Brushed Gold Shower System: Pros and Cons for Luxury Bathroom Renovations

One trend that is particularly gaining momentum in the luxury bathroom industry is the brushed gold shower system. The brushed gold finish gives a luxurious and elegant visual appearance while adding warmth and glamour to almost any bathroom. Like any trend within a space, there are reaps and rewards to weigh in your consideration level and decision-making for selecting a brushed gold finish on a shower system during your upcoming bathroom renovation.

 

What is a Brushed Gold Shower System?

A brushed gold shower system is a collection of bathroom fixtures finished in a brushed gold finish. Typically, it will consist of a shower head, faucet set, handle, and additional hardware. The brushed finish is obtained through the process of scrubbing the metal surface with either a wire brush or an abrasive pad, which subsequently creates texture and a matte finish. Gold is synonymous with royalty and elegance; hence, homeowners who want a luxurious, high-end bathroom tend to opt for this finish.

 

Why Choose Brushed Gold for Your Shower System?

Before diving into the pros and cons, let's first understand why so many homeowners are opting for brushed gold in their bathroom renovations.

1. Aesthetic Appeal

2. Brushed gold has become a symbol of sophistication and luxury. Its warm, metallic tone adds a level of refinement to any bathroom. Whether you have a modern, traditional, or even vintage-inspired bathroom, brushed gold can elevate the entire design.

3. Unique and Stylish

4. While chrome and polished silver fixtures have been standard in bathrooms for years, brushed gold offers a unique alternative. It combines the elegance of gold with a matte finish that doesn't feel overly flashy or showy. This makes it perfect for homeowners who want to make a statement without going overboard.

Pros of Brushed Gold Shower Systems

1. Luxurious Look and Feel

Brushed gold can turn a regular bathroom into a high-end, spa-like retreat. It has an elegant and luxurious feel that adds an element of luxury to your home's overall aesthetic. Whether you're replacing the faucets in your master bath, guest bath, or powder bath, brushed gold faucets will enhance the entire space—brushed gold is suitable for homeowners who enjoy an ultra-luxurious and high-end finish.  

 

2. Durability and Scratch Resistance

The brushed finish of gold bath faucets is a part aesthetic and part practicality. Polished finishes (polished nickel and polished brass) tend to show scratches and water spots more easily. If you want a water-resistant faucet, brushed gold is a better option to conceal minor imperfections. The textured surface of the brushed gold finish is also more durable than other finishes—but again, durability does come with wear and tear. Polished nickel or brass will eventually show rub marks or water spots over time from spills and scratches, but the matte finish on brushed gold helps to disguise the aging components. All of the faucet finishes should last years with proper care and will generally maintain their new and elegant look longer with a brushed gold finish.

 

3. Minimal Maintenance

Brushed gold shower systems require less maintenance than polished chrome or stainless steel. Polished finishes often require diligent and regular cleaning to prevent fingerprints, water spots, and smudges. However, the matte finish of brushed gold is much more forgiving of cleaning mistakes. The finish holds up against stains and fingerprints better on its own; therefore, it requires less meticulous cleaning. With a little care and minimal cleaning, your brushed gold shower system will sustain its stylish and fresh look.

 

4. Timeless Appeal

While trends of design come and go, brushed gold is, in a substantial way, a perennial color in the luxury bathroom design market. Unlike trends that can turn or go out of style completely, gold is timeless in appeal.

 

5. Adds Value to Your Home

Brushed gold fixtures can make a bathroom look more upscale, signaling quality and attention to detail. As a result, they may increase the perceived value of your home, which could lead to a higher sale price down the road.

 

Cons of Brushed Gold Shower Systems

1. Higher Initial Cost

One of the primary disadvantages of brushed gold shower systems is the price. While these fixtures are attractive and substantial, they are often more expensive than typical finishes, such as chrome or brushed nickel.

If you're trying to stick to a budget, selecting brushed gold may cause you to reconsider other areas of your remodel to fall within your budget. If you are expanding for luxury renovations, the investment may be justified. Keep in mind, however, that the price of brushed gold will need to be reasonable when considering

your overall bathroom budget.

 

2. Limited Availability

Because brushed gold is a specialty finish, it is not carried by every brand or manufacturer, limiting the options for all your showerheads, faucets, or other accessories. Depending on which brand/manufacturer/retailer you choose, you may be limited in style, or take a longer time to order anything. If you are looking for a completely matching finish, it will take extra time and effort to find all the fixtures.

 

3. Maintenance of the Finish

As mentioned, brushed gold is relatively easy to keep clean overall compared to shiny chrome or polished fixtures, but that does not mean you don't want to take proper care. The matte finish can easily begin to show things like soap scum, hard minerals, or deposits in a short amount of time, depending on your water source. While it is much quicker and simpler to clean than polished metal, it still requires a bit more consistent effort. Gentle cleaners are best to use (as with any finish).

 

4. Not as Common for DIY Projects

You may need to seek professional installation. If you're doing it yourself, it might take extra time to research or consult with professionals and incur additional costs throughout the renovation as a result.

 

Industry Trends and Consumer Preferences

As the popularity of brushed gold shower systems continues to rise, several trends are emerging in the luxury bathroom renovation market:

1. Mixing Metals

2. Designers are increasingly combining brushed gold with other finishes, such as matte black, chrome, or brushed nickel, to create a unique, multidimensional look. This trend enables homeowners to add depth and texture to their bathroom designs without being overly heavy-handed with a single color or material.

3. Modern Meets Classic

4. Now, brushed gold is found incorporated into contemporary elements, such as frameless glass shower doors, streamlined vanities, and sophisticated geometric tiles. This combination of classic luxury attributes paired with modern elements is renovating vintage styles to create a whole new look for the bathroom!

Conclusion

Brushed gold shower systems are undeniably highly luxurious and sophisticated in their appearance in the bathroom and are likely to be timeless, durable, and low-maintenance. Assuming you are willing to spend additional funds for a fabulous feature that will punctuate the appearance of your bathroom and ultimately add value to your home, then it is worth it. Maintenance would be reasonable, while being aware of maintenance issues; a brushed gold shower will infinitely increase the sophistication and elegance of the bathroom space.