Is Fixture Finish Really Just Personal Preference? Maybe Not!

For homeowners making kitchen remodel decisions, choosing fixture finishes for faucets, cabinet handles, and appliances may come down to one question—does the finish complement the room’s overall aesthetic?

Style matching is certainly important. However, it’s not all that matters. If you want to get the most ROI from a kitchen remodel from a home value perspective, fixture finish goes beyond appearances.

Here’s what you should consider when choosing fixture finishes.

4 Popular Fixture Finishes to Consider

Before diving into the impact of fixture finish on home value, you have to know what your options are to begin with. As you plan out your kitchen remodel, there are four popular fixture finishes you may consider:

• Chrome: This is the most common finish because of its affordability and flexibility. It fits into just about every style. While chrome will show fingerprints and water marks, it can be cleaned quickly and easily.
• Nickel: There are two nickel options—brushed and polished. Brushed nickel is a low-maintenance alternative to chrome. Polished nickel offers a shinier finish than brushed options but comes at a higher price. If you’re planning to install stainless steel appliances, you may want to consider a fixture finish that matches better than nickel does.
• Oil-Rubbed Bronze: A popular choice these days, oil-rubbed bronze has a slightly darker finish than brushed bronze. If you’re going with a more traditional aesthetic for the bathroom, this dark bronze finish offers you a nice, stylish alternative to chrome and nickel. While it’s easy to clean and readily available, it can be an expensive option for kitchen fixtures.
• Brass: For a long time, both polished and satin brass were falling out of style. They were found mostly in traditionally-styled kitchens. Now, both are coming back into style as striking finishes that are easy to maintain. However, you’ll pay more for these options than finishes like chrome or nickel.

There’s really no right or wrong answers when it comes to fixture finishes. Each option has its pros and cons, but the driving factors will be your budget, personal preferences, and the overall style of the kitchen.

Getting the most value out of this decision means finding the balance between budget and style. 

Getting the Most Value for Fixture Finishes 

Fixture finishes provide the literal finishing touch on your kitchen remodel. And while mixing-and-matching can be an acceptable practice (if done correctly), most designers will aim for uniformity.

That’s because home value return on investment (ROI) is as much about perceived value as it is about the actual materials used in the project.

Homeowners can’t afford to overlook fixture finishes, even if they seem less significant than other aspects of the project. It’s not a decision that should be made blindly. Working with a professional designer is your best bet for making the perfect fixture finish decision.