Interior design trends are ever-changing, with one thing trending one year but “out” the next. With all of these changes, it’s hard to keep up! For example, are your bathroom faucets supposed to match your light fixtures? Does it even matter? For some folks, mixing finishes is the perfect way to create contrast, but it’s an extra step to worry about for others.
While the decision ultimately falls to you, a few things might help you decide one way or another. So, without further ado, let’s see – should bathroom faucets match the light fixtures or not?
Should Your Light Fixtures Match Your Faucet?
While your light fixtures can match your faucet, they don’t have to. Mixing varying finishes in your bathroom can help create contrast and spice up the space, as some folks don’t appreciate the monotony of a single finish.
That said, you can always stick with the same faucet finish if you prefer a cohesive look. Plus, matching finishes throughout the entire space, including the light fixtures and faucet, can make the process even easier. That way, you don’t need to worry about clashing tones or correlating colors.
Finish Mixing Tips
Many interior designers recommend mixing fixtures finishes for added diversity in a space, but they usually offer a few guidelines. The most common advice? Stick with similar tones. For example, if you want to use a warm finish, combine it with other warm finishes. The same applies to cool tones.
For example, if you want to work with gold finishes, choose another warm-toned finish, like oil-rubbed bronze, brass, or nickel (silver finish with a warm undertone). Or, if you prefer silver tones, mix chrome, stainless steel, or nickel (although it has a warm undertone).
Black and white finishes are versatile, so you can match them with almost any color scheme. That said, polished black finishes are widely viewed as a cooler tone, as the glossy surface reflects light, creating a cooler appearance.
Are Matching Bathroom Finishes Outdated?
Mixing finishes is a popular design trend, especially in recent years. So, does that mean matching bathroom fixtures are outdated? Nope! Although matching palettes (think monochromatic) isn’t the most popular thing in the world of interior design right now, it doesn’t mean they’re outdated.
Matching bathroom finishes remains a popular design option, especially in the professional world. For example, consider the last public restroom you visited (airports, restaurants, stores, etc.). In many of these spaces, the fixture finish is consistent throughout the area, as many individuals think it creates a professional and clean appearance.
So, if you like the look of matching bathroom finishes, go for it! Even if it was “out of style,” it’s your house, so you can decorate it to your heart’s content!
Effortless Finish Combinations
Ready to select a few fixture finishes but not sure which ones to pick? The process can be overwhelming, so to help you out, here are a few of the most popular (and easy) finish combinations.
Black And Silver
One of the easiest ways to mix faucet finishes is by pairing black and silver. You can incorporate matte or polished black fixtures with varying silver finishes, including stainless steel, chrome, and more. They work beautifully together, creating a stark contrast without much effort.
Gold And Bronze
Many folks refer to bronze faucets as gold, even though they’re not the same thing. Although the color seems similar when the two finishes aren’t side-by-side, it’s easy to identify the difference when looking at both together. Given their similarities, these finishes work well together.
Bronze fixtures, such as champagne bronze faucets, offer a muted gold finish with a matte surface. On the other hand, gold offers a more pigmented gold hue with a glossy, satin, or matte finish. Pair a beautiful champagne bronze faucet with gold sconce lights in your bathroom for a cohesive (but not matching) finish.
Black And Gold
It’s hard to go wrong with black and gold finishes, especially in your bathroom. Opt for a rich, matte black faucet with gold lights for an eye-catching contrast, or flip the script with a gold tap. These finishes pair well together yet are far from matching, so they work well regardless of how you position them in the space.
Copper And Oil-Rubbed Bronze
The bright, rosy amber surface of copper faucets is the perfect way to add a pop of color to your bathroom. Pair the faucet with oil-rubbed bronze for a correlating (but not matching) color combo. The coppery notes of oil-rubbed bronze will catch the light and complement your faucet.
Keep It Simple
There’s nothing wrong with choosing the same bathroom finish throughout the space. You can always tie in diversity and contrast with other aspects of your bathroom, like the decor, paint color, themes, and lighting. We’ll explain a few ways to spice up your bathroom remodel with these features below (even if you don’t choose an extra finish for your bathroom).
5 Considerations For Choosing The Perfect Color Scheme
As you browse for the perfect fixture finishes, don’t forget to consider other aspects of your color scheme. You’ll need to consider things like paint colors, decor, themes, lighting, and your budget, as each element can affect your choices. Here’s what you need to know.
1. Paint Color
As you search for the perfect fixture finish, don’t forget to consider your wall color. Although most fixture finishes are versatile and correlate with a wide array of paint colors, some might clash with specific finishes.
You can use the paint color to create a cohesive look or to add a splash of color to the space. For example, let’s say you choose an eye-catching gold faucet with modern champagne bronze pendant lights. You could paint the walls a warm beige color or cream tone for a cohesive appearance. Or, to mix it up with stark contrast, paint the walls with a rich, emerald green.
2. Decor
As you debate the merits of your color scheme, don’t forget to consider decor pieces you want to include throughout the space. Decor pieces, including countertop pieces and wall art, are an excellent way to bring in extra color and finishes.
For example, you could tie in your silver pendant lights by including a silver and wood-framed mirror. Or, bring the pop of color in your bathroom rug to the walls by adding a stunning piece of wall art with that color throughout.
3. Theme
Do you have a particular theme for the space in mind? If not, it doesn’t hurt to research a few ideas or pull up inspirational pictures to help craft a well-designed color scheme. It’s easy to forget that you’re designing a single space and accidentally choose your favorite colors, finishes, and decor pieces that don’t necessarily flow together.
Of course, it is your house, so you can always create diverse contrast in the space with varying themes in one. However, if you’re hoping for a streamlined appearance, developing a general theme you want to stick to is not a bad idea. You can always redirect your goal later if you decide you don’t like the theme, but it’s usually best to have an idea to work with.
4. Lighting
Natural light can make a significant difference in a bathroom, especially when there’s an abundant amount of light streaming through large windows. It can create a more open feel in the space, allowing you to make bolder design choices.
So, as you debate the merits of your color scheme, remember to consider the amount of natural light in the space. While you can choose whatever color palette you like, you might find that some colors work best in specific settings.
For example, a lighter wall color and matching/contrasting finishes work well in a smaller bathroom without much natural light. Or, if you’re working with a smaller bathroom with abundant natural light, darker colors and contrasting finishes can work beautifully since the natural light helps create the illusion of a larger space.
5. Budget
While the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the perfect finishes for your bathroom, there might be budget limitations. For example, if you’re hoping to complete your bathroom renovation on a budget, choosing luxurious faucet and light fixture finishes might not be the best option.
For example, gold, oil-rubbed bronze, and similar finishes tend to be pricier than the basics, so they might not work with your project budget. Of course, cheaper options in these finishes are available, but this is a factor to consider as you weigh each finish.
So, Should The Light Fixtures Match The Bathroom Faucet?
While it’d be easy if we gave a universal answer, it’s not quite that simple. See, every individual has different aesthetic preferences. So, while some folks might appreciate the easy convenience and simplicity of matching fixture finishes, others might view it as boring.
On the other hand, some folks might appreciate the mixture of finishes through a space to create contrast, while others might view it as overwhelming. So, it depends on your aesthetic preferences and opinions. Choose the option that works best for your home!