Bathroom upgrade ...gold or chrome

[Tinytimmy123]

I am planning a bathroom upgrade and aiming for a simple aesthetic overall. Shower room no bath. I am trying to decide if going for gold/brass fixtures and fittings is a good idea or not. Do they tarnish easily ? Are they a nightmare to keep clean? Or should I stick with chrome ? So taps shower head, shower trim. The bathroom company obviously say they are much better now than in years gone by but would appreciate real life feedback.

For context I am teetering on retirement so this will probably be my last stab at this, as I am not intending to move again but obviously don't want to spend extra on something that will look terrible in a just few years.

Modern brass is not durable and does discolour over time

Last time 'brass' was in fashion many people regretted buying because taps tarnished.

Best advice I got was give was to buy the best quality chrome you can afford e.g. put your money into them not fancy basins. Ceramic basins, baths etc wear well, plastic type do not.

Thanks for the advice. I was hoping that modern finishes would be more reliable but it seems not.

Also just spoken to someone who has advised no tiles either, just get panelling. I am not a big fan of tiles(grouting) anyway so it was just going to be minimal amount of tiles for the shower area and maybe above the sink. Looks like I am back to square one with planning this bathroom.

Gold finish reminds me of 80’s bathrooms, when it was really fashionable, it’s just not serviceable. Chrome is classic.

My daughter has just had her bathroom done & used brushed brass. Did give her a few issues as there isn’t as much choice as chrome fittings. And if you get stuff from different suppliers the colour is slightly different.

The bathroom looks good but I feel chrome would have been easier. And maybe brass will go out of fashion whereas chrome is timeless.

Chrome for sure. Brass is like the fashion for dark grey windows. Like gold taps and brown windows from the 80s.

I hate shower panelling, reminds me of a care home or camping shower.

Voice of dissent here - I feel chrome looks cheap and nasty (sorry!). Brushed brass is timeless and doesn’t tarnish if you look after it.

Hard disagree, we’re in a 1989 house that was a luxury home build so everything was very good quality at the time. All the brushed brass looks VERY dated. It’s the tiny details of style that date, not the fabric as such.

I installed a cloakroom last year and chose brushed brass - I live in a hard water area and I've had no problems with cleaning the brass, it has not tarnished. I live in an 1850s terrace so chrome is a bit out of place. Brass adds warmth and character.
There are ways to add warmth and interest to chrome, plants, wood, art, textiles, textured pottery etc - and then again some people prefer their bathrooms to look clinical.

1980s were very blingy - tarnished brass can look very beautiful but the setting and the styling are everything.

Chrome. And buy branded, quality ones, not cheap Chinese tat.

We used brushed gold in one of the bathrooms and it looks so much prettier than the plain boring chrome in others. No issues with cleaning, and we have very hard water.

The branded ones are often made in China too. I bought branded everything and I was very disappointed - Jones and Laufen both loos had inferior quality loo seats and the chrome pitted despite only using wipes to clean them. Not sure which brand to recommend - even the shower Hansgrohe was problematic - probably hard water didn't help. One tap has completely seized.

I think it depends on the look you're going for.

If you live in a period property and decorate it sympathetically to the age, then brass is likely to work well. Also, if you have a warm colour palette brass will look good.

If you have a modern house or decorative style, or if your pallette is cool, then the silver colour of chrome will fit well.

For brass, you can buy second hand so you know what the patina will be from the start (albeit you can always polish brass). If it was me, I would buy brass but not a type that was coated or brushed as I think that looks cheap.

I had brass taps last time, circa 98 and it did tarnish, chrome is much better

These are examples of unlacquered brass. Both can be polished to make/ keep them shiny or left to develop the natural dull patina.
If you buy brushed brass, or brass that has been lacquered to keep it shiny, these can look tarnished over time.

@Porridgeislife 1989 makes the fittings 35 years old! The fact they still work is testimony to the quality! We went with black in our ensuite with the idea that if we are still in this house (serial movers) when it dates it's easy to change taps, show door etc. Went with a white marble tile and a white vanity (black handles) as it's more timeless.

Definitely chrome. Brass/gold is just a trend that will date quickly, definitely before you'll be looking to upgrade the bathroom again.

I'd keep it classic, neutral, chrome with attention to the finish. Then add your style via towels, accessories, art, plants.

We have brass in one of our bathrooms and it looks so lovely with the colour scheme, really warm and classic, I think - I would post a photo but it would be outing. Another bathroom has chrome and I would like to switch to brass.

Here are a couple of bathrooms with similar colour palettes to the one we used brass taps etc

So here is the (pinterest) general vibe I was aiming for. (Just a white sink though)The small samples beside the greenish tile are for the taps, radiator and shower trim. They are not all identical brass hues as they are not from the same company, so im not sure it will gel well as they're not identical.( Ignore the dish above in the picture of the samples it is show room decor. )

I'm not keen on black fittings as I think they show up dust very easily (radiator) and will tarnish in their own way and maybe date quickly.

The house is a chalet bungalow circa 1980s build and this bathroom is the main bathroom of the house and on the ground floor. It currently has a bath and shower in it but I am getting rid of the bath and just opting for an electric shower. There is an electric shower there but it will be repositioned. I want to have a bigger shower as I think this will be of more use to me in my older years than trying to negotiate getting in /out of a bath. I have 2 small shower ensuites upstairs that feed off a pressurised system so think an electric shower option will be a useful alternative.

Overall I like the warmth of gold/brass tones as chrome seems colder and although I don't have gold everywhere in my house (eg kitchen) there are spots of it dotted around the house eg door handles and some cupboard handles. I'm not a slave to fashion either so not everything has to match but my overall vibe is simple without alot of pattern.

For context my current bathroom is chrome fittings with beige tiles in the shower and then half way up the walls through the rest of the bathroom and above the bath. On top of the tiles there is a trim tile of complementary colours of beige browny hues. Last and stylishly least there is the chocolate brown floor tiles!! I inherited this beautiful combo from the previous owner so I can't lay claim to it. 🤪 So I'm a bit desperate for simple and bright. The room isn't dark- dark despite the chocolate brown floor and beige walls, but it doesn't get direct sunlight as it is at the side of the house which is another reason why I don't want dark colours.

Ps thanks for the feedback everyone.

Sorry my pictures didn't transfer.

The gold and black fittings look really good at the moment but I don't think they'll stand the test of time and will look dated in a few years or discolour.

Dark brown and brass is a lovely combination - I put in my cloakroom. You can play it safe and go for chrome or get what makes your heart sing and go for what you want. Fashions come and go - our previous owners put sage green tiles on the bathroom wall - a classic according to many but I find them so dull and safe, I'm really struggling to give my bathroom some character.
I also strongly dislike the beige tiles and chrome, also very safe and classic but it is really dull and cold - which people might be what a lot of people want - but you should choose something you want and love it.