Gold hardware/light fixtures, etc. How "trendy" do you think this will be?

[Anonymous]

We'll be replacing a lot of fixtures soon and I see gold/antique brass is really popular right now. Do you think this will be a short lived trend? FWIW, we will likely be renting the house out within about 3-4 years.

[Anonymous]

Gold fixtures are one of the first things that go when we buy a new house. I think they're super ugly and the yellow tone is harder to decorate around than silver-toned or even black. They remind me of a new money relative who thinks that anything gold is classy and rich-looking. I particularly hate gold fixtures in bathrooms. People may care less about this in a rental, but it'd be a turnoff for me in a home purchase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gold fixtures are one of the first things that go when we buy a new house. I think they're super ugly and the yellow tone is harder to decorate around than silver-toned or even black. They remind me of a new money relative who thinks that anything gold is classy and rich-looking. I particularly hate gold fixtures in bathrooms. People may care less about this in a rental, but it'd be a turnoff for me in a home purchase.

There is a difference between the builder-grade gold/brass fixtures that are standard in suburban homes and the type of fixtures that I think OP is asking about? High quality, unlacquered brass fixtures that develop a patina over time are classic. For example, a brass doorknob with an elongated backplate that fits the style of the home is probably not going to look dated. A gold-toned sputnik chandelier eventually will (but you see them everywhere right now and they can look great!). If you want to play it safe, you could stick to polished nickel or chrome for waterworks and more expensive fixtures, and then mix in gold tones for cabinet hardware and lighting so it's easier to change out in a few years. I prefer not to have the same metal everywhere anyway. Right now we have matte black doorknobs and hinges but a mix of polished nickel, antique brass, etc. for lighting and hardware everywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Very trendy, and will be hated as much as vessel sinks.

[Anonymous]

I like antique brass and always have. I think it will age better than gold. But gold always goes in and out of style as well. Just choose which finish you like and it’ll eventually be popular at some point!

[Anonymous]

They started popping up about 7-8 years ago in greater number and I'd say they we are probably in the peak "trendy" years right now. Popularity will retreat a little in a few years.

That being said, use what you love. I don't think anyone is going to walk away from a rental because of brass fixtures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They started popping up about 7-8 years ago in greater number and I'd say they we are probably in the peak "trendy" years right now. Popularity will retreat a little in a few years.

That being said, use what you love. I don't think anyone is going to walk away from a rental because of brass fixtures.

NP. I don’t think anyone would walk away from even a house due to fixtures unless they were something crazy. Gold, brass, chrome, etc. All the same, as long as you like it and it’s somewhat consistent (chrome faucet/stainless steel appliances, brass fixtures in kitchen for example), you really can’t go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Definitely trendy and will be dated but do what you like. I personally don’t like mixing metals in one room but I did a powder room in gold.

[Anonymous]

I don't mind quality brass light fixtures or maybe brass cabinet knobs. But like jewelry, a little goes a long way. I don't like brass faucets or an entire kitchen where all metal finishes are brass. I much prefer chrome in kitchens and baths, and I'm getting ahead of the curve for when chrome comes back in style. Most things will go in and out of style eventually, so get something because you love it.

[Anonymous]

It definitely depends on the fixture itself and how timeless it is.

[Anonymous]

Don't worry about it unless you're throwing away something old and cool. Fixtures and hardware are easy to change out.

[Anonymous]

I don't consider trends, but just what I like and how it marries into the overall decor. So for example, warm tones go together. We have blush walls and a country kitchen with a lot of wood, a copper farmhouse sink and antique-golden fixtures. It works together. I would place silver fixtures in a house with a cold color pattern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gold fixtures are one of the first things that go when we buy a new house. I think they're super ugly and the yellow tone is harder to decorate around than silver-toned or even black. They remind me of a new money relative who thinks that anything gold is classy and rich-looking. I particularly hate gold fixtures in bathrooms. People may care less about this in a rental, but it'd be a turnoff for me in a home purchase.

There is a difference between the builder-grade gold/brass fixtures that are standard in suburban homes and the type of fixtures that I think OP is asking about? High quality, unlacquered brass fixtures that develop a patina over time are classic. For example, a brass doorknob with an elongated backplate that fits the style of the home is probably not going to look dated. A gold-toned sputnik chandelier eventually will (but you see them everywhere right now and they can look great!). If you want to play it safe, you could stick to polished nickel or chrome for waterworks and more expensive fixtures, and then mix in gold tones for cabinet hardware and lighting so it's easier to change out in a few years. I prefer not to have the same metal everywhere anyway. Right now we have matte black doorknobs and hinges but a mix of polished nickel, antique brass, etc. for lighting and hardware everywhere else.

This is key. I hate “antiqued” brass, but I really like unvarnished brass.

[Anonymous]

I try to stay away from home decor trends but I’ve adopted the brushed gold hardware trend because every knob, handle, towel bar, etc. in my house was brushed nickel and I got really sick of it. So it’s all about the alternative. I’ve also started replacing the brushed nickel “boob” ceiling lights with black metal (brass?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gold fixtures are one of the first things that go when we buy a new house. I think they're super ugly and the yellow tone is harder to decorate around than silver-toned or even black. They remind me of a new money relative who thinks that anything gold is classy and rich-looking. I particularly hate gold fixtures in bathrooms. People may care less about this in a rental, but it'd be a turnoff for me in a home purchase.

There is a difference between the builder-grade gold/brass fixtures that are standard in suburban homes and the type of fixtures that I think OP is asking about? High quality, unlacquered brass fixtures that develop a patina over time are classic. For example, a brass doorknob with an elongated backplate that fits the style of the home is probably not going to look dated. A gold-toned sputnik chandelier eventually will (but you see them everywhere right now and they can look great!). If you want to play it safe, you could stick to polished nickel or chrome for waterworks and more expensive fixtures, and then mix in gold tones for cabinet hardware and lighting so it's easier to change out in a few years. I prefer not to have the same metal everywhere anyway. Right now we have matte black doorknobs and hinges but a mix of polished nickel, antique brass, etc. for lighting and hardware everywhere else.

This is key. I hate “antiqued” brass, but I really like unvarnished brass.

I have unlacquered brass door hardware (I accelerated the patina by exposing to ammonia fumes) and an “antique” brass light fixture from visual comfort, and they both look good. The visual comfort finish is really good and looking up at the light, I definitely can’t tell the difference. But I really like having the unlacquered brass for the knobs because they’re closer to you and you get lovely brighter spots from everyone’s hands.