How to Mix Metal Finishes in the Bathroom

trasgorshek I actually prefer mixed metals in the bathroom. It's a small space and when everything is the same it kind of smacks you in the face. When mixed well, it adds settle interest.

lvs2travel I like mixing metals. We did a recent reno on our bathroom and used brushed nickel hotel towel rack and door knobs, rustic bronze faucets & lighting, the back plates of the drawer pulls were nickel (but shiny). I found an old weathered metal/wood stand to put bath accessories on. Walls & vanity were white, and the stone was travertine. I think the whole thing came together nicely and like the fact that everything wasn't matchy matchy. (I added 5 photos but only one added to my comment so you can't see the whole bathroom)

Stevie Oh, this is good! I am working on my 15 year old master bath and all my fixtures need updating. There is noting wrong with them and they were $$$ years ago so my challenge is to add more chrome to the brass look of long ago. So far I am able to get a brass and chrome hand held shower head and add some chrome to the towel bars......hope to replace the toilet tissue holder with chrome and that should balance it out more. Nice to see this look.

lvs2travel More photos

azwoodshed I am updating a 15 year old master bath with quality, but very brassy, fixtures. A designer said I can have them chrome plated for a fraction of the cost of replacing them with similar quality fixtures. Anyone done this or seen the results? I was going to replace with new bronze fixtures as all the door hardware and chandelier is bronze...but after seeing this idea book, maybe shiny chrome will work? Anyone have thoughts?

lvs2travel @ azwoodshed: lvs2travel
can you add photos of your bath as it looks now?

azwoodshed Here are some photos of the fixtures. Sink and tub fixtures are Kohler and shower fixtures, which you can see in the mirror on the wall outside the snail shower, are Jandy, which would be expensive to replace. I appreciate any ideas or info. Thanks!

lvs2travel Are you keeping the vanity/countertop the same or changing out?

atheodorakis Love this, with all of the ideas of combining nickel with iron and oil rubbed bronze. Never would have considered it but these inspire me to add some interest to my 'builders brushed nickel' bathroom.

azwoodshed I am changing the vanities out to granite. Thinking about pulling out a chocolate color that is in some detail tiling around the tub.

azwoodshed Also debating whether to scrap the mirrors and put in some framed mirrors and lighting. I plan to sell the house in 2-3 years, so I need to keep costs contained to items that will help sell home or increase the resale value.

lvs2travel I think it depends on how in love with the brass you are. If you love it, make it a purposeful feature. When you replace with granite, maybe one with gold veining & change out the sink as well to something that ties it together (depending on if you go light or dark with your granite). I like your thoughts on changing out the mirror.


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azwoodshed Thank you, lvs2travel for your ideas. I am planning to get rid of the brass as i hate it. My original question was should I change them out for oil rubbed bronze or have them chrome plated for half the price of replacement. A designer is recommending plating them. I am unsure as to how nice that will look and how durable. Chrome is not my first choice and if I were here long term, I would do the bronze. Since I am not, I am thinking chrome will update the look while saving bucks. Has anyone ever plated brass fixtures?

Diamond Spas I think mixing up the metals in the bathroom or any room for that matter "pop" . I have attached an image of a custom stainless steel sink with a bronze faucet that works beautifully. I don't think combining a stainless steel faucet with the stainless steel sink would have not had the same warmth.

portlandcat I'm so glad to see this article as I've done mixed metals in my guest bath and I liked it, so I must not be crazy....:)

tgonzalez2 to azwoodshed. I suggest saving some money by creating a frame for existing mirror.

Sonoma Decorative Arts azwoodshed, I believe that oil rubbed bronze finish is simply brass that has been chemically treated. Shiny brass has a laquer anti tarnish coating on it that would first have to be removed, then the fixtures could be bronzed. Or, yes, you can have them chrome or nickel plated. Check listing under 'plating', or find an autobody shop that does old car restoration, they may know people who do chrome plating. Good luck.

dootieman How about mixing chrome with oil rubbed bronze?

rcates I mixed finishes in our master bath remodel. I have chrome faucets with oil rubbed bronze cabinet handles and matte black doorknobs and hinges. With rustic alder cabinets and a white acrylic stand alone tub, we have a nice 'rustic spa' aesthetic going on. Very relaxing without seeming sterile or stark.

mmsalg If mixed metals is what works in your space and you like the combination...go for it! Sometimes thinking too much about what's acceptable or what works for others stifles the design process. Mixed metals can work beautifully in a bathroom space.

marcie
http://custm.co/hz/88

laurelolivia I bought on a whim a mirrored bath vanity with white marble top, help. I don't know what cabinetry, paint or tile to use???

hjames1623 All of these picture make me want to redesign my whole house! After I refinished my bathroom, metal finishing has sort of become a hobby of mine and I'm always looking for new ideas. I personally think mixing metals can look very good, if done right. Some metals don't go together well but I think the right design can make almost anything look good. Thanks for sharing! http://www.vaughanmetal.com/

Ellen Horn I think oiled bronze will go the way of brass in a few years. I faced the same problem with my redo, and decided on polished chrome because I like the sparkle. I used rubbed bronze for the vanity hardware, because it looked better with the finish. The shower fixtures are chrome as well. Everything looks wonderful together. I would purchase new chrome instead of replating existing. Chrome is not expensive.

debraco where can you find a grey painted vanity? i like the shaker style. you see is photos but try and find one!

jessgreg We are doing a complete gut job/remodel in our basement bathroom and so far the only thing I have is this clawfoot tub with oil-rubbed bronze legs. So should I do all oil-rubbed bronze faucets? This wasn't my first choice of a tub but we got a super good deal on it because it was a showroom floor model. I really want to do a "rustic modern industrial" bathroom if that's even possible to do with this tub. And I need ideas for a sink or vanity. We only have about 24" wide for one.