Sink Fixtures Driving Me Nuts Lately
Matte black looks slick at first, but yeah, it’s a total fingerprint magnet. I swear, even thinking about touching those fixtures leaves a mark. Haven’t tried PVD yet, but I’m a little skeptical about how much tougher it really is. Does it actually hold up to hard water, or is it just another marketing thing? Stainless has its own issues but at least you know what you’re getting. Curious if anyone’s stuck with brass or something less trendy and been happier in the long run…
Tried PVD on a bathroom reno last year—honestly, it’s tougher than regular paint, but hard water still leaves spots. Stainless is easier to live with, just less flashy. Brass ages well if you’re into that lived-in look, but it needs a bit of care too. Nothing’s totally set-and-forget, sadly.
Nothing’s totally set-and-forget, sadly.
Yeah, that’s the truth. I’ve specified PVD a few times thinking it’d be the magic bullet, but hard water just laughs at all of us. Stainless is definitely lower maintenance, but sometimes it just feels a bit too “commercial kitchen” for a home bath, you know? Brass has character, but I’ve seen it go from charming to “why is this green?” pretty fast if folks skip the upkeep. Honestly, I wish there was a finish that looked great and didn’t care about water spots or fingerprints... maybe in another decade?
Stainless is definitely lower maintenance, but sometimes it just feels a bit too “commercial kitchen” for a home bath, you know?
Funny, I actually like the industrial vibe of stainless in a bathroom—feels clean and timeless to me. Maybe it’s just what you pair it with? I’ve had less luck with matte black finishes; they look great for about a week, then every smudge shows up.
I’ve had less luck with matte black finishes; they look great for about a week, then every smudge shows up.
Totally get that. I tried matte black in our powder room and it was a constant battle with water spots and fingerprints. What worked for me was pairing stainless with warmer elements—think wood shelves or a textured shower curtain. It softens the “commercial” feel and makes it look more intentional. If you’re set on black, maybe try a brushed finish? It hides a bit more.
