I’m torn between that and brushed nickel, but then I wonder if nickel just ends up looking dingy after a while.
Had both in different rentals and my own place. Matte black does look sharp, but you do have to baby it a bit—one of my kids managed to scratch the faucet with a metal toy and it’s pretty obvious now. Brushed nickel hides more than you’d think, especially water spots, but yeah, it can look sorta dull after a couple years. I went with nickel last time just because I didn’t want to stress about every little mark. Black’s cool, but if you’re rough on stuff or have kids, might not be worth the nerves.
Funny, I ran into the same dilemma when I redid my kitchen last year. I was all set on matte black for the modern vibe, but then my buddy showed me his—looked amazing at first, but after a few months you could see every fingerprint and water spot. He’s got teenagers, though, so maybe that’s part of it.
I ended up going with brushed nickel too, mostly because I knew I’d be too lazy to wipe down the faucet every day. It does get a little dull, but honestly, I’d rather deal with that than visible scratches or having to constantly clean. Have you looked at any of the newer finishes? Some of the “spot resist” nickels actually hold up better than I expected. I’m not super careful, and mine still looks decent after a year.
Curious if anyone’s tried those mixed finish faucets—like black with brass accents? I wonder if that hides marks any better, or just doubles the headache...
Sink Fixtures Driving Me Nuts Lately
I hear you on the matte black—looks killer in the showroom, but in real life? Not so much. I’ve got two kids and a dog, and honestly, anything that shows smudges is just asking for trouble. I did see those mixed finish faucets at a friend’s place (black with brass handles), and honestly, the brass part looked alright, but the black still showed water spots. Maybe it depends on the brand? Has anyone tried those new “antique bronze” ones? I’m skeptical they’re any better, but the marketing sure makes them sound like magic...
I hear you on the matte black—looks killer in the showroom, but in real life? Not so much.
Honestly, I think the “antique bronze” finishes are just another marketing gimmick. They do hide smudges a bit better than matte black, but they’re not immune to water spots or fingerprints—especially if you’ve got hard water. I’ve seen a lot of clients get sucked in by how forgiving they look under store lighting, but once you get them home, it’s the same old story.
Mixed finishes can work, but only if you’re okay with a little patina and don’t mind the handles aging differently than the spout. If you’re after something that’s actually low-maintenance, brushed nickel or even stainless steel is still the safest bet. Not the trendiest, but way less hassle day-to-day.
Honestly, unless you’re wiping down your fixtures every time someone washes their hands (who has time for that?), most of these “new” finishes are just more work in disguise.
Totally agree on the “new” finishes being more work than they’re worth. I’ve installed a bunch of them for clients, and honestly, most folks end up frustrated after a few months. Brushed nickel isn’t flashy, but it holds up. Stainless is even better if you don’t mind the industrial vibe. Matte black looks great until you see every water spot and fingerprint—especially with kids around. If you want low-maintenance, stick with what’s tried and true. The trends come and go, but cleaning headaches stick around.
