The Pros And Cons Of Installing Gold Faucets In Your Kitchen Or Bathroom

Gold faucets have been having a major moment in recent years. They're an alternative to the tried-and-true chrome look, the standard go-to for kitchen and bathroom faucets for decades. But if you want your fixture to stand out, choosing one in gold could be the way to go. However, now that the trend has been around for a few years, it's easier to see if the alternative color choice is worth the investment.

Like most fixtures, gold faucets have their advantages and disadvantages, and it's up to the individual to decide which benefits are the most important to them and which downsides are potential deal breakers. When it comes to benefits, gold faucets can make a tired bathroom look more luxe, and a builder-grade kitchen seem unique. But since it has become so novel, there are also drawbacks, including the increased cost. When deciding whether upgrading to a gold faucet is for you, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider.

One of the main benefits of gold faucets is that they feel contemporary. Since the norm is to have chrome or nickel fixtures, going in the polar opposite direction and using gold finish in your home feels fresh and new. It's a little different from the brass faucets of the '80s in that gold is more muted in color and has the option to have a matte texture, giving it a decidedly more modern feel. Adding this to a kitchen or bathroom makes it instantly look new, which has the potential to ultimately raise your property's value.

The color can also make an interesting faucet or shower head stand out. Since it isn't the expected silver color, it tends to catch the eye. Because of this, you will be more likely to notice the fixture. This would be an added benefit if you chose one with an unusual shape that cost you more money. If you want your faucet to be the star of the room, getting it in a gold finish will help it stand out like a centerpiece. It has also been proven that gold has antibacterial properties, which can help prevent bacteria build-up.

While gold faucets have many benefits, they also have a few drawbacks. First, they're not as versatile as chrome fixtures. Since they come in a modern color, they can look out of place in a more traditional or vintage-inspired space. For instance, a historic, Victorian-style bathroom could look odd with a modern, brushed gold faucet, almost like two tail-ends of a century clashing together.

Secondly, since it's trendy to use gold instead of chrome, gold fixtures usually cost more. If you were to decide to install a gold faucet, it can cost up to 40% more than a chrome version. This, of course, depends on brand and faucet type, but expect to see consistently elevated prices.

Lastly, it can be quite difficult to match your golden fixture with other gold accents in the room. For example, if you picked a gold faucet for your kitchen, you would probably like to match it with gold light fixtures or gold cabinet hardware to not mix metals. If that's what you would prefer to do, you might find it challenging to get an exact color match, especially if you can't find items from the same brand. This can give you varying shades of gold in the room, which might not be what you imagined and not aesthetically pleasing.