Gunmetal vs Brushed Nickel: Which Finish Is Best for Your Bathroom or Kitchen Fixtures?

When selecting fixtures and fittings, the choice between brushed gunmetal vs brushed nickel goes far beyond aesthetics. Each finish brings its own distinct style, maintenance needs, and atmosphere — capable of truly elevating the character of your space.

Brushed gunmetal offers a rich, darker tone with a modern edge, making it an excellent choice for contemporary kitchens and bathrooms. Brushed nickel, on the other hand, delivers a softer, more classic finish that easily suits both traditional and modern interiors.

In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of each finish to help you decide which is best suited to your space.

Brushed gunmetal adds subtle character and depth to interior spaces. Its rich grey tone and matte finish make it a natural fit for modern, industrial, or minimalist designs. It pairs beautifully with raw materials such as concrete, timber, and stone, offering contrast without dominating the overall aesthetic.

From bathroom taps to cabinet handles and shower fittings, this finish is a favourite for those after a refined, understated look. It’s also highly practical — concealing fingerprints and water marks, making it ideal for busy households and commercial settings alike.

Brushed nickel has a soft grey tone and a subtle sheen, offering a warmer, more refined alternative to chrome. It’s a timeless choice for taps, cabinet handles, and other fittings, particularly suited to traditional, coastal, or pared-back interiors.

Thanks to its versatility, brushed nickel pairs effortlessly with natural materials like timber and marble, adding a touch of polish without overwhelming the space. It’s also a practical option: durable, low maintenance, and resistant to tarnishing, making it a dependable choice for various kitchen and bathroom designs.

Selecting between gunmetal and brushed nickel goes beyond surface aesthetics—it’s also about finding the right balance of style, functionality, and long-term performance. The ideal finish should reflect your design sensibilities while also suiting the space's practical demands.

At ABI Interiors, both our gunmetal and brushed nickel fixtures are treated using PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) technology, ensuring enhanced durability and resistance to everyday wear. This advanced coating process results in a highly resilient, high-performance finish that maintains its look over time.

Both finishes are simple to maintain with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth or microfibre sponge. For more persistent marks, a gentle cream cleanser or diluted toothpaste may be used. Wiping fixtures dry after use helps prevent the build-up of watermarks or surface rust and supports their longevity.

Brushed gunmetal offers a rich, dark tone that adds depth to interiors while naturally disguising fingerprints and water spots. Brushed nickel, by contrast, delivers a lighter, more reflective finish, which may show marks more readily but remains a timeless option for classic and contemporary spaces. Both finishes perform well in high-use and humid environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Gunmetal has traditionally been a go-to for bathrooms with a strong, modern edge. With their dark, matte finish and cool undertones, gunmetal fixtures are ideal for making a substantial visual impact in bathrooms and kitchens. Helping enhance modern, industrial, and minimalist interiors, a gunmetal faucet pairs beautifully with materials like white quartz, concrete, and natural wood. Gunmetal brings a sense of sophistication and edge to any space. 

By contrast, brushed nickel bathroom taps provide a softer, more understated finish — perfect for creating clean, cohesive interiors. Their warm tone and subtle texture ensure this versatile finish accommodates family-friendly kitchens and bathrooms where durability meets timeless style. Brushed nickel complements light colour palettes and textured surfaces, helping to create calm, inviting spaces without dominating the scheme. 

In today’s interior design landscape, gunmetal and brushed nickel are increasing in popularity, offering distinct benefits that suit different styles and settings. Gunmetal responds to the growing demand for darker, matte finishes that make a statement and lend a touch of drama to modern interiors. At the same time, brushed nickel remains a staple in design due to its adaptability and enduring appeal, especially for homeowners seeking finishes that offer both style and long-term versatility. Choosing between them often comes down to the desired mood of the space, whether bold and contemporary or soft and timeless.

The undertone of each finish plays an important role in how it works with surrounding colour schemes. Gunmetal, with its cool undertones, pairs well with whites, greys, and deep blues, while offering striking contrast against warmer wood tones, bringing depth and balance to the space. This contrast can help balance a space and highlight both materials. Brushed nickel’s warm undertones complement creams, soft blues, and natural textures, helping create a cohesive, balanced look in softer design palettes.

From appearance and maintenance to where they’re best suited, brushed gunmetal and brushed nickel each offer distinct advantages, depending on your style and how you use your space. Their individual qualities can help guide your decision. Here’s a quick overview of what each finish brings to the table:

Choosing between gunmetal and brushed nickel depends on what matters most to you — style, upkeep, or how the space is used. Both are highly regarded finishes that can add great dimension to kitchen and bathroom fixtures.   

If you aim for a bold, modern aesthetic, brushed gunmetal delivers a distinctly moody sophistication that pairs effortlessly with contemporary and industrial interiors. Its darker, cool-toned matte finish creates strong contrast and works exceptionally well with white, charcoal, or wood accents.

Alternatively, brushed nickel fixtures offer timeless versatility, making them a fitting choice for everything from traditional to more transitional interiors. Its warm undertones and soft sheen make it ideal for creating a cohesive, calming aesthetic, particularly when paired with natural textures and neutral colour schemes.

Choosing between brushed gunmetal and brushed nickel comes down to what works best for your space. Consider everything from overall style and maintenance to the look you want to achieve long-term. Whether you’re drawn to the bold richness of gunmetal or the subtle adaptability of brushed nickel, each finish has its own unique strength.

Discover further interior design ideas in the blogs below:

Brass vs Stainless Steel Tapware: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home? 

What is Aged Brass? A Comprehensive Overview

The 7 Principles of Interior Design