Dear Eric Spurt: I would like to upgrade my bathroom faucet with a newer trendy model. My bathroom has an ultra modern look and I kinda know which models that I’m leaning towards but I just can’t decide upon which finish I should choose. Are there any guides as to what finish works best with which faucet style? Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated, there are so many to choose from. Can you at least steer me in the right direction. Anita Boulard Washington D.C.

Hi Anita thanks for choosing Bathroomguru Review as your bathroom reno information source, we live to answer your questions! Ok, enough plugging. So here goes…You are right, there are some pretty stylish faucet finishes out there to adorn your bathroom with. Nickel used to be a favourite but has really fallen out of favour because it wasn’t very durable. Unfortunately it’s a relatively soft metal and would rub off the faucet after repeated use over time exposing the brass under plating that would quickly tarnish leaving your vanity looking old beyond its years. I mean, after all, the finish you choose is all about the fashionable look of your faucet. In most cases your faucet goes beyond just utilitarian function and is viewed by most people primarily as an ornamental accessory that should reflect your personal style and complete your design intentions. It’s all about the look baby! Function is pretty much expected. Who wants to buy a faucet that looks good but doesn’t work?

A better choice is polished chrome which actually became the standard for faucets in the late 1930’s and remains today as the criterion in the faucet industry. It’s tarnish resistant and durable and has become the faucet material of choice. The great thing about chrome is that it coordinates exceptionally well with a wide variety of fixture styles and types of bathroom decoration. It works just as well for evoking a nostalgic look as a contemporary feel in your bath. Another benefit of choosing a chrome finish is it one of the least expensive and versatile finishes you can have.

However you should be aware that with the advancement of technology in the fabrication of faucet materials there are new players in the field such as physical vapour deposition otherwise known as PVD, making faucet finishes even more resilient than ever before. Some other types of popular faucet finishes are polished/brushed nickel (warm feel), gold (period style, opulent), bronze (traditional or rustic look) and mixed metals with a variety of hammered and brushed options. Brushed metals add softness to your bathroom whereas polished metals really make things pop. And remember matte finishes such as brushed nickel don’t show water spots or fingerprints as readily as some of the more polished faucet finishes so you can refrain from cleaning them as often.

Ok Anita, the main thing you should be thinking about when selecting a faucet finish is that you must choose a finish that goes with the style of your other fixtures no matter what your bathroom style (ultra modern, transitional or traditional). A general rule of thumb is to consider how your faucet finish will complement your vanity, walls, sink, tub and backsplash (if you have one). Basically look beyond the immediate area around your faucet, taking into consideration patterns and colors that make up you bathroom environment. And don’t forget about your lighting and accessories as well such as your toilet paper holder or even door handle. If you have a certain brushed nickel finish on your lighting fixtures or grab bars then you should keep that theme throughout you bathroom. Just remember, while there are many durable faucet finishes that can add elegance to your bathroom, you will be using your faucet pretty much every single day, so choose a finish which is ageless, stylish and appealing that you will enjoy using day in and day out for a very long time.

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