Selecting the right finish for your taps, brassware and hardware is one of the most influential styling decisions you’ll make within your home. With an extensive palette of tones available across our tap collections, shower fixtures and bathroom accessories, understanding how these finishes interact with your design scheme is key to achieving a cohesive interior. This expert guide will help you choose the flawless finish that elevates your space with intention and refinement.
Colour Inspiration: Understating Undertones
When selecting the ideal finish for everything from showers and switches to taps and handles, the two most important factors to consider are colour and theme. This means that the first step is understanding how colour undertones interact with your interior palette.
Warm toned finishes such as brushed gold, aged bronze and polished nickel introduce richness and depth. These tones pair beautifully with earthy palettes such as terracotta, mustard and deep olives, as well as warm neutrals.
Cool finishes like chrome and brushed stainless provide a bright, sleek aesthetic that harmonises beautifully with crisp whites and pale greys, airy blue colour palettes and modern minimalist interiors.
When selecting your finish, consider the atmosphere you wish to evoke within your space - warm finishes envelop a room in opulence, while cool metals create clarity.
Interior Theme
Your chosen interior style will naturally guide which finish is most appropriate, ensuring every design element feels intentional and cohesive.
Calming, nature-led aesthetics such as Scandinavian and Japandi inspired interiors favour simplicity and balance. Finishes such as polished nickel, matte black and matte white enhance light oaks and natural warm toned woods, neutral stone textures, and clean, minimal silhouettes.
The iconic style of Mid-Century Modern spaces celebrates warm metals and bold shapes. Brushed gold and aged bronze harmonise beautifully with retro accent colours, farmhouse inspired interiors and natural wood finishes. Try introducing these finishes through traditional style taps or feature hardware.
Urban, architectural spaces thrive on rugged finishes such as brushed stainless and gunmetal. These metals elevate exposed brick, concrete and minimal silhouettes, ideal for loft-inspired spaces or contemporary kitchens.
For timeless elegance, opt for polished nickel or brushed gold. These finishes beautifully complement decorative mouldings, luxe fabrics and heritage inspired palettes. Finish the space with traditional freestanding baths and classic vanity units.
Personal Style: Elevating Your Signature Look
Design guidelines provide structure, but your preferences should make the final decision. Whether you gravitate toward warm brassware or cool modern metals, your chosen finish should resonate with your personal aesthetic.
Creating moodboards including paint and fabric swatches, tile samples and finish samples of any brassware allows you to see how each element responds to each other, as well as natural and artificial lighting.
Mixing Metals: A Modern Approach To Luxury
While matching finishes once defined good design, contemporary interiors embrace the sophistication of mixed metals. When done thoughtfully, combining finishes creates visual depth and architectural interest.
General guidelines to follow for mixing metals include choosing two or three complimentary tones, but distributing each finish evenly to ensure balance. The most aesthetically pleasing of interiors use one finish as the dominant tone, and the others as accents.
Examples that pair beautifully together are matte black cabinet handles with brushed gold taps, chrome or stainless as a neutral base with aged bronze accents, or soft, blush rose gold accents layered subtly with soft polished nickel hardware.
Maintenance
Beyond aesthetics, durability and upkeep should influence your final decision - especially in busy homes or high-traffic spaces.
Brushed and matte finishes are ideal for concealing fingerprints and daily wear. Polished finishes offer brilliant shine, but may require more regular upkeep. We always recommend following the specific care guidance for each product, to ensure longevity.
Explore Your Ideal Finish At LUSSO
Discover the perfect finish for your home by exploring Lusso’s signature collections of taps, shower and hardware. Whether you’re curating a serene Scandinavian bathroom, a grand traditional suite, or a contemporary minimalist kitchen space, we offer timeless, beautifully crafted finishes that elevate every interior.
