How to Choose the Best Fixture Finish for Your Home

If you’re interested in giving your home a fresh look on a budget, one great way to do so can be to swap out your fixtures for ones with a new finish. From doorknobs to cabinet pulls to faucets to lighting fixtures, there are many design elements in your home that can become worn and outdated over time. Yet as a homeowner, these elements likely aren’t something you think about often. Swapping these items out for others of a new finish color can actually change the way your home looks in fairly dramatic ways. If you’re looking to update your home, fixtures are a great place to start.

Updating the pulls and knobs on your dressers, desks and hutches can be a great way to make your furniture your own as well. Whether you’re trying to get a piece to better fit the room you want to place it in or you’re simply looking for a change, updating the finish or style of drawer pulls and handles can be an inexpensive way to redesign a piece of furniture.

However, once you’ve decided to swap some of your fixtures out, you may find that there are an almost overwhelming number of choices. One of the most important things you’ll have to decide is what metal finish to choose for your home. Here are some important things to keep in mind when you’re trying to decide which fixture finish goes best with your design style.

4 Tips to Choose the Best Fixture Finish

Consider the Finish Look You Want

Some finishes are known for having an extremely “clean” look while others – like brass – are known for having a more vintage look. Consider why you’re making this update in the first place. Do you want the room to look more modern, more romantic, more eclectic? Knowing what type of look you’d like to end up with can help you to hone in on a particular type of finish.

Brushed vs. Polished Finish

From there, you’ll want to understand if you’d prefer to have a brushed or polished finish for your new fixtures. This choice can impact not just what type of look you have, but sometimes what type of cleaning routine you have. As a result, this is a decision that’s very personal.

Finish Consistency

Some finishes, like polished brass, tend to be fairly standard across manufacturers. However, there’s no guarantee that what one manufacturer calls “brushed nickel” will have the same exact look as another manufacturer’s take on brushed nickel. It’s worthwhile once you find a finish you like to choose all fixtures from the same manufacturer to keep things consistent.

Mixed Metals

That’s not to say that mixing metals is completely taboo. More advanced home decorators can find joy in mixing metals, much the same way some fashionistas enjoy mixing prints. If you’ve found a bronze chandelier you absolutely adore but loathe the idea of bronze faucets, all is not lost. Take the time to do some extra work finding metals that coordinate well in your design.

Your fixtures can breathe fresh life into your space. They can also be a great way to dress up a new piece of furniture or really make it your own by changing out the handles or drawer pulls. If you have pictures of updates you’ve done to your home or furniture, we’d love to see. Feel free to post pictures of updates you’ve made on our Facebook page.