5 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Bathroom Hardware for Your Lancaster Remodel

When you’re remodeling your bathroom, you’re faced with a lot of big decisions: What type of flooring do I want? Do I tile the shower? What size and style of vanity fits my space best? One decision that may seem small but will actually make a big impact on your space is what you choose for your bathroom hardware. Design is in the details after all, and the selections you make here are important to the overall feel of your bathroom.

Bathroom hardware refers to the metal pieces in your bathroom, including shower heads, sink faucets, towel bars, drawer pulls, hooks, mirrors, and more. These items are both functional and can add style, providing the finishing touch to your space. But a quick look through your options may leave you feeling overwhelmed. We’re here to help. Keep reading for 5 tips to help you select the perfect hardware for your bathroom renovation.

#1. Decide on Your Material

Bathroom hardware needs to be durable. The bathroom is one of the house's most-used rooms and is regularly exposed to moisture and humidity. The hardware you choose should be able to withstand both frequent use and contact with water.

Generally, the most durable materials are brass, nickel, bronze, and chrome. Remember that bathroom hardware can be painted or plated with another material for the finish, but what’s under that layer matters.

For faucets and shower heads, consider choosing pieces with metal or ceramic parts inside instead of plastic, so they last longer. You can often tell the quality of a fixture by lifting it–the heavier ones are usually more durable and better made. 

#2. Choose Your Finish(es)

Your choice of bathroom hardware can elevate your room. It can bring a sense of style, timelessness, and luxury to your bathroom, and the finishes you choose have a lot to do with that. Some great options include

• brass
• satin nickel
• chrome
• antique brass
• black
• copper
• colorful
• industrial gray
• oil rubbed bronze
• brushed bronze
• polished
• satin
• antiqued

It’s also worth considering whether you want traditional, timeless finishes that will never go out of style, or would rather choose trendy, stylish options. If you want a finish that will stand the test of time, consider using antiqued brass or polished nickel. Try matte black, brushed bronze, or gold for finishes that are popular today. You can also mix your metals–more on that below.

#3. Consider Design Trends

While it’s not always the best decision to completely follow every trend in bathroom design, it’s worth considering whether the current trends will fit into and enhance your style. Today’s bathrooms focus on bringing a sense of wellness and relaxation to your home, with streamlined, clutter-free designs and warm color palettes. Your bathroom hardware can support these designs.

Mixed metals in the bathroom (and the kitchen, for that matter!) are a popular and on-trend choice. Choose two or possibly three metals–more and you’ll have a cluttered look rather than a curated one. Try keeping water-related fixtures the same finish (faucets, drains, showerheads, etc), and making other hardware (toilet paper holders, towel bars, hooks, mirrors, drawer pulls, etc) a different finish. It’s best to go with metals that look very different from each other, so your choices look intentional . For example, use matte black and gold, but not polished nickel and polished chrome, which are too similar to look good together.

Another great trend to try is using hardware that contrasts with your vanity. If your vanity is white or a light color, use dark hinges, handles, and pulls. For deep blue, dark gray, or other dark vanity colors, try a shiny or light finish for the hardware. This allows the metal to stand out and highlights its style and shape.

#4. Think About Your Style and Budget

The hardware you choose for your bathroom should relate to the style you have in the rest of your house. It’s not necessary that it matches–you don’t need to choose the same hardware for every bathroom or make sure it’s exactly what you have in your kitchen. But if the rest of your home is modern or minimal and you choose ornate bathroom hardware, the effect may be jarring. Consider what colors and designs you’re drawn to in the rest of your home. Think about your home’s general style, and choose hardware that fits in with what you already love.

Another consideration is your budget. It’s good to think about where you should save and where you should splurge on your remodel. Bathroom hardware can run from fairly inexpensive to very high-end, and everything in between. While buying quality items is important, how much more you want to spend to get the luxury hardware is really up to you. Maybe you want the top-of-the-line shower head and you’re willing to go for less expensive hardware on the vanity. Think through your needs and wants and decide how to spend your hardware budget accordingly.

#5. Talk to the Experts

A lot of considerations go into choosing the right hardware for your bathroom. What brands can you trust? What finishes will look great for years to come? What trends should you follow and which ones will you get tired of in a few years? Where should you spend money and where is it worthwhile to save? And what will look the best in this room that you’re putting so much effort into, that you want to love and enjoy?

It helps to have expert advice for your specific home, needs, wants, and budget. Professional designers will be able to help you make decisions you’ll be happy with. Check out our bathroom project gallery for some examples of bathrooms our team at McLennan Contracting has done. 

The best remodels focus on the details, and the bathroom hardware you choose–from smaller pieces like towel bars and robe hooks to larger focal points like your faucet and shower head–really can make a difference in the feel and functionality of your space. Our designers would be happy to help you select the perfect bathroom hardware for your bathroom remodel. Schedule a consultation with us today to get started.