Some of the spaces that get the most wear and tear in a busy family home are the bathrooms and the kitchen. After all, this is where all the action happens. Meals are being prepped, homework is being done at the kitchen island, teeth are getting brushed, faces are being washed, and on and on the list of daily activities that take place her continues. When desiging for a busy family, I like to educate my clients about the importance of the smallest details. One of the details that we are going to focus on today is the hard finishes in kitchen and bathroom spaces. I am going to highlitgh the top finishes to consider, the pros and cons of each, and which ones are truly made for busy family homes.
Kitchen and Bathroom Hard Finishes: MATTE BLACK
It's no mistaking that matte black has become one of the more popular finishes in the home building industry. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
PROS: It's a very simple finish that can be coordinated with pretty much any design style though you mostly see it in modern or contemporary designs. Some say " every room needs a touch of black," which is often the driving philosophy behind why matte black is a popular finish choice. This hard finish is also easy to clean and does not show fingerprints or water spots easily.
CONS: This hard finish tends to be easy to scratch and get damaged from regular wear and tear. The initial look is great but it tends to not age well.
FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN OPTION? I would not recommend this option for busy families who want a low maintenance hard finish.
Kitchen and Bathroom Hard Finishes: OIL RUBBED BRONZE
For homes that are looking for a dark finish and traditional feel, oil rubbed bronze meets both of those needs. Depending on the application and source, the colors for oil rubbed bronze can vary from choclate brown to darker gray.
PROS: This finish is widely available which makes its the best option to find in a time crunch. This is another easy to clean option that will not show finger prints or water spots from daily use.
CONS: Going with a lower quality source and application makes the overall look vary under different lights. You are going to want to invest more into this one if this is your choice.
FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN OPTION? I would recommend this for busy families who want an easy to clean darker finish.
Kitchen and bathroom Hard Finishes: UNLAQUERED BRASS
This hard finish has made a comeback in the design industry for various reason. It gives any space a hint of vintage and patina without looking outdated.
PROS: This hard finish is often chosen for its ability to bring warmth to any space making it the number one choice for archtectural elements. This finish is highly durable when unlaquered making it less susceptible to scratches.
CONS: Because this finish was designed to age well, it will show some wear and tear that will look more lived in and not picture perfect. If you want it to look perfect at all times then this is not the finish for you. This finish also tends to be more expensive in its unlaquered form.
FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN OPTION? I would highly recommend this finish in its unlaquered form for busy family homes that want a lived in, vintage aspect. For those looking for a more "perfect looking" looking home, I would recommend a polished brass option.
Kitchen and Bathroom Hard Finishes: GOLD
This is a great finish option for a vintage inspired or coastal styled home design. Depending on the aesthetic, it can be matte or highly polished adding elegance to any space.
PROS: In daily use, it is easy to maintain as all that is needed is a simple wipe down with occassional water and soap cleans. Because the look can vary from matte to polished, it is a very versatile finish that goes with a varitety of design styles.
CONS: This is not the best option to choose if wanting to mix with other metals. Gold tones do not mix well with other hard finishes.
FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN OPTION? I would not recommend this for busy family homes that are wanting a more modern, up to date look.
Kitchen and Bathroom Hard Finishes: COPPER
This is such a fun hard finish to select for interior design clients. Copper adds a hint of vintage while giving an expensive, elevated look to either your bathroom or kitchen. I choose this finish for clients who do not want to go as dark as black or bronze but not as light as brass or nickel.
PROS: If someone was looking for the easiest to clean finish, this would be it. Just some soap and water makes the copper easy to maintain without the use of harmful chemicals. One of the most striking features of copper is that it also has antibacterial properties which means any bacteria on it will die within hours. Another great feature is that it truly does have a high level of durability. It forms an acidic layer to protect itself so when a scratch does come along, it will eventually "heal" itself to new.
CONS: It's almost perfect meaning it is also a higher price tag making it the most expensive finish to get. Although it is easy to clean and maintain, copper tends to be sensitive to any harsh chemicals which means extra care must be taken when choosing this finish.
FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN OPTION? I would recommend investing in this finish for families who care about eco friendly and non toxic finishes in their homes.
After walking through the pros and cons of these popular finishes, I hope you feel a bit more confident about selecting the right options for your kitchen and bathroom. For a busy family, practicality and durability are just as important as style. Whether you love the perfectly imperfect patina of unlacquered brass, the rich warmth of oil-rubbed bronze, or even the eco-friendly charm of copper, there’s a finish out there that can meet both your design dreams and your daily demands. At the end of the day, it’s about creating a home that looks great while embracing the chaos of family life.
Comments