How to Pick the Right Material for Your Kitchen & Bathroom

Welcome to Vakkerlight. We believe that true luxury isn't just about how a fixture looks on the day you install it—it's about how it performs years down the line.

We’ve all been there. You see a stunning pendant light on Pinterest or Instagram. It’s textured, it’s trendy, and you think, "This is exactly what my kitchen island needs."

But pause for a second.

Six months from now, that beautiful fixture could turn into your worst nightmare. In the living room or bedroom, you can prioritize aesthetics. But in the Kitchen (the grease zone) and the Bathroom (the moisture zone), durability and maintenance are King.

Before you click "Add to Cart," read this guide. We’re breaking down the materials you should absolutely avoid—and the ones you will love for years to come.

The Kitchen Reality

Surviving the "Grease & Grime" Test

Even with a powerful range hood, airborne grease is inevitable. In open-concept kitchens, this grease mixes with dust to create a sticky, glue-like film. If you pick the wrong material, you aren't just buying a light; you're buying a cleaning nightmare.

🚫 The "Grease Magnets" (Avoid These):

• Fabrics & linen: Once oil stains seep into the fabric of a linen lampshade, they will oxidize and turn yellow. In this case, they cannot be wiped clean; you can only use a vacuum cleaner (but vacuuming cannot remove oil stains) or replace the lampshade directly.
• Unsealed Rattan or Raw Wood: The "Boho" look is trending, but porous materials act like sponges. They absorb cooking odors and grease. Do you really want a light that smells like last week's dinner?
• Intricate Crystal Chandeliers: Unless you have the budget for a professional cleaner, avoid these. Cleaning grease out of hundreds of tiny crystal facets is a weekend-long project you don’t want to do.

✅ The "Wipe-and-Go" Heroes (Buy These):

• Glass (Opal or Clear): Glass is the ultimate kitchen hero. Whether it’s hand-blown clear glass or milky opal glass, it is non-porous. A quick spray of Windex, and it looks brand new.
• Enamel & Glossy Metal: Perfect for that Farmhouse or Industrial look. The surface is baked on, making it hard, smooth, and impervious to oil.
• High-Quality Acrylic: Ideally suited for modern LED fixtures. Just make sure it’s high-grade acrylic that resists yellowing.

The Bathroom

Where Cheap Materials Go to Die

Bathrooms are torture chambers for metal. Between the steam from hot showers and the condensation on cold surfaces, your lights are constantly under attack. Rust isn't just ugly; it's a sign your fixture is failing.

🚫 The "Rust Traps" (Avoid These):

• Standard Iron: Iron wants to rust. In a humid bathroom, even painted iron can rust at the joints, screws, or weld points, leaving unsightly orange streaks.
• Cheap Plated Finishes: Beware of cheap "Gold" or "Chrome" look-alikes. In damp environments, poor-quality plating will pit (get little dots), peel, or flake off.
• Paper & Wood: Steam causes wood to expand and contract, leading to cracks. Paper shades can absorb moisture, sag, and potentially grow mold.

✅ The "Forever Finishes" (Buy These):

• Solid Brass: A premium choice. While it may patina over time, it will not rot or rust through.
• Marine-Grade Stainless Steel: If it works on a boat, it works in your shower.
• Polycarbonate (PC): Completely immune to water damage and impact.

The "Save-Your-Money" Checklist

Save this chart for your next renovation project:

The Best Time to Upgrade is Now

Great design isn't just about the "Wow" factor on Day 1; it's about the "Phew" factor on Day 1,000 when your lights still look perfect. By choosing the right materials—like solid brass or opal glass—you save yourself hours of cleaning and the heartbreak of replacing rusty fixtures.

Investing in premium, durable materials usually comes with a higher price tag. But not this week.

We want to make it easier for you to ditch the "rust traps" and secure the quality your home deserves.

🚀 The Vakkerlight Black Friday Countdown is ON!

From November 24th to November 30th, upgrade to "forever finishes" for less.

• Offer: Enjoy 20% OFF Sitewide
• Discount Code: BFWOW

Don't let this moment fade like a cheap finish. Shop now and lock in the best price of the year.

Ready to find the perfect light? Start browsing our curated collections below:

👉 Shop Durable Kitchen Lighting

👉 Shop Rust-Proof Bathroom Lighting