There’s something so gorgeous about the look of mixed metals in a home. No matter the space, the combination of color, texture, and finish instantly elevates the overall vibe. That being said, mixing metal finishes is not easy.
Mixing metal finishes can feel a bit intimidating, especially if you’re worried about getting the balance right. But with a few guidelines, you can create a space that feels cohesive and stylish without being overly matchy-matchy.
Today on the blog, I want to share my practical tips for mixing metal finishes. With a little bit of guidance, you can elevate any space by using metals for that added touch of luxury.
How To Mix Metal Finishes: 4 Easy Steps
- Understand the basics of metal finishes
- Choose a dominant metal finish
- Mix warm and cool metal tones
- Consider lighting when choosing your finishes
The Basics of Metal Finishes
Before you start mixing metals, it’s important to understand what you’re working with. Metal finishes come in a variety of types, each with its own look and feel. A lot of the fun in mixing metals comes from choosing which finishes feel the best in your space.
Common metal finishes to use are:
- Brass: A warm, golden tone that adds a touch of vintage charm or luxury, depending on the finish (polished or aged).
- Chrome: A cool, shiny finish that’s very reflective and modern. It’s great for a clean, contemporary look.
- Nickel: Similar to chrome but with a slightly warmer tone. Satin nickel is a popular choice for a more subdued, less reflective finish.
- Bronze: Often seen in darker, aged finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, which can add depth and a sense of history to a space.
- Copper: Another warm finish, copper is rich and inviting, often associated with a rustic or industrial vibe.
These finishes can vary widely, so it’s important to decide what effect you want to achieve. If you like a vintage look, matte or brushed finishes have a more subdued, understated quality. On the other hand, polished finishes reflect more light and can make a space feel brighter. I love and use all types of finishes in my home, but I try to use a balance of both to achieve an elevated vibe in the space.
Choose a Dominant Metal Finish
When mixing metals, it’s a good idea to choose one dominant finish to anchor your design. This doesn’t mean every metal in the room needs to match, but having a primary metal helps create a sense of cohesion.
Start by considering the existing elements in your room. If your kitchen already has stainless steel appliances, you might choose stainless steel or brushed nickel as your dominant finish. Similarly, if your living room has a brass chandelier, that could be your starting point.
Your dominant metal will be the one you use most frequently in the space. Then, you can introduce other metals in smaller doses through accessories or accent pieces for a cohesive look.
Mix Warm and Cool Metal Tones
Mixing warm and cool metals is a great way to add depth and interest to your space. Warm metals like brass, copper, and gold have a yellow or reddish undertone, while cool metals like chrome, nickel, and silver have a blue or grayish undertone.
When combining warm and cool metals, balance is key. A good approach is to use the dominant metal (whether warm or cool) on larger elements and sprinkle in the opposite tone in smaller amounts. For example, in our Monarch Revival Kitchen, we had stainless steel appliances (cool), and I added brass cabinet knobs (warm) for a bit of contrast.
You can also play with the finishes within each tone. A polished brass fixture will have a different feel from an antique brass one, just as brushed nickel differs from polished chrome. Mixing these subtle variations can make your space feel more dynamic.
Metal Finishes and Lighting
Lighting plays a crucial role in how metal finishes look in a space. Metals reflect light differently, affecting the overall ambiance of a room. For example, polished metals like chrome or brass reflect more light, making a space feel brighter and more open. Matte or brushed finishes, on the other hand, absorb more light, creating a warmer, more intimate atmosphere.
It’s also worth noting that the type of light—natural vs. artificial, warm vs. cool—can impact how your metal finishes look. A metal that looks great in daylight might have a different effect under artificial light, so consider testing your finishes under different lighting conditions.
When choosing light fixtures specifically, consider how they interact with the other metals in the room. A brass chandelier can warm up a space with cooler-toned metal accents, while a chrome fixture can add a modern edge to a room dominated by warmer metals. I always prefer a warmer-toned finish to help bring a sense of comfort into the space, but it’s up to your design preference.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Mixing Metals
Mixing metals can elevate your home’s design, but it’s easy to make mistakes if you’re not careful. I’ve seen (and done) all of these mistakes at some point when designing a space and now try my best to avoid them.
Four mistakes to avoid when mixing metals:
- Overdoing It: While mixing metals can create visual interest, using too many different finishes can make a space feel chaotic. Stick to the rule of three and be selective about where and how you introduce each metal.
- Ignoring the Room’s Overall Style: Your metal choices should complement the overall style of the room. For example, if you’re going for a sleek, modern look, too much warm, aged metal might feel out of place. On the flip side, a traditional space might feel off-balance with too many shiny, modern metals.
- Forgetting About Scale and Proportion: Larger elements like light fixtures and furniture legs will have a bigger impact than smaller accents like drawer pulls or picture frames. Make sure your metal choices are proportional to their visual weight in the room.
- Not Testing Finishes Together: It’s important to see how different metals look together before committing. Gather samples and test them in the actual room under different lighting conditions to ensure they work well together.
Mixing Metal Finishes Is All About Experimenting
Mixing metal finishes in your home is all about trying things out to see what works well together. Remember, the goal is to complement your home’s style and features while adding depth and interest. By sticking to these tips as much as you can (especially in the initial stages), you can create a curated look that makes your home feel really special.
Do you have any tips for mixing metal finishes in your home? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest on the blog, check out my recent posts:
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