Matte, Reflective, Brushed or Antique? How to Choose a Faucet Finish

Matte Finishes

Matte finishes have soft, non-reflective surfaces. The most common matte finish on a faucet is matte black. Finishes like the matte black finish offered by the Pioneer Mod Single-Handle Bathroom Faucet 3MO173-MB come with the benefit of hiding fingerprints, water spots, and minor scratches far better than shiny finishes. They also tend to require less frequent cleaning to maintain their appearance. Matte black is most often found in contemporary, modern or ultra-modern designs and provides a beautiful dramatic contrast against marble countertops and light paint, making a faucet an eye-catching centerpiece. The non-reflective finish also helps reduce harsh lighting in a very bright room. Matte finishes are made through physical vapor deposition (PVD), a process that makes them more durable than other finishes.

Reflective Finishes: Chrome and Polished Nickel

Shiny or reflective finishes include options such as chrome and polished nickel. A chrome or polished nickel surface acts as a mirror, reflecting everything around it. These finishes undergo extensive buffing and polishing that create their still water-like surfaces. In bathrooms and kitchens with limited natural light, shiny finishes help maximize brightness and create a more open feeling. Shiny finishes tend to be the solid choice for bathrooms and kitchens in multifamily housing and they are the industry standard across residential rental homes. This is due to the universal appeal that chrome has had for quite some time. The chrome and brushed gold offered by the Olympia Elite Single-Handle Lavatory Faucet L-6160 bring a luxurious look to any bathroom. Beyond aesthetics, polished chrome finishes that are properly coated are highly durable, resist corrosion, and maintain their appearance well when properly cared for, making them smart long-term investments. It’s important to keep in mind that shiny surfaces require extra and careful cleaning, as they show fingerprints and grime more easily than other options, and can scratch if cleaned incorrectly.

Brushed Finishes: Versatile Balance

Brushed finishes strike a balance between matte and shiny options, offering subtle sheen with excellent water spot resistance that suits multiple styles, from traditional to contemporary. Finishes like brushed nickel and brushed gold are manufactured to scatter light subtly rather than just reflecting it, creating a soft finish that changes color slightly based on viewing angle and light direction. This balance between the classic appeal of shiny finishes and the stain resistance of matte black makes brushed one of the most versatile finish options available. The brushed nickel finish offered by faucets like the Olympia Accent Single-Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet K-5040-BN hides water deposits and scratches far better than shiny finishes, making it a low-maintenance option ideal for high-traffic faucets.

Antique Finishes: Moroccan and Oil-Rubbed Bronze

Antique finishes embrace history and character through intentional darkening and varied patina to give the look of age. Antique finishes feature intentional darkening, patina effects, and other aged looks that bring depth and character to match the style of both traditional and transitional rooms. These finishes have lately had a resurgence in popularity, especially for homes in cottage core, Bohemian luxe, and similar styles. The Pioneer Americana Two-Handle Kitchen Bridge Faucet 2AM501-ORB oil-rubbed bronze finish has a depth and character that reflects old-world charm and traditional elegance. These finishes offer the same protection from visual waterstains as brushed and matte finishes with PVD coating.

Making the Right Choice for the Space

All of these finishes have their own specific appeal, making selecting the right option a decision that considers design goals, maintenance tolerance, and existing design elements. When selecting finishes for homes with young children or pets, prioritize options that hide wear and fingerprints, such as matte or brushed finishes, over polished options. When adding faucets to existing spaces it’s best to match the finishes of cabinet pulls, appliances, and other fixtures to create a cohesive look throughout the room. For rooms being designed from the ground-up, it is important to consider the style, mood, and architecture that best fits the building. Historic homes benefit from antique or traditional finishes that respect the building’s character. Matte black finishes pair well with contemporary, industrial, and farmhouse aesthetics, while shiny chrome fits traditional, transitional, and crisp modern styles. Brushed finishes pair well with traditional and transitional spaces. After considering all practical factors, the best finish choice ultimately reflects personal preference and creates spaces that feel right to the people who will be living with them daily.

Wrapping it All Up

Choosing between matte, reflective, brushed, and antique faucet finishes requires balancing aesthetic vision with practical realities like maintenance demands and design longevity. Pioneer, Olympia, and Central Brass bring more than a century of combined experience to the faucet industry, offering fixtures in diverse finishes from contemporary matte black to traditional oil-rubbed bronze, all backed by best-in-class warranties.

There are many ways to the same destination. This saying applies to multifamily housing builds just as much as to anything else in life. The ultimate goal is save as much money as possible while delivering a great finished project – that’s simply showing smart business sense. But, finding a one-off deal or sacrificing quality isn’t the only way to get a healthy ROI. We have a better way.

Pioneer works with professionals every day to develop specification packages and plans that save our valued partners both time and money, sometimes in surprising ways. It’s our goal to ensure your project meets or exceeds its expected outcome. We want to get to know you and your company and show you how we can save you money.  Please reach out via our website form or call us at (800) 338-9468.