Is Brushed Gold Going Out of Style?

You’ve probably noticed how fast design trends change. For years, your home was likely filled with cool, sleek stainless steel and chrome. Now, gold is making a huge comeback, turning functional rooms into warm, personal spaces.

As we get further into 2025, you might be asking the big question: Is gold a lasting trend, or will it look tacky in a few years? You’re in the right place. We’ll get straight to why warm metals are popular, how to pick the right gold finish, and where to use it so your home looks great for years to come.

Gold is back, but it’s different this time. Forget the shiny, over-the-top polished gold from the 80s and 90s that often looked gaudy.

Today’s gold is all about a softer, more understated look. You’ll see it as a light-tone brass with a muted matte or satin finish.5 It adds a touch of quiet luxury that feels sophisticated, not flashy, and enhances a room with warmth and character.

For a long time, cool finishes like chrome, brushed nickel, and stainless steel were everywhere. Chrome is timeless and easy to clean, but there’s a clear shift happening.

People are now choosing the depth and character of gold, brass, and bronze. These warm metals create a richer, more inviting atmosphere that was missing from cooler tones.

This change reflects a desire for our homes to be warm, comforting sanctuaries, a trend seen in styles that emphasize cozy, lived-in spaces.7 Warm metals perfectly bridge old-world character with modern style, making your home feel complete.

One of the biggest reasons gold is sticking around is its versatility. It works in almost any design style, whether your home is minimalist, traditional, farmhouse, or even industrial.

Gold has a unique ability to adapt. It can add vintage charm or a sleek, modern flair depending on how you use it.

This flexibility means it never feels out of place and can evolve with your personal style over time. It also pairs well with many materials, from stone and wood to matte black.

When you shop for gold fixtures, you’ll find a lot of options. Knowing the difference between them helps you pick the perfect one for your home.

You’re seeing this finish everywhere for a reason. Brushed gold is the most popular choice, known for its subtle, matte look that feels elegant and sophisticated.

People often call it the “new gold” because it gives you the warmth without the glare. The finish comes from lightly brushing the metal’s surface, which creates a soft, satin-like texture.

Besides looking great, brushed gold is practical. It’s fantastic at hiding fingerprints and water spots, making it a low-maintenance option for busy kitchens and bathrooms.

It fits perfectly with modern, transitional, and even Scandinavian designs.

If you like drama and sparkle, polished gold might be for you. It has a high-gloss, reflective surface that feels opulent and glamorous. This finish is great for classic or Art Deco styles and makes a bold statement.

However, be aware that it can sometimes look like the “1980s excess” if you’re not careful. Its mirror-like shine also means it needs more maintenance to keep it clean from fingerprints and water spots.

Champagne Bronze, especially from brands like Delta, is another popular choice. It has a warmer, deeper tone than brushed gold, with a muted, golden-bronze color that can have a slight pink or peach undertone.

Many people prefer it because it’s “not as harsh as a lot of brands,” offering a soft, versatile look. It works well in traditional and transitional designs. If you’re coordinating, Delta’s Champagne Bronze pairs perfectly with TopKnobs Honey Bronze hardware.

The world of warm metals doesn’t stop there. Here are a few others you should know:

• Antique or Aged Brass: This finish has a darker, weathered look that adds old-world charm. It’s chemically treated to look naturally aged, which makes it great for vintage or rustic styles. It’s also very low-maintenance because the weathered look hides smudges.
• Satin Brass: This is the middle ground between brushed and polished brass. It has a smooth, low-sheen surface without the visible brush marks you see on brushed brass.18 It offers a sleek, modern look and is good at hiding fingerprints.
• Rose Gold: For a modern twist, rose gold’s pinkish hue adds a soft, romantic feel. It has become a modern classic and works well in eclectic or bohemian styles, especially when paired with neutral colors and natural materials.
• Vintage Brass: This finish is designed to look authentically “lived-in,” as if it has aged over decades. It’s less about shine and more about a rich, storied character, often sealed with a matte lacquer to protect its look.

Here’s a quick table to help you choose:

Let’s get to the real question. You’re probably wondering, “Is gold going to look dated soon?” It’s a fair concern, especially if you remember the over-the-top gold of the 70s and 80s. The fear of making an expensive mistake is real.

The good news is that modern gold finishes are not going out of style. Brushed gold has become a design essential, not just a trend. Many experts agree that the right gold finish has real staying power.

Today’s muted and brushed golds have a timeless elegance that’s completely different from the flashy versions of the past. Because it’s so adaptable, gold evolves with your design instead of defining it. When you choose it thoughtfully, gold is here to stay.

Gold’s secret weapon is its ability to adapt. It works perfectly in homes that value character and a touch of glamour. Two major design trends for 2025 make gold an even safer bet.

First, mixing metals is a huge trend. You can pair gold with other finishes like black, chrome, or nickel to create a fashionable, contemporary look. This approach makes your design more timeless. A room with only gold might feel dated eventually, but a space that intentionally mixes gold and matte black feels sophisticated and resilient.

Second, sustainability is a growing focus in design. Brass and bronze, the metals behind many gold finishes, are durable and often recyclable. As you look for beautiful and responsible choices, these warm metals are becoming even more popular.

So you’ve decided on gold, but where should you put it? Here are some smart ways to bring this finish into your home.

Gold makes a big impact in these high-traffic areas, adding a bit of everyday luxury.

