Brushed nickel has a cool, silvery hue, making it ideal for pairing with cool tones. Colors such as soft blues, greens, and grays can create a serene environment that enhances the elegance of brushed nickel fixtures.
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 is more of a subtle, softer looking finish. It has a slightly brushed appearance with a semi-satin finish. Some customers think of a brushed nickel finish as looking more like stainless steel and, therefore, it can tie in with stainless steel kitchen appliances very nicely.
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.
While its color is similar to that of satin nickel, its brushed finish is rougher to the touch than satin, lending a visual that works well with a more rustic style. However, brushed nickel maintains an elegant look that can blend with many interior design styles.
Tarnishes Faster Than Chrome
One of the key differences between brushed nickel and polished chrome is that brushed nickel will tarnish faster.
Timeless Brushed Nickel
For those who prefer subtle sophistication, brushed nickel is a classic that never goes out of style.
Nickel plating is a very shiny metal, but the brushing removes any natural shine. Still, brushed nickel will be shinier than a satin nickel finish.
Choosing The Right Finish
For most projects, Bratton defers to satin nickel in modern and traditional style homes for its timeless and versatile finish. For homes that lean decidedly more rustic, or for folks that don't want shine in their finishes, brushed nickel is the better choice.
Colors such as soft blues, greens, and grays can create a serene environment that enhances the elegance of brushed nickel fixtures. Consider using these colors on your walls or accents to achieve a calming atmosphere in spaces like bathrooms or bedrooms.
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.
Satin/Brushed Nickel (Warm Undertone)
One of the most popular finishes, it is an available finish option for nearly every hardware design.
Yes, mixing metals is a popular design trend that adds depth and interest to your kitchen. Brushed nickel pairs well with a variety of metal finishes, such as brass, chrome tapware, or matte black. The key is to balance the finishes so that they complement rather than compete with each other.
However, there are different nickel finishes to choose from. Two of the most popular finishes are brushed and satin nickel, but they're often confused for one another. Home Depot often lists hardware as “brushed satin nickel,” combining the two terms. But they're not exactly the same, nor are they interchangeable.
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.
Chrome is often seen as providing a more sophisticated and cool look to a room, and nickel is often seen as a warmer color. Variety: Brushed nickel faucet fixtures come in a wider range of finishes than chrome. Most chrome fixtures have the same level of blue tint.
As its name implies, Brushed Nickel has a more matte, "brushed" appearance. A wire brush is used to create this effect, which adds texture and visual interest to any fixture. Increasingly, homeowners are gravitating toward Brushed Nickel to give their spaces a more rustic, hand-crafted appeal.
Oil rubbed bronze is both current and classic. It's usually found in traditional and transitional decor.
Other metallic finishes like brass and copper have also gained popularity in recent years, but silver or chrome is still the go-to choice for many homeowners and designers who want a classic and elegant look.
In 2024, antique brass with a matte sheen will be popular, pairing well with modern and traditional interiors. Brushed Nickel: Known for its subtle shine, brushed nickel adds a neutral yet contemporary look. It's versatile, making it a favorite for bathrooms and kitchens.
Hammered copper works with satin oil rubbed bronze. Satin antique brass works with polished nickel. The only thing that we don't recommend – mixing 2 finishes in the same color. For example, don't mix polished nickel and brushed nickel – it will look like you tried to make them all match, but missed.
Brushed Nickel is a charcoal grey with a brownish hue. This color is a polyester top coat powder coat with a satin finish. Top Coat Information: Top coats are transparent. The color and brightness of the substrate (surface) under a top coat will affect the finished appearance.
It's also not the best choice if you have stainless steel everywhere; the two finishes blend together too much, dulling the impact. While it's durable, brushed nickel isn't invincible. Over time, it may show scratches, especially in high-traffic areas.
Cool Metals
Bright and reflective, metals are sure to make a statement in your home. Moving away from gold and warm-toned metals, cool-toned metals like silver, chrome, steel, and aluminum are going to have their moment in 2024.