Everything You Need to Know About Artos Finishes
A Deep Dive Into the Finishes We Offer
The finish is one of the most important design decisions in any bathroom. It affects the overall mood of the space, how easily your fixtures coordinate with other materials, and how the product will look after years of daily use.
At Artos, every finish is chosen with purpose. We do not add finishes simply because they are trendy. We look for finishes that are beautiful, practical, durable, and versatile enough to work across a wide range of bathroom designs.
From our original Chrome and Brushed Nickel finishes introduced when Artos launched in 2005, to newer additions like Matte Black, Satin Brass, Polished Nickel, and mixed finishes, our finish offering has grown alongside the design industry and the needs of our customers.
This guide explains what each finish looks like, how it is made, how it compares to other finishes, and why we offer it.
Quick Finish Comparison
| Finish | Look | Process | Best For | Durability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome | Bright, cool, mirror-like | Electroplated | Clean, modern, timeless bathrooms | Excellent |
| Brushed Nickel | Soft, warm silver with brushed texture | PVD | Versatile spaces, low-maintenance design | Excellent |
| Matte Black | Smooth, bold, non-reflective black | Powder coat | Modern, industrial, high-contrast bathrooms | Very good with proper care |
| Satin Brass | Warm, soft gold tone | PVD | Luxury, warmth, statement design | Excellent |
| Polished Nickel | Warm, reflective, classic shine | Electroplated | Traditional, transitional, high-end spaces | Excellent |
| Chrome / Matte Black | Bright chrome with black accents | Electroplated + powder coat | Modern contrast and two-tone design | Very good |
| Satin Brass / Matte Black | Warm brass with black accents | PVD + powder coat | Bold luxury and designer-led spaces | Very good |
| White | Clean, soft, minimal | Special order finish | Towel warmers only | Very good with proper care |
Which Artos Finish Is the Most Durable?
For daily bathroom use, Brushed Nickel and Satin Brass are among our most durable finishes because they are produced using PVD technology. PVD, or Physical Vapor Deposition, creates a very thin but extremely hard surface layer that bonds to the product in a vacuum chamber. This makes the finish highly resistant to wear, tarnishing, and corrosion when properly maintained.
Chrome is also one of the most proven and reliable finishes available. It has been used in plumbing for decades because it is durable, easy to clean, and highly resistant to moisture.
Matte Black and White finishes require a little more care. Powder-coated and specialty coated finishes are durable and beautiful, but because the finish is a coating over the surface, they can be more vulnerable to chips or damage from hard impacts, abrasive pads, or harsh cleaners.
In simple terms:
- Most durable overall: Brushed Nickel and Satin Brass
- Most proven and easiest to maintain: Chrome
- Best for hiding fingerprints and water spots: Brushed Nickel
- Most design-forward: Matte Black, Satin Brass, and mixed finishes
- Most classic luxury look: Polished Nickel
No finish is maintenance-free. Proper care is essential for keeping any finish looking its best.
Chrome
Bright. Clean. Timeless.
Chrome is one of the original Artos finishes and has been part of our offering since the company launched in 2005. It remains one of the most popular finishes in plumbing because it is clean, bright, durable, and easy to coordinate.
Chrome has a cool, mirror-like appearance. It reflects light beautifully, making it a strong choice for bathrooms that are modern, minimal, or crisp in design. It pairs especially well with white tile, marble, glass, polished stone, and cool-toned interiors.
How Chrome Is Made
Artos Chrome is an electroplated finish. During electroplating, the product is carefully prepared, polished, cleaned, and then plated with metal layers that create the final reflective surface.
The result is a smooth, bright finish with excellent resistance to moisture and everyday bathroom use.
Why We Offer Chrome
Chrome is a foundation finish. It is timeless, widely understood, and trusted by homeowners, designers, plumbers, and showrooms. It works in almost any bathroom style and remains one of the easiest finishes to match across different product categories.
Chrome is especially useful when a customer wants a finish that feels clean, simple, and long-lasting without becoming too trendy.
Things to Know
Chrome is highly reflective, which means it can show fingerprints and water spots more easily than brushed or satin finishes. The good news is that it is also one of the easiest finishes to clean. A soft cloth and mild soap are usually all that is needed.
Chrome is ideal for customers who want a bright, polished, classic bathroom finish.
Brushed Nickel
Soft. Versatile. Low Maintenance.
Brushed Nickel is also one of the original Artos finishes, offered since our launch in 2005. It has remained popular because of its warm, soft silver tone and its ability to work across many design styles.
Compared to Chrome, Brushed Nickel is less reflective and more subtle. It has a brushed texture that helps soften the look of the fixture and makes it easier to live with day to day.
How Brushed Nickel Is Made
Artos Brushed Nickel is a PVD finish. PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition. In this process, the product is placed in a vacuum chamber where the finish material is vaporized and bonded to the surface.
