Brushed Nickel

Most people have realized by now what a great thing ceiling fans are.  Not only do they move air around enough to cool off an entire room, but they also act as a beautiful light fixture.  While years ago many homes had elaborate chandeliers to light up a kitchen or dining room, these days the majority of people have replaced it with a nice ceiling fan instead.  Having a ceiling fan is way, way nicer than having floor fans placed around room.  There are lots of choices when it comes to picking a nice ceiling fan, and for this article we are going to focus on one type, the brushed nickel ceiling fan.  Let’s take a closer look at the types, prices, and places that you can get them.

Types of Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fans

The term brushed nickel is used to describe the way the nickel plated surface is finished.  Most ceiling fans and other home accessories are not made of solid nickel.  They are usually made out of another metal, such as brass, and then plated with nickel.  To get the brushed surface, manufactures use an abrasive such as sand paper to “brush” the metal, giving it a neat but scratched up look.  Besides ceiling fans, you can get brushed nickel bathroom lighting, a brushed nickel towel bar, or a brushed nickel soap dispenser for your kitchen or bathroom.

The majority of ceiling fans have blades that are made out of wood, although you can get ones that use metal ones.  The reason is because metal blades tend to appear more industrial, and wooden ceiling fan blades usually look better in the home.  Brushed nickel ceiling fans can vary by the number of blades as well as the type of lights used.  The majority of fans will have 5 blades, although some of them have 4 and a few only have 3.  In terms of fan power, it doesn’t matter a whole lot how many blades it has.  It is mostly a matter of appearance.

Since the blades are usually made out of wood, that means the fan base is the part that is made out of brushed nickel.  This is a great choice, since brushed nickel doesn’t reflect as much light as other metals that don’t have that brushed surface.  This is the reason why this type of metal is used in other brightly lighted areas, like a brushed nickel mirror for example.   Some fans come with multiple lights coming off of them, and others just have a single light under frosted glass.  Most companies that sell these ceiling fans have hundreds of choices, so the best thing to do is take a look for yourself and see which styles you like.

Prices of Brushed Nickel Ceiling Fans

One of the reasons why ceiling fans have become so popular is because some of them are REALLY inexpensive.  When I say inexpensive, I mean it.  You can get this Hampton Bay brushed nickel ceiling fan for only $20!  You can’t even buy a good ceiling light for this price usually, but you can get the light AND the fan for this low amount.  That is about as low as you can get though, and prices get higher from here, along with the quality of the fans.  Another popular brand is Hunter.  They have hundreds of fans to choose from and the Hunter ceiling fan brushed nickel type has plenty of styles to choose from, starting in price from about $75 and up.  Since there are so many variables and choices, it is a great idea to take a look at the ceiling fans available on the internet to get a good idea of what styles you like.  This way, even if you end up going to a store to buy one, at least you will have a good idea of the prices and choices so that you don’t end up buying something that you regret later.

Click Here to See Hundreds of Ceiling Fans From All Different Companies at Amazon.com.

One of the good things about getting a  quality ceiling fan is that many of them have reversible blades.  What this means is that the 2 sides of the blades are different colors.  Most of them are white on one side and a natural wood color on they other.  This is great, since the other side is hidden from view, and you can change the look anytime you want to.  The metal base of your fan can match the brushed nickel faucet on your kitchen sink or the brushed nickel knobs on the counters.

While there are certainly no shortage of knobs out there to choose from, this article is going to focus on one particular kind of them:  brushed nickel knobs.  Why choose this type, you might ask?  The answer is because brushed nickel is one of the best looking, wear resistant types of knobs that you can get.  A brushed nickel knob comes in a few types.  Let’s explore them here.

Types of Brushed Nickel Knobs

Brushed nickel knobs come in two basic types:  as large door knobs and as cabinet and drawer knobs and handles.  These are the two main places you will see them.  While a doorknob needs to be mobile because they need to be twisted when opening doors, cabinet handles need to be securely attached to the cabinet panels, either in the kitchen or the bathroom.

A brushed nickel door knob is usually round in shape because of their function.  Although most of them are round, there are styles though which resemble levers – These are common mounted on many modern front doors and patio doors today.  The round ones are the most common for interior home doors and minor entranceway doors – such as the entrance to the laundry room or the garage.  The fancy brushed nickel handles are usually only needed on one or maybe two doors, and the rest of the doors can have the ordinary round type.

One of the most popular types of door knobs these days combines the look of brushed nickel with a beautiful crystal bulb.  The part of the knob that attaches to the door itself is the nickel part, and the rest is made out of glass or crystal.  These brushed nickel door knobs usually command a premium price of around $45 and up for each knob.  If you just want a basic door knob without the fancy crystal, you only need to pay about $15 each.

Brushed nickel door knobs are often used for the key-less entry doors in most hotels.  While it may swing open with the swipe of a card, a strong knob is always there to pull the door open.  The reason why this type of metal appeals to many people is because it has a unique, brushed surface while retaining its shiny, silver-colored properties.

