There are so many different types of metals used in interior design! Today I’m going to share with you some of the most popular metal types and metal finishes for kitchen and bathroom fixtures. In this post, I’ll show you real life examples (including a few from my own home!) of some popular types of metal. I’ll also compare some of the finishes on metal to help you select the perfect one for your space and style!
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Most popular metal types and metal finishes
Let’s start with an overview of the most popular metal types and metal finishes used in interior design!
Brushed nickel
Brushed nickel is a matte and slightly textured silver that sometimes shows visible grooves or brushstrokes. It has a warm undertone. Here’s an example of a bathroom sink faucet:
Polished nickel
Polished nickel is shiny and has a warm undertone.
Chrome
Chrome is shiny and sometimes mirror-like. It has a cool undertone.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a muted cooler silver with a matte undertone. Here’s an example of a stainless steel faucet:
Polished brass
Polished brass has a very shiny, reflective and warm appearance. We installed this polished brass kitchen faucet, drinking water faucet, garbage disposal button, and dishwasher air gap in our kitchen! It really elevated the look of our kitchen sink area!
Brushed brass
Brushed brass is matte and slightly textured, sometimes with visible grooves or brushstrokes.
Satin brass
Satin brass is subtly textured, but still very smooth. The satin brass finish falls between polished and matte. I used these satin brass knobs and pulls in our kitchen and love them!
Champagne bronze
Champagne Bronze has a subdued gold tone with a hint of bronze and it’s somewhere between warm and cool. This is a great option if you’re looking for a more unique bathroom design.
Oil-rubbed bronze
Oil-rubbed Bronze has a darkened surface that is supposed to simulate aged bronze. It has lighter reddish/copper-like highlights that look like patina.
Venetian bronze
Venetian bronze is a darker metal finish that is similar to oil-rubbed bronze but has a lighter color with bronze highlights.
Comparisons of the most popular metal types and metal finishes
Some of the kitchen and bathroom faucet finishes I showed you above are pretty similar but have subtle differences to keep in mind.
Let’s compare some of the most popular and most commonly confused metal finishes for bathroom fixtures (like bathroom faucets, showerheads or shower door frames) and kitchen fixtures (like kitchen faucets or cabinet pulls)!
Brushed nickel vs polished nickel
Brushed nickel and polished nickel are both silvers with a warm undertone.
The main difference between the two is the texture:
- Brushed nickel is matte and slightly textured. It sometimes shows visible grooves or brushstrokes
- Polished nickel finish is shiny and highly reflective.
Brushed nickel is a popular option for door hardware.
Polished nickel vs polished chrome
Polished nickel and polished chrome both have a shiny polished finish.
When comparing polished nickel vs chrome the main difference is the color:
- Polished nickel has warm undertones, whereas polished chrome has cool undertones.
- Both may show water spots more easily than a brushed finish would but polished chrome is still a very popular option in bathroom for fixtures like a shower head.
Brushed nickel vs stainless steel
Brushed nickel has a warm undertone while stainless steel is a muted cooler silver.
Both the brushed nickel finish and the stainless steel finish are more matte, slightly textured and can sometimes show visible grooves or brushstrokes.
Stainless steel faucets are a popular option in kitchens.
Polished brass vs satin brass
Polished brass has a very shiny, reflective and warm appearance. It has a bright and mirror-like shine.
Satin brass on the other hand, is more muted and very lightly textured, but still very smooth. Its finish lacks the shine and luster of polished brass and is somewhere between a polished and matte finish.
We used both brass finishes in our kitchen. Our cabinet hardware like cabinet knobs and cabinet door pulls have a satin brass finish. We used polished brass hardware for the remaining elements like the sink accessories.
I hope you found this kitchen and bathroom fixtures guide helpful and it will be useful when you plan your next home improvement project! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions.
Tina
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