm metallics, organic living finishes, and bold, playful colors. Designers are moving away from harsh, flat blacks and traditional shiny chrome, favoring tactile, "quiet luxury" looks.
Oil rubbed bronze makes a statement
In fact, rooms rich with oil rubbed bronze pair well with warm tones like deep grays, sage greens, reds and orange-red undertones. Think of warm wood furniture, a deep red and black plush Persian rug, gray fabrics or upholstery and oil rubbed bronze hardware.
Yes, an oil-rubbed bronze (ORB) faucet can look excellent with a stainless steel sink, creating a stylish, high-contrast look often described as a "mixed metal" design. This pairing is a popular choice that adds warmth and a classic, rustic, or farmhouse feel to modern kitchen or bathroom, breaking up the monotony of all-silver finishes.
Cool gray is being replaced by "mushroom" neutrals (warm taupes and greys with subtle green or violet undertones), warm earthy khakis, and soft, natural sages.
In a room with warmer colors, brass or gold can complement Oil Rubbed Bronze beautifully. In cooler-toned rooms, silver, nickel, or chrome might be more appropriate.
Oil-rubbed bronze offers a dark, rustic, or vintage look suitable for traditional or farmhouse styles, while brushed nickel provides a bright, versatile, modern feel that blends seamlessly with most color schemes. Oil-rubbed bronze is generally more "moody" with dark brown or black tones, while brushed nickel is a light, silvery-gray finish.
Oil-rubbed bronze is a finish that has been around for centuries, originally popularized for its durability and timeless beauty. This finish involves applying a dark bronze coating over Emtek's brass base metal, which is then “rubbed” with oil to create a rich, dark color with subtle highlights.
In 2026, bathroom fixture trends emphasize warmth, texture, and spa-like luxury, moving away from high-shine chrome toward brushed brass, champagne bronze, and matte black. Key trends include tactile, artisanal details like knurling and hammered metals, alongside eco-friendly smart technology and mixed-metal combinations for a curated, bespoke appearance.
The Top 10 finishes for Door Hardware
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
Three colors that look good together depend on the vibe you want, but these three highly versatile combinations are guaranteed to work across design, art, and fashion:
Red is universally considered the hardest paint color to cover. Vibrant red pigments are highly transparent and inherently prone to bleeding through subsequent layers. Other notoriously difficult colors to cover include black, dark blue, dark green, and bright yellow.
Chipped tiles, stained grout, and brightly colored porcelain tubs and toilets (think avocado green, mustard yellow, or bubblegum pink) instantly make a bathroom look neglected. No matter how clean the rest of the space is, damaged surfaces or retro fixtures give off a dated vibe.
Bathroom color trends in 2026 are pivoting away from stark, clinical aesthetics in favor of earthy warmth, wellness-focused spa tones, and grounded comfort.
Deep green, navy blue, charcoal, and warm neutrals like beige or taupe make a bathroom look expensive, especially when paired with brass or gold fixtures. Rich, moody colors create a luxurious spa-like feel, while high-contrast neutrals like creamy white or soft grey enhance sophistication and space.
Create a luxurious-looking sitting room with a deep chocolate brown paint color. Pair the rich walls with a light pink ceiling and dark, red-toned décor for a bold and sophisticated design that works effortlessly.
Top 10 Timeless Paint Colors for Your Home