Brushed Nickel Cabinet Knobs and Pulls

While door knobs are usually only one shape, cabinet door knobs and pulls are different.  There is a lot more room for unique shapes and styles in this area, since you don’t need to twist the knobs to open the door or drawer.  While you could theoretically choose any shape knob that you want, the most common of all designs are still the round ball or flat styles.  Other popular shapes are square and triangular, and even fancy four leaf clover brushed nickel cabinet knobs can be found with a little searching online.  As far as drawers go, some people prefer handles to knobs.  While you can put brushed nickel drawer knobs on any drawer in the kitchen or bathroom, for larger drawers, a handle is a lot easier to pull open than a small round knob.  The good thing about brushed nickel drawer pulls and knobs is that they are very reasonably priced, about the same as any other metal knob.  You can get ones for as little as $1 each, and there are many cool and unique styles to choose from.

Many people love the look of brushed nickel in the bathroom because this is one room that tends to look good with shiny features.  When designing a new bathroom, you can match up all of your accessories so they look good with one another.  Besides knobs and handles, you can get a brushed nickel towel bar, a brushed nickel mirror, and even brushed nickel bathroom lighting fixtures.  If you choose an old-fashioned style cabinet knob, you can match it up with a brushed nickel faucet of the same style.

Contemporary pieces for the home and other establishments undergo incessant changes in style as time progresses.  Product designers are pretty much loaded with ideas and are constantly coming up with new concepts for the home.  Once they come up with a new material style that looks good, such as brushed nickel, the next step is to design home accessories that utilize it.  These days, you can get anything from a brushed nickel soap dispenser to a ceiling fan.

The bathroom is a very unique room in the house, and because of this, has special lighting needs.  What works for other parts of the home usually isn’t very good for the bathroom, so it is necessary to think about your choice of bathroom lighting as a separate unit from the rest of the house altogether.  Before you choose the type of lights that you want, you have to pick a look and material that you like.  One of the most popular choices these days is brushed nickel bathroom lighting.  Let’s take a look at why this is so popular, what choices are available, and the prices of some of the most commonly used lights.

Why Choose Brushed Nickel Bathroom Lights?

If you are wondering why you might want to go with a brushed nickel look in your bathroom, here is a good reason:

Many people like brushed nickel because it works very well with the brightness of the lights.  The properties of the nickel-plated surface are still shiny, but because of the roughed-up way it is produced, brushed nickel lights don’t have as much glare as other similar metal lights.  This is important, since the bathroom lights tend to be very bright, and the last thing you want is to be blinded by the reflection.  Another thing that you might want to think about is how the other pieces of your bathroom will interact with your light.  If you are designing a new bathroom, you might want to choose the same material for multiple bathroom accessories.  You can get a brushed nickel mirror, a brushed nickel faucet for both the tub and the sink, and a brushed nickel towel bar.  Choosing the same style and look for all of these products is a great way to make your bathroom look fantastic and well planned out.

Brushed Nickel Bathroom Light Varieties

Most bathrooms have at least two lights in them.  The first one is in the middle of the ceiling. If your bathroom is equipped with an exhaust fan, you can get a brushed nickel bathroom light and fan combo, which will both light up the room and suck out the damp air and odors.  If you are replacing a lamp that is already in place, make sure you know if you have a vent or not.  If you currently don’t have a fan, you can either just get a new light fixture or you can install an exhaust vent and purchase a light/fan combo.  Take a look here for information on how to do this job yourself if you are feeling up to it.

You usually have a choice of a few different models of brushed nickel bathroom light fixture types, with the majority being either round or square.  In addition to shape, you can choose between frosted glass and normal glass.  Frosted glass lights won’t be as bright, but the glare won’t be as intense either.  You can make up for this by getting a higher watt bulb.

The other type of bathroom lights are the vanity type.  The bathroom light fixtures brushed nickel vanity lights are normally mounted on the wall above the mirror, and come in too many styles to list.  There are many variations in shape, type of glass, and number of bulbs.  Some have the old fashioned look, and others a sleek and modern appearance.  Before you go out shopping, the best thing to do is to take a look at some of the ones available on the internet to get a feeling for what you like best.  This way, you have the advantage of knowing prices before you head out to the store, and also knowing which style of brushed nickel bathroom lighting you like best.

Soap dispensers are essential kitchen accessories.  Their most important function is providing a means to neatly wash hands while people use the kitchen.  Soap is as important to the sink as oil is to deep frying, and there are many different ways that you can keep soap on the sink.  Although many people just place a bar of soap on top of the sink, this more often than not results in either the soap slipping off into the sink, or making a white and gooey mess.  For this reason, a soap dispenser is a much better choice.

In recent years, soap dispensers have evolved to look a bit better.  A brushed nickel soap dispenser is one of the best new contemporary designs.  Brushed nickel has a great look, not too shiny, but not too dull either, retaining the natural silver look of nickel with a finely textured surface. These dispensers can be bought separately or as part of a sink assembly – faucet, spray and pump.  Getting a complete set is a good idea sometimes, since it will ensure your dispenser matches the other kitchen sink accessories.

