Bathroom Faucet Finish Guide

Legend has it that anything that King Midas touched turned to gold.  And while that may have been ideal for the bathroom fixtures of the ‘90s, in present day we must admit that it looks a little dated.  It’s easy to become overwhelmed with options, but we’ve got you covered.  Here are some of the most popular bathroom fixture finishes on the market and what you need to know about them before committing.

Brushed Nickel

What it Looks Like: Brushed nickel is silver in color and has small, intentional scratches all in the same direction.  This process removes the shine from the nickel.

Why you’ll Love It: Brushed nickel is one of the longest-lasting finishes available.  It hides fingerprints, along with water spots, making it easy to clean.  Price-wise, it’s quite budget-friendly.  It works well in modern and traditional bathrooms.

Why you’ll Loathe It: If you’re looking to make a statement with your bathroom fixtures, brushed nickel isn’t unique enough to turn heads.

Chrome

What it Looks Like: Chrome fixtures are silver and shiny.

Why you’ll Love It: Chrome is cost-effective and it takes very little to maintain and keep clean.  It plays well with other materials.

Why you’ll Loathe It: While they are easy to clean, chrome fixtures are known for showing fingerprints and watermarks.

Copper

What it Looks Like: With its hints of orange, a copper sink can be a real statement piece.

Why you’ll Love It: By its nature, copper has several antimicrobial properties which means that bacteria in this type of sink will die in a matter of hours, instead of weeks.

Why you’ll Loathe It: Copper is less durable than other sink finishes.  It’s also harder to find accessories that match it.  Over time, it will show signs of age.

Brass

What it Looks Like: Brass fixtures are golden in color.

Why you’ll Love It: If you prefer a classic look, brass is a great fit.  It’s easy to clean and brass options in the marketplace are endless.

Why you’ll Loathe It: Over time, brass fixtures will become discolored and can even rust.  This finish is one of the most expensive.

Oil Rubbed Bronze

What it Looks Like: Bronze fixtures have a combination of brown & black coloring.

Why you’ll Love It: Bronze fixtures are a great addition to any bathroom because they exude warmth and elegance.  They pair well with statement sinks are a perfect complement to almost any bathroom style.  They are easy to find and conceal water spots & fingerprints.

Why you’ll Loathe It: This finish can be more expensive than others.  Oil rubbed bronze fixtures vary wildly in color from manufacturer to manufacturer, making it difficult to get a perfect accessory match throughout the room.  The finish can also change over time, impacting the look of the color and special cleaning projects are needed in order to prolong this process as long as possible.