Brushed Nickel vs. Chrome: Choosing the Right Faucet Finish for Your Home
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to update the look of your kitchen or bathroom is to install new faucets. Two of the most popular finishes for faucets are brushed nickel and chrome; however, many homeowners aren’t quite sure how these finishes differ or which one is the best option for their sinks.
To help you settle the brushed nickel vs. chrome debate, here are some details about each kind of finish and other faucet consideration to keep in mind.
All About Brushed Nickel Finishes
Brushed nickel is a wonderful material for faucets because it is corrosion-resistant and durable. Aesthetically, it has a warmer look than chrome, which is great if you’re going for a comfortable and cozy look in your room. It is easy to match and looks excellent next to white sinks, as well as with stone countertops and a wide range of décor styles. Many people choose brushed nickel finishes to go with both traditional and vintage décor in the kitchen and bathroom.
Brushed nickel does not appear as shiny as chrome, which could be desirable or not, depending on what you’re looking for. Brushed nickel is generally easier to clean than chrome and is a popular choice for busy families and households with kids. It does not show water spots or fingerprints as easily, so it is a more maintenance-free option. Nickel also offers more options for finishes, so you can get a little more variety with your coloring than with chrome, which always has a bluish tint. But if you have stainless steel in your kitchen, be aware that brushed nickel will often blend into the background rather than becoming a focal point.
All About Chrome Finishes
Chrome is another popular faucet finish to go with kitchen and bathroom sinks because it is beautifully reflective with mirror-like qualities. The chrome on faucets is usually plated onto other metals to make it extra hard and resistant. It has been a design staple in industrial settings for many years, but it has also gained tremendous popularly in residential homes as well. It’s easy to match chrome with nearly any color scheme you have chosen for your room. Choose chrome if want your faucet to have a striking and sophisticated appearance. Chrome looks best in very modern rooms, rather than more traditional and nostalgic spaces.
But in terms of durability and longevity, brushed nickel vs. chrome are pretty much equal, and both choices are great for high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. These days, neither brushed nickel or chrome are inherently more expensive than the other, so the cost comparison really comes down to the specific model of faucet you choose and what features it has.
Other Faucet Considerations
In addition to weighing the pros and cons of chrome vs. brushed nickel, there are other important things to think about when buying a new faucet. For example, you will want to make sure that your new faucet matches the other hardware in fixtures in your kitchen or bathroom so that your new finish doesn’t clash with what’s already here. Make sure to take a look at your water lines to make sure that new faucet options are compatible. Pay attention to how many mounting holes are available for the faucet as well because kitchen faucets, for example, are available with one, two, three, or four holes. Other key considerations are whether you would like a soap dispenser or pot-filling dispenser on your faucet, whether your new faucet requires a top-mount or bottom-mount installation, and how durable the materials are in your faucet for everyday use.
Where to Buy Brushed Nickel and Chrome Faucets in the Tri-State Area
At Central Plumbing Specialties, we have so many amazing kitchen faucets and bathroom faucets to choose from to suit every style and budget. The best way to shop for faucets is to see them in-person at one of our Grande Central Showrooms, which are conveniently located throughout New York.
As you decide between brushed nickel vs. chrome for your new faucet, think about the colors that are already in your kitchen, how modern or traditional your kitchen looks, and how much time you have to clean your faucet on a regular basis. For some inspiration, we invite you to browse our selection of faucets online and filter the results by either nickel or chrome. Then when you stop by our showroom nearest to you, our teams of experts will be available to discuss your faucet needs and help you make the best faucet finish decision for your unique home.