Brushed Nickel vs Chrome: Comparing 6 Key Aspects for Bathrooms & Kitchens
Updated on August 16, 2022
How fixtures look inside bathrooms and kitchens can change the entire home. If you can’t choose between brushed nickel vs chrome, read on to discover the key differences between these two designs.
This article compares brushed nickel to chrome in terms of appearance, aesthetics, best home style, durability, maintenance, and price. Furthermore, we will show you what it means to use brushed nickel or chrome in your kitchen or bathroom.
Table of Contents
Not Enough Time for a Full Read? Here Are the Key Differences Between Brushed Nickel vs Chrome (Summary)
| Brushed Nickel | Chrome | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Nickel | Steel |
| Appearance | Matte | Shiny |
| Finish | Smooth | Smooth |
| Aesthetics | Low-key sleek and modern | High-key sleek and modern |
| Best style | Minimalistic | Futuristic |
| Durability | High, withstands corrosion | High, withstands corrosion |
| Maintenance | Easy | Hard |
| Price | Affordable (slightly cheaper than chrome) | Affordable (slightly more expensive than brushed nickel) |
In the next section, discover a detailed comparison of brushed nickel vs chrome.
Brushed Nickel vs Chrome Comparison (Detailed)
This section provides you with detailed information about the key differences between brushed nickel and chrome when it comes to appearance, aesthetics, best home style, durability, maintenance, and price.
Let’s start with appearance.
Appearance
Regarding the appearance of brushed nickel and chrome, you should know that chrome is shiny, ideal for a high-key sleek and modern style, as long as you want chrome to be the focus of attention. Chrome definitely makes kitchen and bathroom fixtures stand out.
The shininess of chrome is represented by light, which reflects off the surface. The light is reflected due to the way chrome plating is applied to the metal.
Brushed nickel is matte, giving your bathroom or kitchen a modern feel that most people want. Brushed nickel is significantly tamer than chrome, thanks to its matte appearance. The matte appearance is owed to how brushed nickel was brushed down with wire to remove the shininess.
In the next section, check out aesthetics and best style.
Aesthetics and Best Style
When comparing brushed nickel to chrome in terms of aesthetics, brushed nickel is low-key sleek and modern. It doesn’t share the flashy features of chrome, so brushed nickel is less likely to grab the attention of viewers entering a room. This gives you the opportunity to adopt the minimalistic style or highlight other home decor elements.
Chrome looks more futuristic than brushed nickel, and it can make a bathroom or kitchen stand out. You can definitely consider chrome to be high-key sleek and modern. Still, it’s important to understand that both brushed nickel and chrome are considered classical design options.
In the next section, check out durability.
Durability
When it comes to durability and resistance to corrosion, brushed nickel and chrome finishes are similar, performing equally well. They won’t rush or corrode easily unless exposed to seawater, so you can choose any of them to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom.
In the next section, check out maintenance requirements.
Maintenance
As far as maintenance is concerned, brushed nickel is easier to clean than chrome. All you need to do is quickly wipe down brushed nickel with a soft cloth, without having to use specialized cleaners or expensive maintenance procedures.
Chrome is high-maintenance since it does a poor job hiding watermarks, fingerprints, and other blemishes. To keep it looking good, you must polish chrome regularly using specific cleaning solutions and materials. For example, you can get rid of stains from chrome by using a mixture made of equal parts plain water and distilled white vinegar.
So if you’re looking for something that doesn’t require much upkeep, go with brushed nickel.
In the next section, check out price.
Price
The cost differences between brushed nickel and chrome are minimal, so you won’t really notice a difference in your budget. Besides, there are always discounts available, so it’s best to do thorough research before purchasing a new kitchen faucet, bathroom faucet, tissue roll, or other fixtures with a chrome or brushed nickel finish.
In the next section, find out all about using brushed nickel or chrome in the kitchen.
Using Brushed Nickel or Chrome in the Kitchen
When building a new kitchen or upgrading an existing one, it’s important to get an overview of brushed nickel and chrome to decide which is the better choice for you.
A kitchen is a place where your furniture needs to withstand wear and tear, including:
- Occasional food stains
- Excess steam from all that cooking
- Greasy fingers and subsequent applications of grease remover
- Significant temperature differences from all the accumulated heat
Using chrome in the kitchen is a good idea.Since chrome is usually found on appliances with a lot of shine, it’s best to use this finish when you brighten your kitchen by highlighting taps and faucets.Careful not to overdo it, or your kitchen might end up looking gaudy.
Brushed nickel adds a low-key modern and sleek look to your kitchen since it’s not as shiny as chrome. Plus, unlike chrome, brushed nickel withstands fingerprints, so you won’t have to clean it often.
If you’re looking for an understated finish that will still make a statement, brushed nickel is the way to go.
In the next section, find out all about using brushed nickel or chrome in the bathroom.
Using Brushed Nickel or Chrome in the Bathroom
Similar to kitchens, bathrooms containfurniture that must withstand constant sources of wear and tear, the most common being:
- Excess steam and condensations from showers and baths
- Fingerprints and watermarks
- Strong chemicals like bleach solutions for cleaning
Using chrome in the bathroom will really brighten up the area, which is ideal for small bathrooms. Besides, if you have already made up your mind about using chrome in the kitchen, you might be interested in maintaining the same finish throughout your home.
Brushed nickel can upgrade an old bathroom, especially when it comes to bathtubs and sinks. And you won’t have to worry about cleaning water stains as often as with chrome.
It’s best to consider the lighting in your bathroom before making a decision. If it’s too bright, the water stains and fingerprints of a chrome finish remain visible until you clean the fixtures.
The next section provides you with additional information about chrome and brushed nickel finishes.
FAQ
This section gives you simple answers to common questions about the brushed nickel and chrome design options.
What is brushed nickel?
Brushed nickel is a soft and subtle finish that gives the fixtures in your kitchen or bathroom a shineless, muted, and elegant design.
What color is brushed nickel?
There are two main colors of brushed nickel: bright brushed nickel (shiny, silver) and satin brushed nickel (looks antique).
How do I clean brushed nickel?
Cleaning brushed nickel is easy – all you need is a soft cloth and warm water. Wipe down the fixtures with the cloth, then rinse off any residue.
The next and final section summarizes the entire article on brushed nickle vs chrome.
Conclusion
When choosing between chrome and brushed nickel finishes for your kitchen or bathroom, it’s essential to consider their appearance, aesthetics, best home style, durability, maintenance, and price.
Aside from your personal taste, it’s best to take into account the lighting, size, and colors of your kitchen or bathroom since they play an essential role in determining whether you should go with a brushed nickel or chrome finish.
What do you prefer between brushed nickel and chrome? Share your thoughts in the comments below!