Faucet Finishes - Faucet Colors an Important Design Element

Faucet Finishes & Faucet Colors – an Important Design Element

Faucet Colors – Faucet Finishes – an Important Design Element

(updated June 2023)

When selecting faucet finishes and colors for your bathroom, there are several factors to consider, including the overall design style, desired aesthetic, and coordination with other bathroom fixtures. Remember to consider the overall color scheme of your bathroom while coordinating the faucet finish with other fixtures, such as towel bars, showerheads, and cabinet hardware, to create a cohesive and harmonious look.

So what are the Major Faucet Colors? With the advancements in technology, you might have observed that numerous homes, restaurants, and public bathrooms now feature faucets in a variety of colors. The traditional chrome and brushed finishes are no longer the only options. Instead, you’ll come across faucets in vibrant hues such as red, gold, green, brushed gold and more. The availability of different faucet colors has significantly increased, providing diverse choices to suit various design preferences and create unique visual statements.

So what are the colors of faucets?


Below are the colors paired with their corresponding design descriptions::

    1. Chrome: Sleek and reflective, Chrome adds a modern and polished touch to any space.
    2. White: Classic and versatile, White lends a clean and timeless look, suitable for various decor styles.
    3. Pewter: Subtle and sophisticated, Pewter offers a muted metallic finish, adding elegance to the surroundings.
    4. Biscuit: Warm and inviting, Biscuit exudes a soft, creamy hue reminiscent of baked goods, creating a cozy atmosphere.
    5. Almond: Soft and neutral, Almond features a light beige tone that brings warmth and subtlety to the decor.
    6. Polished Chrome: Shiny and lustrous, Polished Chrome offers a mirror-like finish, enhancing the modern aesthetic.
    7. Brushed Nickel: Contemporary and refined, Brushed Nickel presents a subdued sheen with fine brush strokes, adding sophistication to the space.
    8. Bright Nickel: Brilliant and radiant, Bright Nickel boasts a dazzling shine, making a bold statement in any setting.
    9. Satin Nickel: Elegant and understated, Satin Nickel offers a soft sheen with a smooth texture, perfect for a subtle yet refined look.
    10. Brushed Stainless: Industrial and durable, Brushed Stainless features a brushed texture with a stainless steel appearance, ideal for modern and minimalist designs.
    11. Polished Brass: Rich and opulent, Polished Brass showcases a golden hue with a glossy finish, evoking a sense of luxury and grandeur.
    12. Antique Brass: Vintage and charming, Antique Brass exhibits a weathered patina that adds character and nostalgia to the decor.
    13. Antique Bronze: Old-world and rustic, Antique Bronze offers a warm, aged finish with deep undertones, imparting a sense of history and heritage.
    14. Venetian Bronze: Timeless and sophisticated, Venetian Bronze features a dark, oil-rubbed finish with subtle copper highlights, bringing a touch of elegance to the space.
    15. Oil Rubbed Bronze: Rich and rustic, Oil Rubbed Bronze showcases a dark, earthy finish with hints of copper and bronze, adding warmth and depth to the decor.
    16. Matte Black: Bold and modern, Matte Black offers a velvety matte finish that creates a striking contrast and adds a contemporary edge to any room.
    17. Polished Black: Glossy and dramatic, Polished Black exudes a sleek and reflective surface, making a bold statement in modern interiors.
    18. Polished Gold: Luxurious and regal, Polished Gold features a brilliant, mirror-like finish that adds glamour and opulence to the decor.
    19. Matte Gold: Elegant and refined, Matte Gold offers a subdued, velvety finish with a soft golden hue, creating a sophisticated and understated look.
    20. Brushed Gold: Chic and contemporary, Brushed Gold showcases a brushed texture with a warm golden tone, blending modern style with timeless elegance.
    21. Rose Gold: Romantic and trendy, Rose Gold presents a soft, pinkish hue with a subtle metallic shimmer, adding a touch of femininity and charm to any space.

