The X-ray diffraction method was applied to study the residual stresses in the surface layer of decorative electroplated coatings. Products of bath and door hardware, made of brass by hot stamping, were selected for analysis. They were "chromium plated" with Ni-Cr matte or bright finished, or with non-nickel alternative deposits. The texture of the coatings has been analyzed and the results show that it can be significant in some deposits. The residual stresses have been determined by the sin(2)psi method, and the results have been complemented with values calculated by a method of ideal orientations which takes into account the texture effect. Compressive stresses are observed of a magnitude dependent on the coating thickness or the surface finishing before electroplating.