Rediscover Polished Brass For Your Home Décor


51" Ultra Acrylic Slipper Clawfoot Tub with Imperial Feet, and Freestanding Telephone Tub Faucet in Polished Brass 51" Ultra Acrylic Slipper Clawfoot Tub with Imperial Feet, and Freestanding Telephone Tub Faucet in Polished Brass

Once a favored accent of the '80s and '90s, polished brass is making a comeback as designers and homeowners alike are rediscovering the benefits of this gilded finish.

How Polished Brass Can Enhance Your Room

Offering a warm yet brilliant sheen, polished brass can set the tone for an entire room—depending on how and where you use it.

Kitchens


For those dreaming of a timeless kitchen, queue polished brass. In your metallic fixtures, the right finish affects the overall feel of your space, and polished brass catches the light with an understated elegance that will never go out of style. Plus, it looks amazing against surrounding wood and marble surfaces.

Bellevue Bridge Polished Brass Kitchen Faucet

Bathrooms


As an inherently sterile space, it’s important to bring a sense of comfort into your bathroom. Since textiles aren’t exactly practical beyond bath rugs and towels, an excellent solution is using warm, inviting tones throughout the many metals used throughout this room.

Barbour Widespread Polished Brass Bathroom Faucet, Ceeley Polished Brass Towel Ring

Living Rooms & Bedrooms


Polished brass is a perfect choice for living rooms and bedrooms as well. To create the right mood in these comfort-first spaces, warmth plays an integral part of their designs. The delicate golden hue of polished brass brings along an inviting quality while adding eye-catching, luxurious dimension.

Bedroom with Andreo Single Light Wall Sconce in Aged Brass

Polished Brass Statement Pieces

Lexia Wall-Mount Polished Brass Bathroom Faucet

Faucets

Widely considered to be the heartbeat of kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond, the faucet is often what first draws our eyes when entering a room. Among their high spouts that stand out among the horizontal plane, a finish like polished brass fittingly emits a warm, inviting impression.

From a polished brass kitchen faucet or pot filler to a polished brass bathroom faucet or tub filler, this stunning finish truly highlights water sources of all types.

Alliston Exposed Pipe Shower in Polished Brass

Shower Systems

To steer clear of a cold, sterile feel in your bathroom, a clever solution is choosing warm tones for your main metallic fixtures, including your shower system. Choosing a finish like polished brass adds unmistakable warmth to your shower setup while ensuring eye-catching shine from across the room.

For a cohesive look throughout your metals, select a curated bathroom collection that features shower and tub components along with bath accessories like towel rings, toilet paper holders, and robe hooks.

Arles Knurled Polished Brass Cabinet Pull and Knob

Cabinet Hardware

From cabinetry to vanities to dressers, swapping out hardware is one the simplest DIYs you can do in your home. On these larger fixtures, the repetition of polished brass cabinet hardware works together to achieve an overall understated, delicate statement. Trade any dull or outdated hardware for polished brass cabinet pulls or knobs to instantly customize and revitalize your space, with no major overhauls needed.

Pair of White Ceramic Doorknobs for Rim Locks in Polished Brass

Entrance Sets

What better way to create a warm welcome for guests than with polished brass on your front door? Its golden tone joined by an inviting sheen helps pull off a dazzling first impression—making the perfect finish for an entrance set.

Lexia Wall-Mount Polished Brass Bathroom Faucet

Faucets

Widely considered to be the heartbeat of kitchens, bathrooms, and beyond, the faucet is often what first draws our eyes when entering a room. Among their high spouts that stand out among the horizontal plane, a finish like polished brass fittingly emits a warm, inviting impression.

From a polished brass kitchen faucet or pot filler to a polished brass bathroom faucet or tub filler, this stunning finish truly highlights water sources of all types.

Alliston Exposed Pipe Shower in Polished Brass

Shower Systems

To steer clear of a cold, sterile feel in your bathroom, a clever solution is choosing warm tones for your main metallic fixtures, including your shower system. Choosing a finish like polished brass adds unmistakable warmth to your shower setup while ensuring eye-catching shine from across the room.

For a cohesive look throughout your metals, select a curated bathroom collection that features shower and tub components along with bath accessories like towel rings, toilet paper holders, and robe hooks.

Arles Knurled Polished Brass Cabinet Pull and Knob

Cabinet Hardware

From cabinetry to vanities to dressers, swapping out hardware is one the simplest DIYs you can do in your home. On these larger fixtures, the repetition of polished brass cabinet hardware works together to achieve an overall understated, delicate statement. Trade any dull or outdated hardware for polished brass cabinet pulls or knobs to instantly customize and revitalize your space, with no major overhauls needed.

