The polished nickel and chrome finishes from Restoration Hardware (RH) both offer a brilliant metallic shine, but they differ significantly in color tone, durability, and overall style. RH's Polished Nickel has a warm, slightly yellowish undertone that provides a softer, classic look, while their Chrome finish features a cool, blue-toned, mirror-like polish that suits modern aesthetics.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right finish for your faucets, cabinet pulls, and lighting.
RH Polished Nickel Finish
Restoration Hardware's Polished Nickel is a premium finish known for its sophisticated warmth and timeless elegance. Made by plating nickel over a solid brass or zinc core, it offers a rich, mutable luster that subtly changes with the light. This finish is a favorite in traditional and transitional designs for its ability to add a layer of classic character.
- What it is: A durable metal finish with a warm, silvery-yellow hue that sits comfortably between silver and gold tones.
- Key features: Smooth, reflective surface with a warm undertone. Develops a slight patina over time, which adds to its classic charm.
- Price: A premium option, typically priced similarly to chrome within RH's collections. Fixtures can range from $200 to over $600.
- Style: Ideal for traditional, transitional, luxury vintage, and farmhouse aesthetics.
- Materials/Construction: A high-quality layer of nickel plated over a solid brass or zinc base, ensuring heft and durability.
- Pros: Provides a rich, warm glow that feels luxurious. More subtle than chrome. Versatile enough to mix with both warm and cool color palettes. Its patina can be a desirable feature for a lived-in, classic look.
- Cons: Requires more maintenance to prevent water spots and fingerprints. It can naturally develop a patina, which may require occasional polishing if you prefer the original bright finish. Softer than chrome and can be more susceptible to scratches over time.
The Polished Nickel finish excels in spaces that call for a warm, elegant, and timeless metallic that feels more custom and less stark than chrome.
Shop this finish: rh.com/us/en/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod19710321
RH Chrome Finish
Chrome is a highly popular finish celebrated for its brilliant shine and exceptional durability. The RH Chrome finish is crafted to provide a crisp, mirror-like reflection with cool, slightly blue undertones. It's a standard-bearer for modern and contemporary design, chosen for its clean appearance and low-maintenance properties.
- What it is: A bright, mirror-like finish created by plating chromium over a metal base.
- Key features: Extremely reflective surface, cool blue undertones, tarnish-resistant, and highly durable.
- Price: Priced comparably to Polished Nickel within the RH catalog, reflecting its high-quality construction.
- Style: Perfect for modern, contemporary, minimalist, and Art Deco interiors.
- Materials/Construction: A tough layer of chromium is electroplated onto a solid brass or zinc base, creating a hard-wearing and non-porous surface.
- Pros: Very easy to clean and maintain. Its hard surface is resistant to scratches, corrosion, and tarnishing. Bright, clean look complements modern fixtures and white tones beautifully. It's easy to match with fixtures from other brands.
- Cons: Shows fingerprints, water spots, and smudges easily. The highly reflective surface can sometimes create a cold or sterile feel in more traditional or warm-toned spaces. Its cool undertones can clash with very warm color palettes.
This finish is best for those who want a bright, clean, and modern look that is easy to care for, especially in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Shop this finish: rh.com/us/en/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod19710321
Polished Nickel vs. Chrome Comparison
Color & Luster
The most immediate difference is the color. Polished Nickel casts a warm, yellowish, almost champagne-like glow. Its reflection is softer and deeper, adding a sense of classic luxury. In different lighting, it can appear almost silver or take on a distinctly warm hue.
Chrome, in contrast, is consistently bright and cool, with slight blue undertones that provide a stark, mirror-like reflection. Its luster is brilliant and uniform, creating a crisp and sanitary look. This makes it an excellent choice for a clean, modern aesthetic where sharpness is preferred over warmth.
Durability & Maintenance
When it comes to durability, chrome is the clear winner. The chromium plating process creates an exceptionally hard surface that is highly resistant to scratches and corrosion. It doesn't tarnish and is one of the easiest finishes to clean - a simple wipe with a soft cloth removes most water spots and smudges.
