A Guide on Types of Faucet Finishes and Their Pros and Cons
So many finishes, so little time
It can be easy to overlook different faucet finishes in the grand scheme of a bathroom or kitchen remodel. Choosing a faucet finish that complements the style and design of the room can enhance the look and feel of your space. Consider the pros and cons of faucet finishes to ensure they can meet your needs and complete the design. Check out these nine faucet finishes to find out which is best for you.
1. Polished Brass
One of the more popular finishes for faucets in the 1980s and 1990s, polished brass is a gleaming gold finish that fell out of favor for much of the early 2000s. But it’s back, offering a touch of nostalgia and a beautiful accent for modern and traditional bathrooms alike.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to clean | May look dated depending on other decor |
| Durable finish | Can be more expensive than other finishes |
| Vintage appearance | Can show water spots |
Best for: Homeowners who want a touch of vintage with a modern twist
2. Satin Brass
Satin brass is similar to polished brass but with less shine. This more understated finish works well in bathrooms with a softer style and looks great when paired with dark colors and matching hardware. You can highlight this finish with other satin brass fixtures and accents without overwhelming the space.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Soft appearance | Might be difficult to match other fixtures |
| Looks great with dark colors | More expensive than other finishes |
| Hides fingerprints | Textured finish may not appeal to everyone |
Best for: A high-end bathroom, especially when paired with dark colors
3. Oil-Rubbed Bronze
Oil-rubbed bronze offers a traditional feel and is a beautiful addition to a rustic Mediterranean design. This dark brown finish features areas of lighter bronze, giving it an aged and well-worn appearance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique aesthetic | More expensive than other finishes |
| Works well with traditional designs | May not fit all decor styles |
| Hides water spots and fingerprints | Appearance may change over time |
Best for: Traditional, rustic, and Mediterranean designs
4. Satin Bronze
Satin bronze offers a subtle sheen similar to satin brass, but bronze provides superior strength and corrosion resistance, making it more expensive. This may be the right choice if you’re interested in high-quality bathroom faucets that last a lifetime.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable | More expensive than other finishes |
| High-quality look and feel | A challenging finish to match |
| Easy to clean | Can be harder to find than other finishes |
Best for: Homeowners looking for a long-lasting option
5. Copper
Copper patinas over time to create a truly unique finish. However, this ability to patina can also make it difficult to match other fixtures to established copper finishes. It’s also more delicate than other finishes, but the good news is that any scratches will darken and eventually blend in with the copper as it ages.
It will take time and effort to keep a copper faucet shiny, like a polished brass or bronze fixture. Ask a local faucet installation professional if copper will fit your overall needs and design goals.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Naturally antibacterial | Less durable than other finishes |
| Will patina over time | Not everyone desires a patina finish |
| Bold and charming appearance | Difficult to match other fixtures to aged copper |
Best for: Homeowners who love to see their fixtures age naturally
6. Matte Black
Matte black is a modern finish that works with a wide range of aesthetics, including contemporary, farmhouse, and traditional designs. It provides a stark contrast to traditional white elements in the bathroom, like the sink and toilet, and it’s easy to match other fixtures to this finish because there’s little variation in its appearance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to maintain | May not fit with all aesthetics |
| Offers a modern aesthetic | Can be challenging to find |
| Hides fingerprints | More expensive than other finishes |
Best for: Those who prefer modern home designs and low-maintenance fixtures
7. Brushed Nickel
For a softer finish than polished nickel, brushed nickel features a metallic sheen that can hide fingerprints and water spots better than its polished counterpart. This finish falls in the middle range of faucet finish costs—it will cost a little more than polished chrome but not as much as bronze finishes. This finish will work well if you’re looking for a faucet that blends into its surroundings rather than making a strong statement.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fits in with a wide range of design styles | Won’t stand out as a statement feature |
| Hides water spots and fingerprints | Not the most cost-effective choice |
| Easy to match with other fixtures | Some designs don’t work with a matte finish |
Best for: Soft designs that need everything to blend together
8. Polished Nickel
Like brushed nickel, polished nickel is a durable finish, but rather than matte, it features a smooth and shiny appearance that stands out in a kitchen or bathroom design. Polished nickel is similar in appearance to polished chrome, but it’s a little darker and is more expensive.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stands out in kitchen or bathroom designs | Can show fingerprints and water spots |
| Easy to clean | Costs more than other finishes |
| Durable | May accumulate mineral deposits |
Best for: Designs that need a neutral color that can stand out against other features
9. Polished Chrome
Polished chrome is what many people think of when they think “faucet.” This finish is pretty standard, and if you walk through the faucet aisle of any home improvement store, you’ll likely see polished chrome finish faucets gleaming back at you. Because it’s budget-friendly, you may have more money to spend on other design features. But its polished finish makes hiding fingerprints, water spots, or other smudges challenging.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Versatile | Not a very unique finish |
| Less expensive than other finishes | Won’t hide fingerprints well |
| Easy to wipe clean and restore its shine | Can look outdated |
Best for: Nearly any design style, especially one on a budget