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.
The soft metallic look of brushed nickel has stood the test of time. Advantages: This is one of the most durable finishes; it has a tendency to keep its finish longer than oil-rubbed bronze and chrome.
Matte finishes or all-black fixtures, on the other hand, are much easier to keep clean and don't leave fingerprints as readily. Consider black or matte bathroom faucets, vanity handles, panels, shower heads, and more.
Solid-brass bodies last longest and require the least care, especially with hard water, which corrodes lesser metals. At $150 or so to start, these faucets also cost the most. If you aren't sure whether a fitting is solid brass, pick it up.
Incorporating a brushed nickel finish to a kitchen adds a visual appeal that is subtle enough to blend in with existing stainless steel appliances. A bonus benefit of a brushed nickel finish is that it hides small water spots, keeping the faucet looking clean much longer than a traditional chrome faucet.
Chrome is appreciated for its versatility and durability. It's easy to clean and maintain, and goes well with a variety of accessories and other fixtures. The downside to chrome finishes is that, unlike brushed nickel, it easily shows fingerprints and water spots. Scratches are also more visible to the naked eye.
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.
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.
Chrome, nickel, and stainless steel are all “cool” metals, although Chrome is the only naturally occurring metal used in bathroom fixtures. Chrome has been a popular bathroom fixture finish for decades because it offers multiple benefits. It's durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to maintain.
When designing a timeless kitchen, brushed nickel fixtures are both what's in style now and what will remain stylish for years to come. One of the reasons so many homeowners love brushed nickel is its long-lasting finish and easy care which doesn't show fingerprints or water spots.
Remember, even though mixing metals in the bathroom is popular right now, there's nothing wrong with matching all the finishes and hardware in your bathroom. Matching metal finishes is an easy way to give a space a cohesive, thoughtfully put-together look.
Monochrome finishes
And these continue to increase in popularity. A more contemporary choice than chrome, opting for black brassware creates a striking accent in any kitchen design.” A black faucet will instantly modernize your kitchen.
The best options are often made of brass2 and stainless steel,1 such as the Mueller Single-Hole Bathroom Sink Faucet. Both materials are resistant to rust, corrosion, and high heat. Standard metal can be sufficient, though it's usually more prone to water spots, so you'll have to clean it more often.
The Winner: Brushed/Satin Nickel
Other easy-to-maintain finishes include solid brass, oil-rubbed bronze and other bronze finishes. Chrome and stainless steel are popular and very affordable choices, although they might require more cleaning.
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.
Satin nickel has a softer, matte, lustrous appearance, while brushed nickel has a slightly textured finish. If you're going for a more modern, understated look, satin nickel might be the way to go. But brushed nickel could be a perfect choice if you want a rustic, industrial feel.
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.
Graphite nickel is 2023's finish du jour
Consider it the elegant glow-up of once-trendy matte black fixtures. This sleek charcoal finish is a close relative to blackened steel with its cool undertones, but with more edgy and sophisticated dimensions.
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.
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.
moen vs delta quality
Moen and Delta are brands that are both in the top among faucet brands in the country making their quality the best in their kind. However, some Moen models are made of higher quality materials than that of its Delta counterparts.
Does cabinet hardware have to match your faucet? No. But, traditionally kitchens and bathrooms will match hardware finishes to the faucet to tie the finishes in the room together. Matching cabinet hardware to your faucet creates a cohesive look.