With a wealth of finishes available, choosing the right tone for your home’s tapware, brassware and hardware can be a difficult design task. In this guide we offer expert advice to help you make the right decision.

Colour Inspiration

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 - harmonise beautifully with rich, earthy hues like terracotta, mustard yellow, and deep olive green. These finishes also enhance spaces featuring warm whites, caramel-toned woods, and textured fabrics in burnt orange or chocolate brown, creating a welcoming feel. Rose gold, with its soft pink undertones, adds a touch of understated luxury and pairs effortlessly with pastel shades such as blush pink, sage green, and creamy neutrals.

Conversely, cool-toned finishes - which can include chrome and brushed stainless - complement crisp, fresh colour schemes. Think cool whites, slate greys, and airy blues, which work particularly well in modern, minimalist, or coastal-inspired interiors. Matte black and matte white finishes offer bold contrast, making them ideal for monochromatic or high-contrast designs. When in doubt, consider the mood you want to evoke - warm metals bring depth and richness, while cool metals lend a clean, contemporary edge.

Interior Theme

The overarching design theme of an interior space should also guide your choice of finishes, as each style carries distinct aesthetic principles. For Scandinavian or Japandi interiors, which emphasise simplicity and natural elements, brushed nickel, matte black, or matte white finishes enhance the airy, uncluttered vibe. These understated choices align with light woods, neutral tones, and organic textures.

Mid-Century Modern spaces, known for their retro charm, often feature warm metals such as brass or aged bronze, which complement rich teak wood, bold geometric patterns, and vibrant accent colours. Similarly, Industrial-themed interiors benefit from raw, utilitarian finishes such as brushed stainless or gunmetal black, reinforcing the urban, warehouse-inspired aesthetic.

For traditional or classic interiors, ornate details and timeless elegance call for polished nickel, brushed gold, or rose gold. These finishes harmonise with intricate millwork, luxurious fabrics, and deep, heritage-inspired hues.

Personal Style

While design guidelines are helpful, your personal taste should always take precedence. If you favour the warmth of brass but your home leans modern, don’t shy away - thoughtfully incorporated, mixed metals can add depth and character. Before committing, experiment with samples and mood boards. Gather paint swatches, fabric swatches, and material samples to see how finishes interact with your existing décor in different lighting.

Above all, choose finishes that resonate with you - whether that means bold, statement-making hardware or subtle, cohesive accents. The smallest details, from cabinet handles to shower fixtures, contribute to your interior’s overall aesthetic, so select finishes that reflect your style to create a space that feels uniquely yours.

Mixing Metals

The interior trend of matching every finish in a space was once a design essential. Today, mixing brassware is a sophisticated way to create visual interest and balance. Pair no more than two or three complementary finishes and distribute them evenly throughout the room to achieve harmony.

Matte black cabinet handles can sit beautifully alongside brushed gold taps, especially when grounded by black-framed mirrors or gold-tone lighting. Chrome or stainless finishes can also act as a neutral base when paired with a warmer accent like aged bronze or rose gold. Similar to layering textures and colours, mixing brassware adds depth and dimension to a space. Combining metallic accents heavily focuses on breaking the rules of seamlessly matching your home.

Maintenance

Beyond aesthetic purposes, it’s important to consider the durability and upkeep of your chosen finish. High-traffic areas, such as kitchens and family bathrooms, benefit from hardwearing finishes that resist fingerprints and daily wear. Brushed and matte finishes usually require less cleaning and are less prone to showing smudges.

Always check the manufacturer's care recommendations and measure practicality alongside aesthetics, especially if you're furnishing a busy family home or a rental property.

Find the ideal finish for your home at Lusso - explore our beautifully designed collections of taps, showers, switches, and hardware.