Brass has become a go-to finish for anything from brassware to hardware, and it’s easy to see why. This warm metallic is both practical and eye-catching, making it a great choice for adding visual appeal to your home.
But the allure of this metal is having much more than just a moment, as Paul Illingworth, design manager at luxury kitchen tap company Abode, tells KBB journo Louise Nevin: “We have noted a rise in demand for warm metallic finishes, with brass becoming the most desirable metal in 2024. Bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary interior styles, brass, even in its raw state, has an ability to be paired with almost any material, such as marble and porcelain through to concrete and wood.”
Why brass?
Brass, which is primarily a mix of copper and zinc, has endured because it is an all-round winner. It is resistant to corrosion, strong, mouldable, hygienic, and gorgeous to look at – plus it’s recyclable. It’s also versatile when it comes to finishes as it can be polished, brushed, lacquered, or have a natural patina.
Good-to-know tips
Depending on where your brass is going, you might want to opt for a PVD product. This means the metal is coated in a thin layer of molecules that prevent any tarnishing. But choose your products carefully and check with the retailer how best to care for them.
Some brass finishes can be more susceptible to damage from chemicals or limescale than other metals. So, do your homework before splashing out. “With any brassware, the main advice is always to invest in quality,” says Nigel Palmer, head of communications marketing at luxury kitchen and bathroom company House of Rohl. “The bathroom is a harsh environment and the taps will get a lot of use. Quality ensures longevity.”
Aesthetically, the metal’s glowing, golden tones add instant warmth and can radically soften the appearance of a clinical-looking kitchen, or a less than cosy bedroom. In the bathroom, even tiny touches – brass taps, a towel rail or light fittings – look stunning adjacent to bold-coloured paint or vibrant wallpaper.
How to care for brass
High quality brass that isn’t lacquered is known as having a “living finish”. This means that its appearance will change over time, and it will acquire a worn or aged patina. If this is not to your individual taste, you don’t have to let your brass darken, you can simply use a brass cleaner to keep it polished and looking the way it did when you purchased it, then finish with a light coat of beeswax to slow oxidisation.
If you have invested in unlacquered brushed brass, you can use a special mildly abrasive cloth to maintain the appearance. Products that have been lacquered will not develop colour in this way and should remain as you saw them in the shop, but if they are poorly manufactured, their coating can eventually chip or peel and they will become patchy
So, as the love for brass has blossomed, why not go for gold and welcome it into every area of your home?
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