This 15-Minute DIY Tip Makes Your Bathroom Look 3x More Luxe

There’s just something about shiny brass that makes hardware, pulls, and plumbing look so much more chic. But replacing all the finishes in a bathroom or kitchen with high-end brass options just for the aesthetic isn’t very budget-friendly. Luckily one Instagram user shared how she got the brass look for so much less (and in just a few minutes, too!).

“Even my plumbing needs to fit the vibe,” Instagram user Lisa Lariccia wrote in a recent caption, highlighting a DIY solution in her bathroom. “This project took me 15 minutes & it made such a difference. Even your plumbing shouldn’t be mediocre.”

Using a bit of gold gilding paint, Lisa transformed her chrome plumbing to that coveted antique-inspired brass finish, and what was once a fixture that would easily fly under the radar is now a glitzy piece of bathroom jewelry.

“This is SO EXTRA … and I’m doing it ASAP!” one person commented on Lisa’s post. Another said, “I gasped. I forget I have adult free will.” And someone else said it best, adding, “Everything just looks better in gold.”

Lisa picked up a jar of the Craftsmart Premium Gilding Paint from Michaels, which is an in-store only item (you can buy online and pick it up at your nearest Michaels store). The paint comes in brass, gold, and silver finishes, and can be used on a variety of different surfaces, ranging from smooth metals to ceramic pots.

You can also use Rub ‘n Buff in Antique Gold to get a similar finish. This product is actually wax-based, so a little of it goes a long way. And depending on how much shine you want, just buff the surface either a lot (or a little!) to control the luster.

In just a few minutes, that boring chrome finish will have a brassy new look that better fits into your vintage or antique aesthetic — or match your warm colors and wood tones. As Lisa said, even your plumbing should “fit the vibe!”