 

 

 

 

Can You mix different faucet colors?

Depends, while there is some risk involved in mixing faucet colors, it can also lead to unique and creative design choices. Nonetheless mixing faucet colors or finishes is usually a design choice that allows for creativity and personalization. However mixing the wrong faucet colors may result in a less harmonious or visually appealing outcome.

By following few tips and considering the overall design concept, you can successfully incorporate a mix of colors or finishes in your bathroom while maintaining a cohesive and stylish look.

Here are a few tips to ensure a cohesive and balanced result:

      1. Maintain a Consistent Style: While you can mix different colors or finishes, it’s essential to maintain a consistent style or theme throughout your bathroom. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, whether it’s modern, traditional, eclectic, or any other style. Ensure that the different faucet colors or finishes you choose complement the overall design concept.
      2. Choose a Dominant Finish: To create a cohesive look, consider selecting one dominant faucet finish and then incorporate accents in different colors or finishes. For example, you might choose chrome as the dominant finish for most of the faucets and then add an accent faucet in a different color like matte black or gold to create a focal point.
      3. Coordinate with Other Fixtures: Pay attention to other fixtures in your bathroom, such as showerheads, towel bars, and cabinet hardware. Aim for coordination or complementary colors and finishes across all fixtures. This will help tie the different elements together and create a harmonious overall look.
      4. Consider the Balance: Ensure that the combination of different faucet colors or finishes achieves a balanced visual composition. Avoid overwhelming the space with too many contrasting elements. Instead, aim for a cohesive and visually pleasing arrangement by strategically placing and distributing the different colors or finishes.

However avoid the following common or potential mistakes 

      • Visual Clashing: Mixing faucet colors that clash or do not complement each other can create a discordant look. Consider the color wheel and choose colors that are either complementary (opposite on the color wheel) or within the same color family for a more harmonious result.
      • Style Confusion: Mixing faucet colors that do not align with the overall style of your bathroom can create a sense of confusion. Ensure that the colors you choose enhance the desired design style and fit with the existing elements in the space.
      • Overwhelming the Space: Introducing too many different faucet colors without a thoughtful approach can overwhelm the visual appeal of your bathroom. Aim for balance and moderation to avoid a cluttered or chaotic appearance.
      • Consider the Trend Longevity: Trends and personal preferences can change over time. Consider whether the faucet colors you choose will stand the test of time or if they might become outdated or lose their appeal quickly.

Here are samples of Faucet Colors to consider:

Antique Brass Double Handle Brass Faucet

What is the difference between a sink faucet and a bathroom faucet?

The main difference between a sink faucet and a bathroom faucet lies in their intended use and design. Bathroom faucets are typically smaller and more compact compared to sink faucets. They are available in various styles, including single-handle faucets, two-handle faucets, and wall-mounted faucets. Bathroom faucets often have a lower spout height to suit the smaller size of bathroom sinks and offer a range of design options to complement different bathroom aesthetics.

While both sink faucets and bathroom faucets serve the purpose of providing water flow, they differ in terms of size, design, and intended use. Sink faucets are designed for larger sinks, such as kitchen or utility sinks, while bathroom faucets are specifically tailored for use with bathroom sinks, including vanity or lavatory sinks.

Suex Rose Gold Sink Faucet with Crystal Handles

Should sink faucet finish should be the same as the bathroom faucet finish?

It is a matter of personal preference and design cohesion. Here are a few considerations to help you decide:

Red Aluminum Kitchen Faucet Kitchen Tap Kitchen Mixer Sinke Faucet Sink Tap

Having the same finish for both the sink faucet and bathroom faucet can create a cohesive and unified look in your bathroom. It provides a sense of consistency and coordination, tying the elements together for a harmonious overall design.

