Should all bathroom hardware match?

[amz155]

I posted a question a while ago asking people's opinion about chrome vs. satin/brushed nickel bathroom accessories (towel bar, toilet paper holder, etc.). Most people preferred the satin/brushed nickel types.

Now I'm wondering, should the faucet, bathroom accessories, cabinet knobs and bathroom door knobs all match?

Our master bathroom faucets will be builder's chrome, cabinet knobs will be brushed nickel, door knobs on bathroom door we will eventually upgrade to brushed nickel.

Eventually we may upgrade the faucet, but I'm not sure what finish we'd prefer at that time: chrome or brushed nickel. Is either finish easier to clean?

We need to purchase some towel bars, etc. soon so we need to decide what would look better. Best to match accessories to the faucet? To the cabinet knobs? Is mixing fine or tacky?

So far, most of the accessories we've liked in terms of style have been chrome finished. We tend to find that the satin nickel ones look a bit cheap while the brushed nickel ones are fine looking too.

Opinions?

[brew99]

I think you will find that if you look at all the magazines that feature bathroom makeovers, that there is not much variation in the finishes of the accessories. Everyone knows that chrome are the cheapest (that is why builders use them), and if you start mixing them, you will also have a cheap look (like it was not planned). I would stick to the same finishes for the major items (i.e. tub/shower kits, vanity faucet, toilet paper holder, robe hooks, etc.), and not worry so much about the vanity cabinet knobs.

[amz155]

I do agree that in magazines/website that feature decorated bathrooms that usually everything matches. I do notice that many of them use accessories in a chrome finish, though. To me, the shiny look is more "clean and sparkly" while the brushed nickel is more funky and modern.

Since we aren't going to be replaced our faucets any time soon, I guess we should just match the towel bars, etc. to those.

[Safire]

I don't think mixing chrome and nickel is such a big deal (but when you throw brass in the mix it gets ugly fast!). As long as pieces of different finish are not directly beside each other, it shouldn't be too obvious. JMO

[CaptSmethwick]

I don't think mixing chrome and nickel is such a big deal (but when you throw brass in the mix it gets ugly fast!). As long as pieces of different finish are not directly beside each other, it shouldn't be too obvious. JMO

+1

Chrome faucets are fine with satin nickel provided they aren't too close together and they do not truly clash with one another. That being said, metalwork in a house "should" be as unified as possible. Still, an advantage of chrome is how easily it's kept clean and spot-free - plus it's durable. This makes it an excellent finish for faucets.

[speedyforme]

I have some brushed chrome but I ended up choosing chrome for my faucets, towel bar holders etc. Just easier to keep clean and I like the shine. :cheesygri

[Maymybonneliveforever]

I really don't have much decorating sense but I always thought that they should always match if they are in view of each other. I do agree that chrome tends to be the lowest price in material, but I guess it's all about supply and demand and the cost of materials.

Good luck with your decorating and would like to hear from someone in the field, so I can learn a thing of two.