Mixing fixture brands in a bathroom: Should I do it?
Is it ok to mix brands in one space?
Starting Oct. 1, I will be starting two bathroom remodels and this was the exact question that my client asked. While she liked the faucet from one brand, she loved the shower valve from another brand. So what's a person to do? Should you be mixing fixture brands in a bathroom, kitchen, or other spaces?Please note, this specific blog contains affiliate links. While these links are at no additional cost to you, I will earn a very small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As I write about the products below I wish for you to know the views expressed in this blog are totally mine.
Collections
Brands do a good job of curating collections. This can make it easy to choose one collection and use it for the entire space.
Here is a sample of what Brizo has put together for their collections.
While it is convenient to choose one collection for your space, it is very common for interior design professionals to mix brands to ensure the look and feel is perfect!
Mixing fixture brands
Style
When I work with clients to design their space, we spend a lot of time together working on the function first. In those meetings, I really start to get a sense of the style that my clients are leaning towards. Some common words used may be:
- contemporary
- modern
- traditional
- minimalist
- industrial
- mid-century modern
- transitional
Once the style is determined, we can start to look at choices.
Finish
I am a strong believer that a finish plays a huge role in the look you are going for. Here is the same faucet in four different finishes from Delta.
Is there a finish above that fits better with a contemporary feel vs an industrial feel? You bet there is!
Mixing
I'm a huge fan of mixing brands IF it means we get the look and feel we are going for.
Sink Faucet for the Main Bathroom
This faucet falls in the modern category (which my client was looking for). Right off the start, it was mentioned that this faucet above was too contemporary and too 'chunky'.
My client loved that this faucet had a modern feel to it, yet the handle had a curve to it making it feel a bit more feminine. This was the winner!
Shower Valve
The single-faucet Hansgrohe faucet was the faucet that my client really liked (shown above). When we started to look at shower valves, she didn't like what Hansgrohe had to offer in the same line for the shower.
My client wanted that modern look. Riobel offered a great choice.
Shower Faucet
We also decided on going with the shower rail that Riobel had to offer.
Again, a more modern feel without feeling too boxy and large.
Mixing fixture brands
As you can see, we will be using a Hansgrohe faucet and Riobel shower valve and shower faucet - all with a Chrome finish. Both of the handles have a little bit of a 'flair' to them and my client loves the way they work nicely with each other.
Mixing fixture brands
One word of caution
As you can see, we are going to be mixing fixture brands in the upcoming bathroom renovation. As you also know, we are going to be using Chrome as our finish. Chrome is a good finish to mix and match brands because there really isn't a lot of difference between the brands. Matte black is also a pretty easy finish to mix and match brands. There are finishes where they may not be as easy to mix and match My word of caution to you is that you ensure the finish from both brands is similar (if not identical). Take a peek at the image below.While the Brizo faucet finished with Luxe Nickel and Polished Chrome is close to the finish that Delta offers (Stainless), they really are a lot different when you see them in person. I would be very hesitant to mix Brizo and Delta in the same space if my clients were going for a softer finish on their fixtures.Mixing fixture brands in a bathroom can be a great way to ensure that every faucet, valve and trim kit you are going to use fits perfectly with the design you are hoping to achieve. Don't be afraid to step out of the 'collections' to curate the perfect space!