Pair of White Ceramic Doorknobs for Rim Locks in Polished Brass

Entrance Sets

What better way to create a warm welcome for guests than with polished brass on your front door? Its golden tone joined by an inviting sheen helps pull off a dazzling first impression—making the perfect finish for an entrance set.


Other Polished Brass Accents to Consider

Give your home a put-together quality by paying close attention to those often-overlooked details. Incorporate polished brass into any room through accent mirrors, shelf brackets, and floor registers to achieve an undeniable refinement.

Classic Brass Shelf Bracket in Polished Brass
Classic Brass Shelf Bracket
Lexia Robe Hook in Polished Brass
Lexia Robe Hook
Modern Brass Oversized Wall Register in Antique Brass
Modern Brass Oversized Wall Register
Ceeley Towel Bar in Polished Brass
Ceeley Towel Bar
Winding Brass Scrollwork Shelf Bracket in Polished Brass
Winding Brass Scrollwork Shelf Bracket

Design Styles Fit for Polished Brass

Though this timeless finish could easily belong in any space, polished brass shines brightest among a few styles in particular.

Organic modern bathroom with Lentz Widespread Bathroom Faucet and Towel Ring in Brushed Gold
Organic Modern

Polished brass lends itself perfectly to organic modern style, complementing its prevalent use of airy, earthy tones via natural materials with the most delicate, warm glow.

See also: Lagom Style

Glam style bathroom with Lentz Single-Hole Bathroom Faucet, Alfaro 6-Light Chandelier  in Brushed Gold
Glam

Defined by statement-making luxury and opulence, glam style never misses an opportunity for the golden, high-impact sparkle emitted by polished brass.

See also: Art Deco Style

Victorian style bedroom with 47" Candler Elongated 6-Light Chandelier, Calera Single Wall Sconce in Brushed Gold
Victorian

The decorative embellishments found in Victorian style are beautifully complemented by the elegant nature of polished brass—not to mention it provides striking contrast against the dark wood tones quintessential to this style.

See also: Traditional Style

Organic modern bathroom with Lentz Widespread Bathroom Faucet and Towel Ring in Brushed Gold
Organic Modern

Polished brass lends itself perfectly to organic modern style, complementing its prevalent use of airy, earthy tones via natural materials with the most delicate, warm glow.

See also: Lagom Style

Glam style bathroom with Lentz Single-Hole Bathroom Faucet, Alfaro 6-Light Chandelier  in Brushed Gold
Glam

Defined by statement-making luxury and opulence, glam style never misses an opportunity for the golden, high-impact sparkle emitted by polished brass.

See also: Art Deco Style

Victorian style bedroom with 47" Candler Elongated 6-Light Chandelier, Calera Single Wall Sconce in Brushed Gold
Victorian

The decorative embellishments found in Victorian style are beautifully complemented by the elegant nature of polished brass—not to mention it provides striking contrast against the dark wood tones quintessential to this style.

See also: Traditional Style


More Types of Brass Finishes to Consider

If polished brass doesn’t quite meet your design goals, consider one of these brass finishes instead:

Satin Brass
Antique Brass
Aged Brass
Brushed Gold
Vintage Brass

Comparison of polished brass finish and unlacquered brass finish

Polished Brass vs Unlacquered Brass

Aside from adding a shiny look to brass, a polished brass finish provides a protective coating over its build while unlacquered brass is fully exposed to the elements. For a piece that will remain consistent in appearance for years to come, choose polished brass. Unlacquered brass will darken and tarnish as it oxidizes, developing a stunning patina over time.

A comparison of polished brass finish and satin brass finish

Polished Brass vs Satin Brass

Both warm and uniquely eye-catching, polished brass is highly reflective of light while satin brass offers a smooth look. If you’re seeking high shine in your metals, opt for polished brass, and for a rich glow, lean towards satin brass.

Comparison of polished brass finish and unlacquered brass finish

Polished Brass vs Unlacquered Brass

Aside from adding a shiny look to brass, a polished brass finish provides a protective coating over its build while unlacquered brass is fully exposed to the elements. For a piece that will remain consistent in appearance for years to come, choose polished brass. Unlacquered brass will darken and tarnish as it oxidizes, developing a stunning patina over time.

A comparison of polished brass finish and satin brass finish

Polished Brass vs Satin Brass

Both warm and uniquely eye-catching, polished brass is highly reflective of light while satin brass offers a smooth look. If you’re seeking high shine in your metals, opt for polished brass, and for a rich glow, lean towards satin brass.


More Ideas & Inspiration
Tips for Using Mixed Metals
Read More
Small Changes, Big Impact
Read More
Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide
Read More
Tips for Using Mixed Metals
Small Changes, Big Impact
Cabinet Hardware Buying Guide