Polished chrome remains the workhorse of bathroom finishes: affordable, easy to match across brands, and simple to wipe down. In soft-water areas it can look new for a decade with nothing more than a microfibre cloth.

Brushed and matte finishes — nickel, black, brass — hide water spots far better, which is why busy family bathrooms love them. The trade-off is touch-up: a scratch on a living brass finish becomes part of the patina, while a chip on a matte-black coating will show the metal beneath.

Our rule of thumb: pick chrome for rentals and high-use cloakrooms, and a brushed finish for the bathroom you photograph. Whatever you choose, buy the mixer, shower and accessories from one range so the tones match under your own lighting.