Types and Prices of Brushed Nickel Soap Dispensers

Brushed nickel soap dispensers usually only have the brushed nickel finish at the pump part only.  Since they are deck mounted on top of the sink, the lower part is hidden from view as it fits right into a hole beside the faucet.  The lower portion is typically just a refillable plastic bottle that holds your liquid soap.  The part that is visible is the important piece.  Design ideas vary from model to model, but are all pretty similar.  Many different companies make these products, some being virtually unknown and others well established in the kitchen accessory area.  A brushed nickel kitchen soap dispenser can cost as little as $15 if you don’t care much about who made it.  On the other hand, if you want to stick with well-known brands, the Kohler soap dispenser brushed nickel product line costs between $60 to $80, depending on the model.

An important thing to note is that nearly all of these dipsensers can be used in combination with other identical ones.  Some people put two of them side by side and fill the second one with hand lotion.  Most sinks these days come with three pre-drilled holes, so there should be room to mount them.  They can also be mounted right on a countertop, if you pre-drill a hole through it.  You can also use these dispensers on the bathroom sink if you want.  A brushed nickel bathroom soap dispenser is usually exactly the same as those for the kitchen, and they can be used interchangeably.

In the case that your sink doesn’t have holes, you can still use a dispenser.  There are the traditional soap pumps that stand alone atop your kitchen sink in case it is not equipped with the provisions for deck mounted ones.  These are easily refillable since there are no parts hidden under the counter.  Nevertheless, the sunken dispensers are not that hard to refill either.  All you need to do is reach under the sink and unscrew it.  Your other option is to get a wall mount brushed nickel soap dispenser.  These can be just as nice as the flush mount ones, since they come with fancy glass or ceramic bottles that fit neatly into a wall mounted holder.

The brushed nickel line is becoming a hit in both contemporary kitchen and bathroom design.  When used with a brushed nickel faucet, they look really nice.   Finish off the bathroom with a brushed nickel mirror and a brushed nickel towel bar, and you will have a great looking room that looks perfectly coordinated.

Brushed nickel faucets are basic water spouts for use either in the kitchen or the bathroom. They are primarily composed of solid brass, the nickel being the exterior coating that is added for a great look. Unlike other types of faucets, whose chrome coating peels off over time, the properties of brushed nickel usually prevent this from happening. In addition, nickel is ideal for use in faucets, since the metal does an excellent job of resisting rust and corrosion. It seems like a natural choice for a location that is constantly in contact with water.

Manufacturers have come up with kitchen accessories that are – exaggerated as it may seem – to die for. They are the perfect package, having outstanding qualities inside out. From aesthetics to manipulation to maintenance, these water spouts were designed to increase people’s level of appreciation and diminish their problems in the kitchen or bath. Whether it is the kitchen or bathroom sink, these nickel faucets are becoming home favorites due to its edge in design. A brushed nickel faucet with the right curves and styles could make a room’s theme, especially when combined with other items that share the same look, such as a brushed nickel mirror or a brushed nickel towel bar.

Types of Brushed Nickel Faucets

Swan or goose neck types ooze with arresting appeal. A minimalist kitchen with a strikingly tall water spout commands attention. The curved, mobile body shows flexibility while transitioning between two sinks, which some kitchens have as normal. The smooth, lightly sanded finish ironically gives off a gleam of glamour. With properly matched knobs on one or both sides at the base area, it becomes a kitchen ensemble that exudes simple but eye catching artwork. Although once in a while you might see one of these mounted on the bathroom sink, a brushed nickel kitchen faucet is a lot more common.

The classic single handle faucet design remains a common favorite, with the handle sitting on top of the main water outlet. Among the many choices, a brushed nickel kitchen faucet is great if you prefer something just a bit different than the usual chrome or stainless steel, but don’t want to have a different color altogether. The handles come in many forms as well, from a simple single handle to a cross design, you will definitely find them in millions of homes across the globe.

Another choice is to get a faucet that looks old fashioned. Most of them are made out of either bronze or brass, but brushed nickel kitchen faucets with an old fashioned look exist as well. They look a bit like they would fit very well in an old school kitchen sink, but the reality is that they never go out of style since there are always people looking for an old fashioned look.

As for the bathroom fixtures, there a many great choices here as well. All of them have the same finished look, but the actual design and shape differs from model to model. The good thing about a brushed nickel bathroom faucet is that it doesn’t have to cost much more than the inexpensive chrome and stainless steel models. Whether you get a waterfall faucet, a normal basic spout, or something different altogether, you can find both cheap and expensive versions.

Prices of Brushed Nickel Faucets

As far as prices go, the amount you pay will largely be affected by the brand that makes the faucet. The more exclusive the brand, the higher the price will usually be. Some of the large, well known brands like Moen, Price Pfister, and Danze will carry models that range from very affordable and basic to luxurious and expensive. If you just like the brushed nickel look and want a basic model, you shouldn’t have to pay more than $100 for a kitchen faucet and $70 for a bathroom faucet. At the other end of the spectrum, prices soar well into the hundreds of dollars for faucets with new features from name-brand companies. For example, check out the brushed nickel single handle kitchen faucet with sprayer from Elkay featured in the products above.  This one costs $871.