My opinion is that it should all match. You'll get different opinions, I'm sure. In such a small space, I like continuity.

All my bathrooms have either an overhead light or a vanity/sconce light(s), not both, since none of them are large enough to justify both.

I would mix shiny and matte finishes of the same metal, though!

IMO it really depends upon individual situations. Proximity weighs in, too. Of course, all the same finishes is fine; but that does not mean mixing isn't to be done, just that it needs to be done thoughtfully. A mix can draw attention to what you want to be focal points and can make a room be more interesting visually.

In our guest bath, all of the finishes are brushed nickel, except the TP holder. But the TP holder is attached to the side of a dark wood vanity, and I did not want to draw attention to it. The antique bronze blended in perfectly, yet does not look out of place because it is visually an extension of the vanity. Along those lines, shower curtain rods, shower door handles and toilet levers are often not a design feature you want to accent, so I would use what would make them visually less noticeable.

Ceiling lighting and sconces generally are the same finish, but I believe you can successful pull off an outstanding antique bronze chandelier, for example, by having utilitarian sconces and faucet fixtures in a nickel finish. Items on the same impact level, such as faucets and towel bars, I would usually try to keep the same finish. If the faucets are the focal, they could be one finish and the balance of the other items in the room be something else.

As for proximity, I believe all the finishes inside the shower can match, but be different than the finishes in other areas of the room, IF there is a reason/point of doing so. A shower head in one finish and the shower knobs in another would be trickier to pull off but may work if the finish of the knobs blended with the tile so the shower head becomes a focal point.

Some finishes mix better than others. And the design style of the features in the mix matter. As does the backdrop, as mentioned above.

Thanks for the great responses and good information! I appreciate it. :)

Carol

I typically use light fixtures in oil rubbed bronze and sink and shower fixtures in nickel. As for hardware I go either way. I think it is a matter of preference. I see designers use different finishes all of the time. Just my opinion.