The Finish Revolution
Five years ago, 80% of orders were polished chrome. Today, under 40%. The industry is experiencing the most dramatic shift in finish preferences in decades.
Matte Black: The New Default
Most-requested finish in Australia, North America and Northern Europe. Works with every material, hides fingerprints, photographs beautifully on social media.
Brushed Gold & Satin Brass
Grown 300% since 2022. PVD-coated gold finishes offer the look of real gold with stainless steel durability.
Gun Metal & Graphite
Dark anthracite is emerging as a sophisticated middle ground between chrome and black.
The trend is clear: customers want hardware that makes a design statement, not hardware that blends into the background.
What’s Fading
Polished chrome is becoming a “safe” choice. Polished gold (shiny, not brushed) has declined significantly — the market prefers softer, more textured metallic finishes.
Implications for Buyers
Stock at least four finishes: polished chrome, matte black, brushed nickel and brushed gold. These cover 85%+ of current demand across all regions.
