how to mix metals

Jul 18

At one point in time, it was common to choose one finish for everything in one room or even your entire house and stick to it. If you had antique brass, everything had to be antique brass, and we became scared to branch out or have metals clash. But designers’ attitude toward mixing metals has completely changed and in fact, it’s now encouraged to layer finishes to create a more interesting and curated look - like the design has evolved over time. In order to mix metals effectively and not go totally overboard, here are a few guidelines to follow:

Start by choosing the dominant finish:

Having the exact same finish on everything in a space can look one-dimensional and flat, but you also don’t want to go crazy and have everything in different finishes. So start by identifying the dominant metal that will carry the space. Try to select one that’s easy to match. For example, chrome is generally the same no matter the manufacturer whereas rubbed oil bronze can vary.

Photo cred: @studiomcgee

Opposites attract:

For your second metal, think opposites attract - the more different the tones are the more intentional it will look, like nickel and brass. If you decide to add a third metal (3 is the max), make sure there are enough finishes in the space to accommodate it. A good rule to follow is each type of metal should be seen in at least 2 places in the room.

Black is a neutral:

I’m a big believer in the fact that you can never go wrong with black, whether it’s clothes, color palettes, or finishes. Black metals will stand out against light woods or white cabinetry and the high contrast will give your space a modern look. So think of black as more of a neutral that can pair with almost any other metal.

Photo cred: @jhinteriordesign

Divide the room in half:

Especially in kitchens and bathrooms where there are a lot of places for finishes, think about dividing the room in half horizontally. Choose one finish for the top half and one for the bottom half.