Black Kitchen Faucet

On the other hand, using different finishes for the sink faucet and bathroom faucet can create visual interest and add dimension to your bathroom. It allows you to introduce contrasting elements or create focal points. For example, you might choose a different finish for the sink faucet to make it stand out as a unique design feature.

Coordinating Fixtures: Take into account other fixtures in your bathroom, such as showerheads, towel bars, and cabinet hardware. Consider whether the finishes of these fixtures should also coordinate with the sink and bathroom faucets. Having consistent finishes across all fixtures can create a cohesive and polished appearance.

Lumina Solid Brass Luxurious 8 Inch Widespread Bathroom Faucet

Consider the overall style and aesthetic you want to achieve in your bathroom. Matching finishes can contribute to a more traditional or streamlined look, while mixing finishes can enhance a modern or eclectic design. Select finishes that align with your desired style and complement the other fixtures and elements in the space.

Lavorato Antique Single Handle Luxury Carved Sink Faucet

Faucet colors come in the basics and the special. The standard colors/ finishes are chrome, brushed nickel, stainless steel, pewter,  gold, bronze, and black. The special colors are the rose gold, blue, green, yellow, pink and the red. Normally the special colors are a non stock faucet color and they are usually special order.

You probably have also noticed the are motion sensor faucets  with many colors/finishes that are available in public restrooms which you can actually get one of those touchless faucets in your own home? This touchless operation technology is becoming widely used so that you don’t have to touch dirty faucet handles or make them dirty with your hands. It’s more sanitary and it no doubt saves water. Here are few examples of touchless faucets.

Gold Plated Contemporary touchless bathroom faucets

Geneva Commercial Hands Free Rose Gold Deck Mount Sensor Faucet

Conto Solid Brass Bathroom Sensor Faucet

The sensor is usually located below the nozzle and you just wave your hands in front of it to start the flow of water. There are even conversion kits out there to turn a normal faucet into a motion sensor faucet. This is much different from the touch technology, which gives you the ability to bump the nozzle to start the flow of water.

Leo All in one bathroom sensor faucets

Fits Your Decor

Maybe you don’t want to remodel your kitchen or bathroom with a modern look. There are many antique, deco and other styles of faucets that come with motion technology. This gives you the ability to select a new sensor faucet with the best technology into any  style you choose. If you want an art deco look, you can find faucets with this technology built in or if you want an antique look, those faucets exist, as well. Just make sure you read the reviews and find out all the details before you commit to buy your new faucet.

The motion sensor faucets finish is an important design element that can not be overlooked in the overall style of your sink and bath surround. Any new sink faucet is another opportunity to introduce a new design element within your bath. You can select your sensor faucets finish in brass, copper, chrome, nickel, gold-plated, oil-rubbed metals, to a matte or shiny finish, all are now available in all price ranges.

If you choose an oil-rubbed sensor with Tuscan style, the brownish, burnt tone gives it a rustic look that also works well in a cabin or cottage setting. If you’re going for a Scandinavian style, chrome still works best. For a richer, more elegant look to the faucet, particularly in a powder room, you can experiment more with nickel.

Different Faucet Finishes to Choose from

Aside from the shape of the faucet itself, designers shoot for uniformity of finish, even though you can still select different finishes within a bathroom but it has to complement the overall style and colors. So you can mix your bath fixture finishes with other fixtures in the bath as long as they blend together. If you prefer smooth or shiny, you might pick a chrome finish. If you’re looking for texture, an oil-rubbed product might work. If water spots drive you crazy, matte finishes can solve the problem. Faucets are traditionally made of brass, as it is a reasonably strong metal it does not rust. The surface of the exterior of the tap can be anything from gold plate, chrome, oil rubbed bronze to a powder coat finish or baked enamel.

 Brushed Nickel Faucets

Stainless Steel Faucets

Stainless steel is a popular BathSelect material for sink faucets. Made up of a blend of steel alloys and chromium, it is designed to be rugged and long lasting. Stainless steel is generally one of the most affordable and durable faucet finish options, though this does not mean that all stainless steel faucets are inexpensive.

