Brushed nickel is more resistant to fingerprints and smudges, while polished nickel is more likely to show fingerprints and smudges. Brushed nickel is more affordable than polished nickel. Polished nickel is more formal looking than brushed nickel.
Polished nickel has a shiny, reflective surface that will bring some sparkle into your bathroom or kitchen, while brushed nickel has a more subtle matte finish that works well in bedrooms or family rooms where you don't want too much shine from your hardware pieces.
It's an easy to clean and durable finish that's marginally less susceptible to fingerprints than Chrome – a lint-free cloth is all you'll need to maintain its shine.
#2 Tends to tarnish faster than polished chrome
It is important to note that brushed nickel does not tarnish easily. However, when it does, brushed nickel tarnishes faster when compared to polished chrome, especially when the fixtures are not maintained.
Polished nickel is gorgeous and timeless. From Victorian homes to modern designs, polished nickel fits right in and truly stands the test of time. The traditional-style fixtures and hardware in this bathroom look great in a polished finish.
Brushed/Satin nickel will never go out of style. It is very versatile because it goes with almost any cabinet color and matches great with stainless steel appliances.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid using any harsh cleaners or abrasive pads that can scratch the finish of your polished nickel. You can use glass cleaner as long as you do not allow the cleaners to soak on the polished nickel.
Because it's so durable and doesn't show fingerprints and scratches quite as easily, polished nickel is the better choice for homes with small children and pets. Give it a quick wipe when you clean your kitchen to keep the color bright.
Polished nickel is more expensive than brushed nickel. Polished nickel is easier to clean than brushed nickel. Brushed nickel has a more modern look, while polished nickel has a more classic look.
Although polished nickel is extremely durable and doesn't show fingerprints or smudges easily, it requires a fair amount of TLC to look its best at all times. Mineral deposits on showerheads and sink faucets are more likely to occur on this type of finish.
Polished nickel or chrome look great with matte black. 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.
Typically, you should use warm metals (like brass, nickel and copper) with warm hues (like whites, beiges, browns and taupes) and cool metals (such as chrome and silver) with cool hues (such as blues, greens and grays).
Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
White is still the most popular kitchen cabinet color in 2023 and beyond. However, we are seeing a shift towards warmer and more natural tones. We cover the best colors for cabinets from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams like Simply White, Dove White, and Chantilly Lace.
Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue and Verdigris are the color names for 2023. Who chooses the names of the new colors? Names are selected by the WGSN and Coloro color team, before being verified by our in-house Equality Vision Team to ensure a proper translation on a global scale.
Polished Brass (Warm Undertone)
Perhaps the most traditional of finishes, polished brass is a longstanding classic. This warm golden finish has a highly reflective surface.