Oil-Rubbed Bronze: What you need to Know About This Living Finish

If you’re in the process of renovating your kitchen or bathroom, consider oil-rubbed bronze fixtures to bring warmth and classic timelessness to the room. This dark, brownish-black finish simulates the look of aged bronze, created through chemical treatments. The finished product has a slightly slick surface, which gives the finish its name.

How to Use Oil-Rubbed Bronze Fixtures

You’ll find it most often in traditional décor. Think Tuscan farmhouse, vintage Victorian, or turn-of-the-century Craftsman. It also fits right in with Prairie and traditional Southwestern architecture.

The deep hues and shiny surface of oil-rubbed bronze pair well with lush gold, sage green, or terra cotta tones as well as light-colored marble and rich woods. It also works as a contrast to cool neutrals and other types of metal when you want to make a bold statement

Living With Oil-Rubbed Bronze Fixtures

One of the great features of oil-rubbed bronze is that it doesn’t show every little fingerprint like other finishes can. This makes it a great option for the busiest rooms in your home. Try it on faucets, soap dispensers, towel bars, toilet paper holders, and more.

No matter where you use it, oil-rubbed bronze makes a dramatic statement. Imagine the deep hue overlooking the kitchen sink or adorning a stark white clawfoot bathtub. Go all out and swap your plastic drainpipes and hoses with oil-rubbed bronze for charming Old World appeal.

Is a Living Finish Right for You?

Oil-rubbed bronze is what’s called a living finish. That means the surface will change over time as it interacts with oxygen in the air, soap, and natural oils on your hands. The result is a surface that develops a two-tone look with no two pieces exactly the same. You may see spots where the finish wears thin and allows underlying tones of rose, gold, or green to appear.

Although this definitely adds character and uniqueness to the space, it’s not the right finish for everyone — or anyone who prefers everything in the room to match perfectly. It also takes a little know-how to keep the finish shiny. You’ll have to skip harsh detergents and abrasive steel wool, which will scratch the surface. Hard water can create visible crusty spots or rings.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze vs. Other Finishes

When making the decision to install oil-rubbed bronze fixtures, you may find it helpful to compare the finish to other options.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze vs. Polished Chrome

Polished chrome has a shiny steel-gray finish that sharply contrasts with the deep hues of oil-rubbed bronze. Both are sleek and stylish, but polished chrome tends to cool a room, while oil-rubbed bronze warms it.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze vs. Brushed Nickel

Brushed nickel has a low-sheen gray finish that, like oil-rubbed bronze, does not easily show fingerprints and smudges. It lacks the soft, warm glow of oil-rubbed bronze, however.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze vs. Matte Black

Like oil-rubbed bronze, matte black adds a dramatic touch to a room. Both finishes can feel industrial or traditional, but oil-rubbed bronze tends to have a warmer feel.

Oil-Rubbed Bronze vs. Polished Brass

Polished brass has a shiny, gold sheen that shines brighter than oil-rubbed bronze. Both warm up the room, but polished brass will often be a bit flashier.

Discover the Difference of Oil-Rubbed Bronze at Kingston Brass

At Kingston Brass, we love the look of oil-rubbed bronze. We’ve put together an impressive selection of fixtures and accessories for bathrooms and kitchens. Shop our entire collection of oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and find the pieces that speak to you.