Pros and Cons of Black Bathroom Fixtures

Last Updated on November 26, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford

A great way to modernize your bathroom is to go bold with your fixtures, deviating away from the traditional golds and silvers and looking at deep colors such as copper or black.

Black bathroom fixtures are a great way to add a touch of elegance with numerous colors on the color wheel that can be matched perfectly or even contrasted against. You can use black bathroom fixtures as a quick refresher or as part of a completely new bathroom design.

But black bathroom fixtures might not be for everyone. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using black bathroom fixtures in your home.

In this article

Pros of Black Bathroom Fixtures

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So, what are some reasons you should go for black bathroom fixtures and not the traditional silver, bronzed, or gold ones?

They are competitively priced compared to other metals and finishes – Often, alternative finishes such as wrought iron or oil rubbed bronze are more expensive than the standard stainless steel or chrome finishes. But that’s not the case anymore. You can get beautiful black bathroom fixtures for pretty much the same price as others.
They will match with anything – The best thing about black? It goes with just about anything. Any finish, color, or textile. So, it doesn’t matter what style you have in your home; there’s a black bathroom fixture to go with it.
They are easy to clean and maintain – They tend to show dust and debris a little easier than your traditional fixtures, but they are also easy to clean. A swipe with a microfiber cloth is sometimes all they need to be sparkling again.
Doesn’t show fingerprints as easily – Due to the dark finish, oily fingerprints won’t show up as easily as they do on gold or chrome finishes.
They are both vintage and modern at the same time – that’s the magic of high-quality black bathroom fixtures. They can be used in a modern, vintage, or nautical theme. Just be sure to choose a design and shape that works with your bathroom style.

Cons of Black Bathroom Fixtures

As with any product, there are definitely some cons to black bathroom fixtures. Some are unavoidable with the proper care and treatment, while others just can’t be helped. They include:

Are more prone to dullness and fading than their counterparts – Because the black is usually an applied finish over regular steel, it can fade in the sun and lose its luster.
They can be damaged easily – Black bathroom fixtures usually aren’t black under the surface. So, if you scratch or chip it, you’ll see the underlying metal used. (usually standard steel)
Shows dust – As mentioned earlier, black bathroom fixtures tend to show dust and dirt more prominently than other finishes. But that applies to just about anything black.

What Colors Go Good with Black?

Black is one of the most neutral and strongest colors in the color wheel. It can be paired with literally any other color and still look amazing, even in bathroom décor and fixtures.

In the case of your bathroom, you want to choose a color that suits the style you are going for.

Do You Want Modern and Monochromatic?

Then use similar dark shades on the bathroom accessories and furnishings. For example:

Muted grays
Charcoal
Dark navy

Bright and Colorful?

If you want a bright and cheery bathroom with black fixtures, you definitely want to make the colors pop on the walls and in furnishings such as a vanity mirror.

Think of bright colors that use the darkness of the black to contrast with. For example, use teal in the bathroom. It’s one of the most popular pairings with black fixtures. But also purple, burnt reds, and oranges go well, too.

A Softer Palette?

Style your bathroom and pair the black bathroom fixtures with dainty colors such as dusty rose pink, blush, lilac, and sky blue for a softer look. Use other neutral colors to tie the room together, such as pale tan or beige detailing on the hand towels, wall art, and more.

How to Clean and Care for Black Bathroom Fixtures

One of the things to remember when it comes to black bathroom fixtures is that you might have to adjust your bathroom cleaning habits, depending on the finish used. You don’t want to use harsh cleaning chemicals on a finished black bathroom fixture. This can dull and tarnish the coating.

It’s important to know what type of finish is on your black bathroom fixtures. These can include oil-rubbed bronze, wrought iron, matte black, painted black, etc.

Make sure you choose a finish that is water-resistant, rust-resistant, and even tarnish-resistant.

Get fixtures that use strong metals and have a long lifespan. A decent warranty is good evidence of this. But try and get one that’s made from steel and not aluminum.

You want to avoid harsh bleaching cleaners. Especially if the fixture has a shiny finish. These cleaners contain chemicals that can strip and dull the coating that gives a luminous shine to your bathroom fixtures. Use a mild cleanser such as natural or organic soap, warm water, and a soft cloth for cleansing.

Avoid using a harsh scrubbing cloth unless absolutely necessary and even then, only apply minimal amounts of pressure to avoid blemishing the shine right off your fixtures.

Don’t air-dry the fixtures, as this will definitely leave water spots. Instead, use a polishing cloth in smooth, gentle motions to buff them back to their sparkling shine – you will spend more time cleaning but be happy that you did.

If your black bathroom fixtures are done in a matte and semi-flat finish, you definitely don’t want to use harsh abrasives and chemicals when cleaning. They can build up in the tiny grooves and bumps that give the matte finish, leaving them dull even after washing.

Use warm soapy water and a microfiber cloth for the best results. Pat dry the fixtures but don’t rub them dry as the fibers from the cloth can get snagged and leave fuzzy bits.

Why Renovate Your Bathroom?

There are numerous reasons to renovate your bathroom, both practical and personal.

On the practical side, renovating your bathroom can save you numerous headaches in the years to come. It’s a perfect time to ensure all plumbing is up to code and working correctly. It’s also a great time to choose more water-efficient fixtures to do your part in saving water and lessening your carbon footprint. (tip: you can get these in black)
You can also upgrade things such as the lighting fixtures, the tub enclosure, and the sink. If you’re renovating, you may as well do it all at once and save yourself having to replace things later.
Just like your bedroom or home office, you want your bathroom to be an extension of your personality. Renovating is a great opportunity to really work in your personal style. So, go nuts! Get that black bathroom fixture and pair it with teal walls and quirky décor.

In Conclusion

Black bathroom fixtures, as evidenced here, don’t have to be dull, dreary, or cold. They can be quite lovely when paired with the right accessories and overall vibe. They have an understated elegance that can’t be matched by the flashier and more popular silver and gold, which is largely why they are growing in popularity.

Black fixtures don’t only match numerous color schemes and décor themes, but they will continue to match whatever you choose to do with your bathroom in the future. They’re elegant and timeless, making them a great investment.

Just be sure that whatever finish or coating you choose for your black bathroom fixtures will last and that you treat them as recommended for the best results.

Now, once your new black bathroom fixtures are in place – it’s time to sink into a relaxing bath of hot water and essential oils and admire your newly renovated bathroom with pride.