Before the PVD layer is applied, the surface is prepared with a brushed texture. This gives Brushed Nickel its soft directional grain and slightly warmer appearance.
Why We Offer Brushed Nickel
Brushed Nickel is one of the most versatile finishes we offer. It can feel modern, transitional, or classic depending on the surrounding design. It pairs well with natural stone, wood tones, warm whites, greys, and stainless-steel appliances.
It is also a practical choice for everyday use because the brushed texture helps hide fingerprints, minor water spots, and light wear better than highly polished finishes.
Things to Know
Brushed Nickel is a great choice for customers who want a finish that is durable, understated, and easy to coordinate.
It is less bold than Matte Black, less reflective than Chrome, and less warm than Satin Brass. That makes it one of the safest and most flexible choices for long-term design.
Matte Black
Bold. Modern. Architectural.
Matte Black was added to the Artos finish offering by popular request in 2018. As black hardware, lighting, and plumbing fixtures became more common in modern bathroom design, Matte Black became an important finish for customers who wanted contrast and definition.
Matte Black has a smooth, non-reflective surface. It creates strong lines and works especially well in modern, industrial, minimal, and high-contrast bathrooms.
How Matte Black Is Made
Artos Matte Black is a powder-coated finish. Powder coating is a dry finishing process where a fine powder is applied to the prepared metal surface and then cured with heat. Once cured, the powder forms a smooth, bonded coating.
This process creates a consistent matte appearance and allows for a rich black tone that feels clean and modern.
Why We Offer Matte Black
Matte Black gives designers and homeowners a way to create contrast. It can make a fixture stand out against light tile, white walls, marble, or soft neutral finishes. It also coordinates well with black shower frames, lighting, cabinet hardware, mirrors, and accessories.
Matte Black is especially effective when the goal is to make the plumbing fixtures part of the visual design rather than having them disappear into the background.
Things to Know
Matte Black is durable, but it should be cared for properly. Avoid abrasive pads, harsh chemicals, bleach, acidic cleaners, or anything that could scratch or chip the coating.
Matte Black can show soap residue or mineral buildup if it is not cleaned regularly, especially in hard-water areas. Wiping the fixture dry after use will help preserve the finish.
Matte Black is ideal for customers who want a bold, modern, designer-driven look.
Satin Brass
Warm. Refined. Luxurious.
Satin Brass was added to the Artos finish offering in 2020 and continues to expand throughout our collections. It was introduced as warm metallic finishes became increasingly important in luxury bathroom design.
Satin Brass offers warmth without being overly bright. It has a soft, brushed gold tone that feels refined rather than flashy. It pairs beautifully with natural stone, warm whites, soft neutrals, wood vanities, and darker contrast materials.
How Satin Brass Is Made
Artos Satin Brass is a PVD finish. Like Brushed Nickel, it is produced using Physical Vapor Deposition, where the finish layer is bonded to the product in a vacuum chamber.
The result is a warm metallic finish with excellent durability and resistance to tarnishing when properly maintained.
Why We Offer Satin Brass
Satin Brass gives customers a warmer alternative to Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Polished Nickel. It brings softness and luxury into the bathroom without the high shine of traditional polished brass.
It also works well in both modern and transitional spaces. In modern bathrooms, it adds warmth. In traditional spaces, it adds a fresh, updated feel.
Things to Know
Satin Brass is one of the most design-forward finishes we offer. It is ideal for customers who want warmth, luxury, and a premium look.
Because it is a warm metallic finish, customers should consider how it coordinates with cabinet hardware, lighting, mirrors, and other metal details in the room.
Polished Nickel
Classic. Warm. Elegant.
Polished Nickel has been expanding throughout the Artos collections since 2022. It offers a luxurious alternative to Chrome while still maintaining a bright, polished appearance.
At first glance, Polished Nickel and Chrome may look similar, but they have a different tone. Chrome is cooler and more mirror-like. Polished Nickel is warmer, softer, and slightly richer. It has a classic quality that works especially well in traditional and transitional bathrooms.
How Polished Nickel Is Made
Artos Polished Nickel is an electroplated finish. The product is prepared, polished, cleaned, and plated to create a smooth reflective surface.
The final appearance is bright and polished, but with a warmer undertone than Chrome.
Why We Offer Polished Nickel
Polished Nickel is for customers who want shine, but not the cool tone of Chrome. It feels elevated, traditional, and refined. It pairs beautifully with marble, warm whites, classic tile, darker vanities, and luxury bathroom interiors.
Polished Nickel is especially useful in spaces where Chrome feels too modern and Satin Brass feels too warm.
Things to Know
Like Chrome, Polished Nickel is reflective and can show fingerprints or water spots. Regular wiping with a soft cloth will help keep it looking its best.
Polished Nickel is ideal for customers who want a polished finish with warmth and classic character.
Chrome / Matte Black
Clean Contrast. Modern Detail.
Chrome / Matte Black is one of our mixed finishes, combining the brightness of Chrome with the contrast of Matte Black.