Polished Nickel is a softer metal and can be more prone to fine scratches over time. As a "living finish," it can also develop a subtle patina with exposure to air and moisture, which some people love for its vintage character. To maintain its original shine, it requires regular polishing and diligent wiping to prevent water spots.
Style & Versatility
Polished Nickel’s warm undertones make it incredibly versatile. It pairs beautifully with traditional elements like marble countertops, classic cabinetry, and warm wood tones. It can also bridge the gap between cool "silver" tones (like stainless steel) and warm "gold" tones (like brass), making it an excellent choice for mixed-metal designs.
Chrome is the go-to for a dedicated modern theme. Its sleek, clinical shine is perfectly at home in minimalist bathrooms, contemporary kitchens with high-gloss cabinets, and interiors with an industrial or Art Deco influence. While less versatile in traditional settings, it's unmatched in creating a sharp, cutting-edge look.
Price & Value
Within the Restoration Hardware catalog, both Polished Nickel and Chrome are considered premium finishes and are often priced either identically or very closely. The value proposition, therefore, comes down to personal preference for aesthetics and maintenance. Chrome may offer slightly better practical value due to its superior durability and ease of care, making it a "fit and forget" option. Polished Nickel provides aesthetic value for those seeking a specific warm, classic, and high-end designer look.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both RH hardware options excel in quality and style, but they are built for different design goals and lifestyles.
Choose the Polished Nickel if:
- You want a warm, sophisticated finish that feels timeless and luxurious.
- Your design style is traditional, transitional, or modern farmhouse.
- You appreciate the character of a finish that may develop a subtle patina over time.
- You want to mix metals, as its warmth pairs well with both brass and steel.
Choose the Chrome if:
- You prioritize low maintenance and high durability in a busy kitchen or bathroom.
- Your home aesthetic is modern, minimalist, contemporary, or industrial.
- You love a bright, crisp, mirror-like shine that feels clean and sleek.
- You want to easily match your hardware to standard plumbing fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between RH Polished Nickel and Chrome?
The main difference is color tone. Polished Nickel has a warm, yellow undertone that gives it a classic, softer look. Chrome has a cool, blue undertone, resulting in a bright, modern, mirror-like finish.
Which finish is more expensive at Restoration Hardware?
At Restoration Hardware, Polished Nickel and Chrome are premium finishes that are typically priced very similarly. Any price difference within a specific product line is usually minimal.
Does Polished Nickel tarnish?
Polished Nickel is a living finish and can develop a warm, cloudy patina over time, especially when exposed to moisture. Many people appreciate this aging process for its classic appeal, but it can be restored to its original shine with gentle metal polish.
Is Chrome or Polished Nickel better for a bathroom?
Both are excellent choices. Chrome is generally more practical due to its superior durability and resistance to water spots and tarnish, making it a low-maintenance option for a high-traffic bathroom. Polished Nickel offers a warmer, more decorative look but will require more frequent wiping to stay spot-free.
How do you clean RH Polished Nickel hardware?
Clean it with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap. Avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. To restore its shine and remove any developing patina, you can use a high-quality polish formulated specifically for nickel.
How do you clean RH Chrome hardware?
Chrome is very easy to clean. Simply wipe it with a soft cloth and a solution of water and mild soap or a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. A dry microfiber cloth can be used to buff it to a streak-free shine.
Can you mix Polished Nickel and Chrome in the same room?
Yes, but it should be done thoughtfully. Because their undertones are so different (warm vs. cool), mixing them can be jarring if not balanced. A common approach is to use one finish for plumbing fixtures (like chrome faucets) and another for decorative elements (like polished nickel lighting or cabinet hardware).
Which finish looks more high-end?
Both finishes from a luxury brand like RH project a high-end image. The perception often depends on the design style. Polished Nickel is frequently associated with bespoke, designer, and classic luxury spaces. Chrome is associated with sleek, modern luxury and architectural design.
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