Choosing your bathroom hardware colour

Choosing your bathroom hardware colour

At shower door builder we know that picking hardware colour for a bathroom is one of the fastest ways to change the room’s personality. Taps, shower fittings, towel rails, door handles and accessories are visual anchors The finish you choose will set tone, impact perceived temperature (warm vs cool), and help tiles, paint and lighting lift the colour scheme.

Below is a comparison of popular finishes including, brushed brass, polished brass, antique brass, brushed nickel, polished nickel, matte black and polished chrome that we can manufacture our bespoke shower doors and enclosures in. We've also included practical pairing advice for different tile colours and bathroom styles.

Here is a quick glossary of finishes that you can choose on our showerdoorbuilder.com website

Polished brass — shiny, highly reflective, yellow-gold Glamorous and bold.

Brushed brass — softer in colour with a satin sheen and faint linear texture; less reflective.

Antique brass — darker, warm tones with patina-like depth; giving a vintage aged feel.

Polished nickel — warming silver tones with a subtle glow; a softer look than traditional polished chrome

Brushed nickel — satin silver-grey with muted tones - great for resisting finger marks

Polished chrome — reflective and modern looking

Matte black — flat, non-reflective black; strong modern/industrial statement.

How colours change the feel of a bathroom

Warm finishes (brass, antique) make a space cosy and inviting. They visually add warmth to cool tile palettes and can make large bathrooms feel less clinical.

Cool finishes (chrome, nickel) create a clean, crisp aesthetic — good for bright, contemporary bathrooms, or where you want a reflective, airy feel.

Matte black adds drama and definition, and is excellent for creating contrast — it frames fittings the way a picture frame frames art.

Pairing hardware with tile colours — practical combos

White subway or plain white tiles

Brass (brushed or polished) — creates classic, warm contrast. Brushed brass gives a restrained luxury; polished brass is more glamorous.

Chrome/nickel — keeps it clean and modern.

Matte black — graphic, contemporary; works especially well with black grout or dark accents.

Grey tiles (light to mid grey)

Brushed nickel or polished nickel — harmonious and sophisticated.

Matte black — strong, modern contrast.

Brushed brass — unexpected warmth; excellent if you want an intentionally styled, boutique-hotel look.

Charcoal or black tiles

Brass (brushed or antique) — luxury, vintage glamor; invites warmth against a moody backdrop.

Matte black — tone-on-tone elegance (use different textures to avoid flatness).

Polished chrome — bright punctuation, if you prefer high contrast.

Beige, cream, or warm stone tiles

Brass (all varieties) — natural match; enhances the warm undertones.

Brushed nickel — a softer match if you want less yellow.

Choosing Your Bathroom Hardware Colour: A Shower Door Builder Guide to Brass, Nickel, Black & Chrome

At Shower Door Builder, we know that choosing the right hardware colour can completely transform your bathroom. It’s one of the smallest decisions in the design process, but it sets the tone for the entire space — from the warmth of your shower hinges to the elegance of your taps and accessories.

Our team talks about hardware every single day, and we see first-hand which finishes elevate bathrooms, which ones pair best with certain tiles, and how each metal brings its own personality. In this guide, we’re breaking down the most popular finishes we offer: brushed brass, polished brass, antique brass, brushed nickel, polished nickel, matte black and polished chrome — and how they can bring your space to life.

The Brass Family — Warm, Stylish, and Full of Character

Polished Brass

At Shower Door Builder, polished brass is often chosen by customers who want a luxurious, high-impact finish. It’s glossy, glamorous and perfect if you’re creating a boutique hotel or Art Deco style bathroom. Just be aware it shows fingerprints more easily — but the payoff in elegance is huge.

Pairs beautifully with:

White tiles, warm marbles, navy and deep charcoal tiles.

Brushed Brass

Brushed brass is one of the most requested finishes on our site — and for good reason. It’s warm without being shiny, modern without being cold, and forgiving in terms of maintenance. Our team often recommends it for customers who want a high-end feel that isn’t too bold.

Pairs beautifully with:

Grey tiles, terrazzo, beige stone, modern white bathrooms.

Antique Brass

Antique brass has a gorgeous aged appearance that our customers love for traditional or vintage-inspired bathrooms. It hides marks brilliantly and instantly adds warmth and depth to your space.

Pairs beautifully with:

Cream tiles, warm-veined marble, patterned or encaustic tiles, greens and earth tones.

Nickel Finishes — Soft, Elegant & Timeless

Polished Nickel

If you want something classic but not as bright as chrome, polished nickel is a fantastic choice. We often recommend it for customers looking for a timeless, luxury feel that works with both modern and traditional bathrooms.

Pairs beautifully with:

White metro tiles, marble, soft greys, sage and pale blues.

Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel is subtle, calm, and versatile — ideal if you prefer your hardware to blend in rather than stand out. At Shower Door Builder, we see this chosen by customers designing minimalist or spa-like spaces.

Pairs beautifully with:

Concrete-effect tiles, natural stone, light grey schemes.

Black & Chrome — Bold and Bright Choices

Matte Black

Matte black is one of our most dramatic finishes, and it’s perfect for customers creating a modern, monochrome or industrial-style bathroom. The team here often suggests pairing it with lighter tiles to create a striking contrast.

Pairs beautifully with:

White tiles, pale neutrals, light grey concrete tiles, wood accents.

Polished Chrome

Polished chrome is the classic go-to. It’s bright, durable, universally flattering, and one of the most timeless finishes we offer. If you want something fresh, modern and low-maintenance, chrome ticks every box.

Pairs beautifully with:

White tiles, cool greys, blues, glossy finishes, minimalistic designs.

How Hardware Colours Transform Your Bathroom

At Shower Door Builder, we see how dramatically different metals can change the atmosphere of a room:

Warm finishes like brass instantly cosy up a space.

Cool finishes like chrome and nickel keep bathrooms bright and crisp.

Matte black adds definition and a designer edge.

Even if your tiles stay completely neutral, the hardware finish you choose can make your space feel brand new.

Tile & Hardware Pairings We Recommend Most Often

Based on thousands of custom shower doors we help build, here are combinations our team sees working perfectly again and again:

White Tiles

Brushed brass — warm and stylish

Polished nickel — classic luxury

Matte black — bold contrast

Grey Tiles

Brushed nickel — blended and seamless

Brushed brass — warm, high-end boutique feel

Matte black — contemporary edge

Beige or Cream Tiles

Antique brass — rich and cohesive

Brushed nickel — soft and subtle

Matte black — grounding and modern

Charcoal or Black Tiles

Brushed brass — stunning warmth

Chrome — brightens the space

Antique brass — moody sophistication

Marble

Polished nickel — timeless hotel style

Brushed brass — warm opulence

Chrome — crisp and elegant

Mixing Finishes — Our Team’s Golden Rules

Yes, you can mix hardware colours

Stick to two finishes max.

Choose one main finish for your shower door hinges and taps.

Use the second finish as an accent (e.g., mirrors or cabinet pulls).

Repeat each finish at least twice so it feels intentional.

Final Thoughts From the Shower Door Builder Team

Choosing hardware shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

Whether you love the warmth of brushed brass, the soft elegance of nickel, the bold edge of black or the clean shine of chrome, each finish brings its own mood and identity to your bathroom.