It depends on what look you are going for.

I am using oil rubbed bronze fixtures in my master and guest bath remodels. It seems to go well with everything else I am using as I have a lot of copper elements in the kitchen as well as antique copper hardware. Silver toned hardware wouldn't have worked with the rest of what I am doing.

As for trendiness - I have no idea as my bathroom and kitchen are pretty much completely off trend :-) and I looked at period rooms - Prairie, Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts for inspiration more than current gray, white beige rooms that are ubiquitous in all the design magazines I've looked at.

ORB works well for certain styles- traditional, tuscan, Mediterranean, farmhouse sometimes. It can be a little too dark and formal sometimes though. A brushed nickel is more of a neutral and will probably age better but it all depends on your other finishes.

Hard water? How much do you enjoy wiping off spots daily?

Brushed nickel will give you the best wear and tear + maintenance/cleaning.

chrome is timeless, too.

ORB is a dated finish IMO but brushed nickel or chrome are my favorites no matter what style the space is.

Yeah I wouldn't remodel my bathroom because of it but I feel ORB is dated.

I'm not a PRO but I find ORB looks rich, classic, and timeless. Over the past 10-20 years it became trendy as well--a very looong trend. Thank goodness the trend is over but the finish is still beautiful and IMO makes a house look more like an estate home because all the ordinary looking chrome and nickel reminds me of hospitals, schools, offices, rental houses, base housing, etc. The cheapest of cheap fixtures are chrome and I personally can't get past that. Yes, of course there are expensive versions that look and feel very nice, but for me, ORB is my preference despite the trend being so 'yesterday'. Of course, the design of your space may be better suited for one finish over another. Is it contemporary, modern, warm or cool color palette, hard or softened corners, crisp crown and/or trim lines or more mellow transitions? Think about your space or the atmosphere you are trying to create. Is it country, farm like, rustic, contemporary, city loft like, Victorian, Southwestern, coastal, colonial, etc.? Once you determine that, the choice of a finish may come easier to you. Most importantly, what finish delights your eye?

Live Oil Rubbed Bronze fixtures age over time, giving your space a unique and timeless design. While Brushed Nickel may be a bit more versatile, Venetian Bronze fixtures are generally more spot resistant and durable. Check out our latest blog

for more information about choosing and caring for bronze fixtures and hardware.