We Asked Experts: What Bathroom Fixture Brand Do You Prefer?

You can incorporate all the master bathroom ideas to make your space feel like a luxury oasis, but it may still not feel sumptuous if you don't supplement the fittings with the right fixtures. To illustrate, colorful sinks in distinct finishes are a stylish bathroom trend that will upgrade your space, but it won't have much of an impact if you don't pair it with the right faucet. Similarly, your freestanding bathtub will look less like a statement piece and more out of place if you don't complement it with a stylish showerhead. Sounds maddening, right? It doesn't have to be. The secret is in sticking with a dependable fixture brand and picking matching (or, at least, complementary) pieces from their line.

Wondering which companies you should go for? Lauren Lerner, the founder and principal designer of Living With Lolo, explained in her exclusive chat with House Digest that she prefers using fixtures from Delta, Brizo, and Kohler when upgrading a client's bathroom. When asked how she picks the right brand for each project, she said, "Budget is usually the first factor ... In the end, it comes down to matching the brand to what the client is trying to achieve in that specific bathroom." On the other hand, Artem Kropovinsky, the owner of Arsight, is a fan of Waterworks. He revealed in his exclusive interview with House Digest that he relies on, "Waterworks more than any other brand. When I start pulling a bathroom together, it's usually the first place I look." That being said, if budget is a constraint, he likes Kohler's Purist line, too, because it has a clean look and is easy to service.

Highlighting the reasons why fixtures from Delta and Brizo are her first picks, Lerner explained, "Delta and Brizo share the same valve platform, so the plumbing behind the wall is interchangeable even when the finish out front is different. Their finishes are matched across both lines too, so we can mix a Brizo shower system with a Delta tub filler in the same bathroom and nothing looks mismatched." This will also make it easier for you to flit between the two lines and cherry-pick faucets or showerheads that speak to your sense of style.

Further, our design expert added, "This coordination is rare between two separate brands and gives us flexibility when a client's budget shifts partway through a project." She mentioned that Delta is the more affordable of the two and is as functional as Brizo, which is known for its refined finish and detailed design. For her, Kohler comes into the picture when a client wants something specific (think tub, toilet, or fixture style) and she can't pull it from either Brizo or Delta. It's also a good option when someone appreciates choices and wants a more comprehensive lineup for a focal point in the bathroom, like a freestanding tub.

Shedding light on the pros of Waterworks, Kropovinsky mentioned the primary draw for him is the brand's quality. Moreover, "... the collections go deep enough that I can carry one line from the faucet down to the towel bar and robe hook." When asked to share his favorite, he picked their unlacquered brass line. "It starts out bright and mellows over time, so a brand-new bathroom ends up feeling like it's always been part of the house."

Though Lerner stands by her recommendations, she shared a few drawbacks of each of her top picks to give you a rounded picture. She noted, "Because Delta and Brizo are both owned by the same parent company, the finish and design language across the two can start to feel similar, so a client looking for a truly unique look sometimes needs to step outside this group entirely." A subsidiary of Masco Corporation, Delta is the flagship company, where they strive to produce trendy and innovative fixtures. Whereas, Brizo is a bit more luxurious and is fit for homeowners who don't want to compromise on style. That being said, "Kohler brings more design variety, but it doesn't share that same valve compatibility with Delta or Brizo," she concluded.

Similar to Lerner's picks, Waterworks isn't without its fair share of cons. Kropovinsky told us, "There is no getting around the price, and certain finishes come with long lead times. The bigger thing is that their brass and even their nickel are living finishes, so they change with use and can look uneven for a while, especially around the handles." Since this natural patina can be a bit problematic for certain people who want their fixtures to look good as new over time, he prefers being upfront and relaying this to the client. He also doesn't think this brand is the right fit for every bathroom. "In a primary bath or a powder room, especially in a brownstone or a prewar building, it's hard to beat," making it ideal for transforming your '70s bathroom from total eyesore to a spa heaven. But he advised passing on it for rentals or your kid's bathroom.