• Faucets: A gold faucet at your bathroom or kitchen sink is a powerful way to anchor your design.
• Cabinet Hardware: Swapping out knobs and pulls is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to add a touch of gold.
• Lighting: Gold light fixtures, like pendants over an island or sconces by a mirror, can brighten up a room and act as a beautiful centerpiece.
• Other Fixtures: Don’t forget smaller details like shower systems, towel bars, and sinks to create a cohesive look.

Gold works well all over the house, not just in kitchens and bathrooms.

• Door Hardware: Gold entry sets and levers make a great first impression.
• Wall Decor & Mirrors: A gold-framed mirror or wall art can be a stunning focal point in a living room or entryway.
• Furniture Accents: Look for furniture with gold details, like the legs on a console table or the frame of a bookshelf.
• Exterior Details: You can even use gold outside for light fixtures or house numbers.

Mixing metals is a popular and sophisticated trend for 2025. It might sound tricky, but the key is to be intentional.

• Pick a Leader: Choose one dominant metal and use others as accents. A 60/40 or 80/20 split works well. For example, your faucets could be brushed gold, while your cabinet pulls are matte black.
• Harmonize: You can definitely mix warm and cool tones, like brass and chrome. Just be consistent with the finish style. Try to pair brushed with brushed or matte with matte to make it look purposeful.
• What to Avoid: Try not to mix two metals from the same color family but with different finishes, like polished brass and brushed brass, right next to each other. It can look like a mistake.
• Tie it Together: Bronze light fixtures are great for bridging different metal tones, as bronze often has both warm and cool undertones.

Gold looks great with a wide range of colors and materials.

• Dark Tones: For a dramatic look, pair gold with black, navy, or deep green. The contrast makes the gold pop.
• Neutral Palettes: Gold is stunning against clean backgrounds like white, gray, or cream. It also works well with natural materials like marble, wood, and stone.
• Cool Hues: Gold harmonizes beautifully with cool colors like green and blue. The warm/cool balance creates a timeless and visually interesting look.
• Natural Materials: Marble, wood, and glass all complement gold, enhancing its luxurious feel.

You don’t have to go all-in on gold. Using it for small accents is a great way to add a touch of color without overwhelming a room. Think cabinet hardware, picture frames, vases, or decorative trays. These small touches let you embrace the trend with less cost and commitment.

Now that you’re inspired, let’s cover the practical side of choosing gold. You want your new fixtures to be beautiful, durable, and easy to care for.

• Foundation First: Brass has always been a standard for plumbing because it’s naturally antimicrobial and resists rust. Even chrome and nickel finishes are often plated over a solid brass body.
• Solid vs. Plated: Invest in high-quality solid brass fixtures or those with a durable PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) finish. They will look great and last for years.
• Beware of “Cheap Finishes”: Be careful with cheap finishes that can wear off. If a cheap gold finish wears away, the silver or gray metal underneath is very noticeable and can make the fixture look worn out quickly.
• Smart Sourcing: For the best quality, buy plumbing fixtures directly from the manufacturer or a reputable plumbing supply store. Big box stores sometimes carry lower-quality lines from well-known brands to meet a cheaper price point.

Modern brushed and satin finishes are great because they hide fingerprints and water spots. Keeping them clean is simple.

• The Golden Rule: Just wipe them down with a soft cloth, mild soap, and water. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners that can damage the finish.
• Proactive Care: A quick wipe-down after use prevents water spots from becoming permanent marks. For extra protection on matte finishes, you can even apply a non-abrasive car wax to help repel water.

Gold fixtures can be more expensive than other finishes like chrome, sometimes costing 40-45% more. But you can still get the look without overspending.

• Smart Blending: Mix brushed gold with more affordable options like brushed nickel or matte black. This is both trendy and budget-friendly.
• High-Low Mix: Splurge on one stunning gold light fixture as a focal point and use less expensive metals for smaller accents like cabinet hardware.
• DIY Test Drive: If you want to try the look without a big commitment, you can spray paint existing fixtures like a toilet paper holder or towel hooks. It’s a great way to see if you like it before investing in new pieces.

Matching gold tones across different brands can be a real headache. One company’s “Brushed Gold” might look completely different from another’s.

Here’s how to get a cohesive look and avoid frustration:

• The “One Brand” Rule: For fixtures that are close together, like your shower head and valve trim, buy them all from the same manufacturer. It’s the only way to guarantee a perfect match.
• The “Future-Proofing” Strategy with Moen M-PACT: Worried about gold going out of style? The Moen M-PACT common valve system is a game-changer. A plumber installs a universal valve inside the wall, and you can change the exterior trim (the handles and spout) yourself in minutes without touching the plumbing. This means you can have brushed gold today and easily swap it for matte black in ten years. It makes a big decision flexible and low-risk.
• See it to Believe it: Always order samples or bring items home to compare them in your own lighting before you buy. This simple step can save you a lot of trouble.

So, is brushed gold out in 2025? Absolutely not. It has evolved from a trend into a modern design essential, valued for its warmth, versatility, and quiet luxury.

Ultimately, your home should reflect your personal style. As one homeowner said, “I would choose what I liked, not what’s in style.” Trends change, but a space you truly love will always feel right. By thoughtfully using gold and warm metals, you can create a stunning, elegant space that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Happy designing!