Bathroom Fixtures Material and Finish Options When Remodeling

Plumbing fixtures are the perfect adornment to any bathroom.  Plumbing fixtures function similarly to jewelry – serving as an enhancement that elevates the overall look.

Plumbing fixtures are the perfect adornment to any bathroom.  Plumbing fixtures function similarly to jewelry – serving as an enhancement that elevates the overall look.  It can be easy to get caught up in choosing cabinetry, floor tile, bathtubs or shower tile but it is incredibly important to ensure that you complete your look with the appropriate bathroom plumbing hardware.  While it may seem simple, there are actually a lot of different colors and finishes from which to choose.  Fixture materials include brass, copper, chrome, nickel, gold-plated, oil-rubbed metals and can be in a variety of finishes including matte finish, shiny finish (such as chrome), smooth satin sheen and more.

There is a style and finish for every budget.  Within each material and finish there is a wide range of prices to suit any remodeler’s needs.  When choosing a material/color you can never go wrong with a neutral shade such as nickel, chrome or stainless steel.  A silver-tone plumbing fixture will seamlessly integrate with any design aesthetic.  Bronze and gold finishes are beautiful and elegant and add an interesting design flare to the overall look, giving it that “something special” that will catch an eye right away.  While some people may think of gold or brass as an outdated look, this is not your mother’s old brass hardware.  It is a trend that has surged to popularity again in the last year or two and we will see it continuing strongly into 2016.  Style At Home explains why gold hardware fixtures is silencing skeptics with its timeless, classic style, “Mega-luxe and undeniably elegant, gold-plated hardware has been gracing traditional bathrooms for decades. In 2015, we’re seeing the trend make its way to modern spaces, with bathrooms getting the gilded treatment in hardware, lighting and even plumbing. Kelly’s advice? “Use it sparingly, pairing faucets with vanities that have minimal hardware or integrated pulls. Restraint is the key to achieving a sophisticated look with this finish in modern spaces.”  Not only are people making bold choices with their fixture material choices but they are even mixing and matching material in one bathroom.  Traditional school of thought would tell you that this is a no-no but experts in the industry say that mixing and matching is not only ok but encouraged.  Lastly, when choosing bathroom fixtures you not only need to choose material but finish.  While mixing and matching of material is encouraged, generally, experts recommend maintaining a uniform finish throughout.  Don’t mix a chrome fixture with a matte fixture, it will simply clash.  A brushed or satin finish will hide a multitude of sins, camouflaging water spots and fingerprints much better than its chrome counterpart can.    Finally, consult your contractor, plumber or handyman for expert advice when choosing bathroom plumbing hardware to ensure you make the right choice for your bathroom’s architectural style and design aesthetic.