This finish is designed for bathrooms where the customer wants a modern look but does not want the fixture to be entirely black. The Chrome keeps the product feeling clean and timeless, while the Matte Black accents add definition and visual interest.
How Chrome / Matte Black Is Made
Chrome / Matte Black combines two finish processes. The Chrome elements are electroplated, while the Matte Black elements are powder coated.
This allows each part of the product to receive the finish process best suited to its final appearance.
Why We Offer Chrome / Matte Black
Mixed finishes give customers more flexibility. They allow a product to coordinate with multiple design elements in the room, such as chrome plumbing details and black lighting, mirrors, shower frames, or cabinet hardware.
Chrome / Matte Black is ideal for customers who want contrast without committing to an all-black fixture.
Things to Know
Because this finish includes Matte Black components, care should be taken to avoid abrasive cleaners or rough pads. Clean with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth.
Satin Brass / Matte Black
Warmth With Contrast.
Satin Brass / Matte Black combines the warmth of Satin Brass with the boldness of Matte Black. The result is a rich, designer-led finish combination that works especially well in dramatic, modern, or luxury bathrooms.
This finish creates contrast while still feeling warm and refined.
How Satin Brass / Matte Black Is Made
Satin Brass / Matte Black combines two finish processes. The Satin Brass elements are finished using PVD technology, while the Matte Black elements are powder coated.
This combination allows the brass-tone components to have the durability benefits of PVD while the black components maintain their smooth matte appearance.
Why We Offer Satin Brass / Matte Black
This finish was introduced for customers and designers who want something more distinctive than a single finish. It pairs well with warm stone, black accents, wood tones, and luxury bathroom materials.
Satin Brass / Matte Black is especially effective when the customer wants the fixture to become a design feature in the space.
Things to Know
This is a statement finish. Customers should consider how it will coordinate with other visible metals in the bathroom, including lighting, mirrors, cabinet hardware, shower frames, and accessories.
As with all Matte Black components, avoid abrasive cleaners and wipe dry regularly to help protect the finish.
White
Clean. Minimal. Soft.
White is available as a special order finish for select Artos towel warmers. It offers a clean, minimal appearance that works especially well in light, calm, and spa-inspired bathrooms.
Unlike metallic finishes, White is designed to feel soft and understated. It can help a towel warmer blend into the surrounding space, especially when installed against white tile, light walls, or soft neutral finishes.
How White Is Made
White is a specialty finish produced for towel warmers on a special order basis. The surface is prepared and finished to create a smooth, consistent white appearance.
Because White is a special order finish, availability, lead time, and compatibility may vary by product.
Why We Offer White
White gives customers a softer alternative to metallic towel warmer finishes. It is especially useful in bathrooms where the design goal is calm, lightness, and simplicity.
It can also be used to create a tone-on-tone look, especially in bathrooms with white tile, white vanities, or soft neutral palettes.
Things to Know
White is available for towel warmers only and is considered a special order finish.
White should be cleaned regularly to prevent visible buildup from soap, minerals, or residue. Avoid abrasive pads, harsh cleaners, bleach, or anything that could damage the surface.
White is ideal for customers who want a clean, minimal towel warmer finish rather than a metallic accent.
Finish Care
To keep any Artos finish looking its best, we recommend simple, regular care.
Use a soft cloth, mild soap, and warm water. After cleaning, rinse and dry the fixture with a clean cloth.
Avoid abrasive pads, steel wool, harsh chemicals, bleach, ammonia, acidic cleaners, and cleaners not intended for decorative plumbing finishes.
In hard-water areas, wiping fixtures dry after use can help reduce mineral buildup and water spotting.
Proper care is especially important for Matte Black, White, and mixed finishes with powder-coated or specialty coated components.
Choosing the Right Finish
Choose Chrome if you want:
A bright, clean, timeless finish that is easy to match and easy to maintain.
Choose Brushed Nickel if you want:
A soft, versatile, low-maintenance finish that hides fingerprints and water spots well.
Choose Matte Black if you want:
A bold, modern finish with strong contrast and architectural presence.
Choose Satin Brass if you want:
A warm, refined, luxury finish with excellent durability.
Choose Polished Nickel if you want:
A polished, classic finish with more warmth than Chrome.
Choose Chrome / Matte Black if you want:
A modern two-tone finish that combines brightness with contrast.
Choose Satin Brass / Matte Black if you want:
A bold designer finish that combines warmth, contrast, and luxury.
Choose White if you want:
A clean, minimal, soft finish for a towel warmer. White is available as a special order finish only.
Looking Ahead
Artos continues to monitor the design industry closely. As new finishes gain momentum and prove they have lasting value, we are excited to continue expanding our finish offering.
Our goal is not simply to follow trends. Our goal is to offer finishes that are beautiful, durable, practical, and relevant to the way customers are designing bathrooms today.
Every Artos finish is selected to help customers create a bathroom that feels considered, comfortable, and lasting.
