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Step aside, gray and chrome bathrooms: Your reign of the past decade is officially over. In your place? Gold and brass finishes that are rooted in quiet luxury, and bring warmth, timelessness, and soul back into the modern bathroom — at least, according to some real estate professionals I’ve been talking to.
“Instead of making the bathroom feel old-fashioned, these [brass and gold] elements ground it, give it character, and, most importantly, express permanence — appealing to buyers who are tired of seeing a sea of sterile gray-and-white tiled bathrooms,” says Joe Ellul-Turner, a real estate expert and founder at Darscover, a digital home property portal.
But just because brass is back doesn’t mean it’s time to pull out the fabric toilet covers and brass tins of potpourri. “It is less about a full-blown [retro] comeback and more about giving a vintage silhouette a fresh edge,” says Dallas designer Lauren Saab of Saab Studios.
Experts are seeing these finishes on everything from towel racks and hardware, to plumbing fixtures and lighting. However, they’re not the ultra-shiny, bright brass finishes of the ’80s; they exhibit a warm, vintage-meets-modern aesthetic.
What’s Driving the Return of Brass Accents in Homes?
People are craving more character and nostalgia after being immersed in cooler tones of chrome and matte black, according to Andrew Bowen, co-founder and partner of Ash Staging and Ash NYC. “Three or four years ago, everyone wanted black and white minimalism; now they want warmth, texture, and patina. Gold tones bring back some personality, some soul. It’s nostalgic, but done in a modern way — less shiny bling, more quiet luxury,” explains Bowen. “Boutique hotels have been doing it for a while, and now buyers want their homes to feel like that.”
Not All Types of Brass Are Back
Brass and gold are available in unlacquered, lacquered, and brushed finishes and vary based on the client’s taste. Real estate investor Ilmars Vosels of Real Estate Batumi says he’s seen both ends of the spectrum.
“Design purists gravitate toward unlacquered brass because the way it ages each year adds character; others prefer lacquered or brushed finishes that maintain a consistent tone,” says Vosels, adding that “even in bold applications, the trend leans warmer and more refined than the shiny chrome that dominated the last decade.” Bowen adds that most brass he sees today leans mostly subtle — antique, brushed, or unlacquered. “Designers are leaning into the imperfections; the way unlacquered brass darkens over time adds character. We stay away from the super-shiny golds — they can feel dated or overly glam unless the whole concept supports it.”
Denver interior designer Laura Medicus says satin brass is a “go-to finish” for people craving warmth in a bathroom. “With all the tile and hard surfaces, bathrooms can seem cold and sterile, and a touch of brass goes a long way to visually warm the space.”
Buyers Are Lingering in Bathrooms with These Finishes
Real estate agents are seeing gold and brass finishes spark real emotional reactions during showings, turning them into memorable tour moments rather than quick walkthroughs.
“I’ve noticed buyers’ faces light up when they enter bathrooms with warm brass and gold finishes; they pull out their phones to snap pictures, and I hear comments like, ‘This house costs more than the last one,’ and ‘I can picture myself here,’” notes Richard Mews, CEO of Sell With Richard.
Mew says that what impresses him the most is “how these finishes make buyers want to spend more time in the bathroom.” They envision their own towels hanging from the brass bars, and “many clients [have] said that a nice bathroom with gold hardware helped them pick between two similar properties.”
Deepak Shukla, founder of Pearl Lemon Properties, says that when buyers linger in bathrooms, he knows it’s going to sell before they even realize it. “Modern brass isn’t blingy anymore, it’s emotional,” adds Shukla.
Brandon Hardiman, owner of Yellowhammer Home Buyers, recalls a recent open house when three separate couples spent extra time photographing the bathroom with aged brass towel bars and faucets, and two of them specifically asked whether the fixtures would stay with the property. “This level of emotional attachment to bathroom hardware would have been unthinkable five years ago when fixtures were purely functional; still, brass and gold have transformed these elements into actual selling features that buyers remember and request,” explains Hardiman.
How Brass and Gold Finishes Help Homes Sell
Experts say brass and gold finishes give bathrooms a thoughtful, well-designed feel — more boutique hotel than cookie-cutter home, which is a huge selling point. The finishes bring warmth, depth, and a sense of intention that stands out in photos and in person. And it’s happening in bathrooms large and small.
“They immediately dress up the space so that even small bathrooms look more thoughtful and design-driven,” says real estate investor Gagan Saini of JiT Home Buyers. “Customers feel as though they’re stepping into a boutique hotel and not a builder-grade residence.”
He adds that “warm metals complement today’s most popular aesthetics, including natural stone, soft whites, deep greens, and Japandi-inspired minimalism — and that they photograph beautifully, which matters for online listings … and the data supports that.”
“Sales statistics on recently updated [listings] with these brass fixtures reveal that they create an average of 1,500 more positive online interest measured by saves and share counts than traditional chrome or brushed nickel fixtures,” says Mike Aziz, co-owner of M1 Home Buyers. “This marriage of modern [design] with antique materials appeals enormously to buyers now.”
For sellers and investors, minor swaps such as brass hardware are yielding high-ROI changes, adds Medicus. “They generate enthusiasm in walk-throughs and photos, and that visibility is just what fuels offers in a competitive market.”
Brass and Gold Finishes Aren’t Just for Luxury Homes — They’re Everywhere
While brass and gold embellishments are found in luxury homes, they’re also available at lower price points, such as the budget-friendly Delta Champagne Bronze finish Medicus recommends, which is available at big-box stores like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, or lower-priced items at CB2.
Rejuvenation’s new finish, Heritage Brass, offers a subtle, refined look for mid-range budgets, and you can find gold and brass bathroom accents at various price points at Etsy.
“I’m installing brass and gold finishes across my entire portfolio, from $180,000 starter homes to $450,000 renovated properties, and the return on investment actually increases at lower price points,” says Hardiman. “A $200 unlacquered brass faucet in a modest home creates disproportionate perceived value because it signals that someone invested thought and taste into the property.”
“Luxury looks are no longer solely reserved for the luxury segment; this style is now available across markets,” adds Batumi.
