Had a similar experience with those matte black fixtures—looked awesome at first, but man, keeping them clean was a nightmare. Switched to brushed nickel too, and honestly, life's easier now. Sometimes practical beats trendy...though I still miss that sleek look occasionally.
Interesting you mention brushed nickel—definitely easier upkeep, but have you noticed any issues with water spots or fingerprints? I've found that even brushed finishes can vary quite a bit depending on the brand and quality. Curious if you've tried stainless steel fixtures as well? They're pretty similar visually, but I've heard mixed things about durability and ease of cleaning compared to brushed nickel.
Also, for anyone still tempted by matte black (because let's face it, they do look great), has anyone experimented with protective coatings or sealants to make maintenance easier? Wondering if there's a practical workaround to keep that sleek look without the constant headache...
"Curious if you've tried stainless steel fixtures as well? They're pretty similar visually, but I've heard mixed things about durability and ease of cleaning compared to brushed nickel."
I've worked with both brushed nickel and stainless steel fixtures quite a bit, and honestly, stainless steel can be hit or miss. Good-quality stainless holds up nicely, but cheaper ones seem to scratch easily and show water spots more noticeably. Also, about matte black—I've seen some clients use car wax (yep, the automotive kind!) as a protective coating. Sounds odd, but it actually helps reduce fingerprints and water marks...might be worth a shot.
"Good-quality stainless holds up nicely, but cheaper ones seem to scratch easily and show water spots more noticeably."
Totally agree with this. I've noticed the same thing—cheap stainless steel fixtures can be a nightmare to keep clean, especially if you've got hard water. Brushed nickel seems more forgiving overall. Interesting tip about the car wax on matte black though...never heard of that before. Wonder if anyone's tried something similar on brushed nickel to help with fingerprints and spotting?
Actually, I've found brushed nickel isn't always as forgiving as people think. It can look great initially, but over time I've seen it show water spots pretty noticeably, especially in areas with really hard water. I haven't tried car wax on it (intriguing idea though...), but personally, regular wiping down with a microfiber cloth after use seems simpler and does the trick. Stainless might scratch easier, but at least it's straightforward maintenance-wise.
