I totally get where you’re coming from with the “living finishes.” I once had a client who insisted on unlacquered brass for their kitchen, and at first, it looked incredible—super warm and inviting. But after a few months, the handles started developing these uneven spots where people touched them the most. Some folks love that whole “worn in” vibe, but honestly, it drove my client nuts. She kept trying to polish out the patina, which kind of defeats the purpose.
Personally, I think living finishes can look beautiful if you’re okay with a bit of unpredictability and don’t mind things looking less than perfect. But if you like things tidy and consistent, brushed nickel or matte stainless really is the way to go. They’re not flashy, but they hide fingerprints and water spots so much better. I’ve seen a few recycled stainless options lately too, and they hold up well—plus, you get that eco-friendly bonus. Sometimes, less maintenance is just worth it, even if it’s not the trendiest choice.
Sink Fixtures Driving Me Nuts Lately
I hear you on the “living finishes”—they look great in photos, but I just can’t justify paying more for something that’s going to look spotty and weird after a few months. I’d rather spend less and not stress every time someone touches the faucet. Maybe I’m boring, but give me low-maintenance any day... my sanity is worth more than trendy hardware.
Sink Fixtures Driving Me Nuts Lately
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve fallen for those “living finish” faucets twice now—once in the powder room, once in the kitchen—and both times I regretted it within a year. The patina sounds charming in theory, but in practice it’s just water spots and fingerprints that never really go away. I’m convinced those magazine photos are staged with brand new hardware and perfect lighting, because mine never looked like that after a week.
I know some folks swear by the character and “story” these finishes develop, but honestly, I’d rather have something that just wipes clean. Brushed nickel might not be trendy but it hides everything and doesn’t make me cringe every time someone with wet hands uses the sink. Sometimes boring is just practical. I’d rather put the money into better plumbing or a deeper sink than a fussy finish that needs babying.
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t want to spend my weekends buffing out water spots or explaining to guests that “it’s supposed to look like that.” Give me low-maintenance any day...
Sink Fixtures Driving Me Nuts Lately
Totally agree—those “living finishes” look great in photos but are a pain in real life. I went with chrome for my last reno just because it was cheaper and easy to clean. Have you found any finishes that actually hold up without constant maintenance?
- Totally get where you're coming from—those “living finishes” are high-maintenance and honestly, not worth the headache for most people.
- Chrome is a solid choice. It’s not fancy, but it just works and wipes clean.
- Brushed nickel holds up decently too, but it can show water spots if you’re picky.
- Matte black looks cool but every fingerprint shows... learned that the hard way.
- At the end of the day, durability beats trendy finishes for me. Don’t sweat it—most people don’t notice the difference anyway.
