The time has come for you to remodel your bathroom. You have selected the majority of materials, the bathtub, sinks, toilet, vanity, tile and more. All you have left is the faucets. You have started shopping, and boy, are you surprised. The number of finishes available is unbelievable. You have a hard decision ahead of you.

Faucets today come in all kinds of finishes. Common ones include brass, bronze, chrome, colored epoxy, gold, nickel, platinum, porcelain, silver and stainless steel. Finishes may also come in various sheens, like matte, polished and satin. Chrome is typically the most durable and the most affordable. However, that doesn’t mean you have to choose it.

In order to select the right faucet finish, you need to think about your own personal preferences. In general, are you drawn more to silver or gold tones? Shiny or matte finishes? Or, none of the above? The answers to these questions will help you decide what type of finishes to concentrate on.

The overall design of the room will also factor in your decision. What kind of style are you are going for in your bathroom? Contemporary? Mediterranean? Rustic? Some finishes are more suitable for design styles than others. Chrome, for example, may work well for a contemporary bathroom but not for a Mediterranean bathroom. For that, bronze might be the way to go.

Look at all of the materials you have selected for your bathroom. Study the shape, texture and color of everything from the paint colors to the fixtures to the tile. Pay special attention to any finishes already in the room in lighting, towel bars, hardware and such. You want all of the finishes in your bathroom to complement each other, if not match, and suit the materials in the room.

Selecting the right faucet finish will take some time and effort. Whatever you decide, make sure the finish has undergone the physical vapor deposition (PVD) bonding process. This will ensure it will resist abrasion and corrosion.