They come in a variety of price points and in a variety of shapes and styles. Such faucet finish and color has the following advantages: they won’t corrode or tarnish, easy to clean, blends well with almost any décor; they are long-lasting and made of the solid material – no plating involved.

Naples Oil Rubbed Bronze Pullout Kitchen Faucet

Oil Rubbed Bronze Motion Sensor Faucets

The Oil Rubbed Bronze delivers a rich, dark brown old world artisanship finish. The oil rubbed bronze color has been in style for ages and probably will never go out of style. Most bronze faucets will give rustic appearance to any bathroom. Although the ORB finish might differ from one faucet to another it is important to check the tone of the bronze finish before mixing and matching different faucets from different suppliers.

Chrome Faucets

Chrome is another popular finish for BathSelect faucets – it is created by electroplating chrome over a solid brass fixture. Like stainless steel, chrome faucets are silver in color, though considerably more shiny in appearance. You will find chrome faucets to be very economical, though you can certainly find splurge models as well. The chrome bathroom faucets do not scratch, corrode and they resist tarnish hence they are long-lasting.

Kitchen Mixer Faucet Single Lever Swivel Spout

Brass Faucets

Brass faucets are a bit less common than stainless steel and chrome faucets, but they have certainly earned a loyal following and have been used in bathrooms for a very long time. Unlike stainless steel and chrome faucets, brass faucets are made up of a single metal-no plating or metal blends involved. Expect to pay a bit more for a brass fixture, and to have fewer models to choose from, they have a distinct look and made of solid material.

Brushed Nickel Faucets

Brushed nickel faucets are the latest in bathroom trends. Much like chrome, nickel finishes are created through electroplating – in this case, applying nickel plate over solid brass. Due to the current popularity, there are numerous styles to choose from and a model for every budget. The finish hides scratches, fingerprinting and water spots – brushed nickel faucets doesn’t tarnish easily.

The Benefits of a Faucet with Motion Technology

Cleanliness

Imagine you are cooking dinner and you just put your hand in raw hamburger or touched raw chicken. Do you really want to touch the knob to turn the faucet on, wash your hands and then touch the dirty knob again to turn the faucet off? This defeats the purpose and with motion technology, you don’t have to worry about this. Instead of passing the germs onto the knob, then back onto your clean hands, you can simply wave your hand in front of the sensor and the water will start.

You don’t even have to bump the faucet with your arm or elbow to get it started. This is a great benefit of using this type of faucet and you will not have to worry about passing germs back and forth.

Convenience

What if your hands are full of something you need to wash? You don’t have to set it all down, just wave your hand or one of the items in front of the sensor and you are set. This makes it easy to clean up after cooking, clean vegetables before cooking and to do many other tasks in the kitchen that you need to perform.

Saves You Water

How many times do you brush your teeth and leave the water running the entire time you don’t need it. We all do it, but you don’t have to worry about it anymore with the motion sensor technology. The faucet can be set to shut off as soon as the sensor no longer senses any movement. This will help you save water when you would normally just leave the faucet running.

Better Construction

Typically, because these faucets are made by top companies and made to last, they are built better. Since the motion technology is not as cheap as your everyday faucet, the manufactures surround it with high quality materials. Most are made with brass on the inside and a variety of finishes ranging from oil rubbed bronze to chrome on the outside. Oil Rubbed Bronze Touchless Motion Sensor Faucets

In this article we covered the following:

faucet colors
colors of faucets
colored faucets
bathroom faucet colors
faucet colors and finishes
bathroom faucet finishes
bathroom fixture colors
elements of design faucets
kitchen faucet colors
kitchen faucet finishes
fixture colors
bathroom hardware finishes
different faucet finishes
what color faucet for stainless steel sink

written by

Volia works with Bath Select as a product specialist and writes about installation process and buying guides for our products.