How to Mix Metals in Your Home
With these 4 guidelines, you will be able to mix metals like a designer for your home’s main rooms. I mean, you can absolutely use these tips for every room.
Mixing metals is one of the latest trends in interior design to create exciting and extraordinary room designs.
It is also a dangerous trend. Because if you don’t do it right, it nearly always looks cheezy and feel like you accidentally choose different metals. I believe you don’t want that.
These are the fail-safe approaches if you want to do this trend right. Whatever your concern, you don’t need to worry about it now. Just focus on that; you will nail it.
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1. Decide a Primary Metal for Your Room
Like every other design decision (color palette or interior design style) we made to achieve cohesive room decor, you should choose one dominant element.
In this case, you need to decide on one metal for dominantly use in that room. The other metal finishes will be supportive of this dominant metal.
How many different metal finish should I choose?
If you are decorating a small room such as a small bedroom or want to mix metals in your bathroom, I recommend using 2 metal finishes.
More than mixing 2 metals will create chaos in small spaces if you are not an expert.
The two-third, one-third ratio is perfect for 2 different metals. Meaning one dominant metal represents two-thirds of the metal used in the room, and the supporting metal represents one-third.
In larger rooms like the living room or if you want to mix metals in your kitchen, you can use 3 or 4 different metals. No more than 4.
Using 4 different metals should only acceptable in open spaces, like if you have an open plan kitchen and living area.
If I use 3 different metals in one room, the dominant metal is roughly 50-60% of the metal in the room.
The other 2 metals can be used: they are balanced with each other(25%-25%), or one can be the second metal (35%), and the other will be the third metal (15%) in that room.
2. Combine Different Undertones
It does not only look good, but I would also harshly recommend that you mix warm and cool metals in the same room.
Let’s clear up the confusion of what is cool and what is warm metal:
Warm Metals: Gold, Copper, Rose Gold, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Brass.
Cool Metals: Silver, Chrome, Nickel, Steel, and Pewter.
There are also neutral colored metals, which is like neutral colors. They work well with all the cool and warm colors:
Neutral Metals: Iron, Gun Metal, and other black metals.
How can you quickly decide which undertone will look best in the room?
Well, it depends on the feeling you wanted to add in that room.
For example, you have a cool color scheme in your room. Do you want to balance or accentuate the color temperature of that room?
You can confidently use cool metals to accentuate an already cool color scheme.
On the contrary, you can use brass or gold to balanced the cold feeling in that room.
It is all about the overall look and feels you wanted to create. Isn’t it too easy?
3. How to Mix Metal Finishes
You can choose to mix finishes. I mean, you should combine them.
If you are not sure to mix different kinds of metals, this is the best way to add texture and visual interest, just like mixing metals.
When you use the same type of metal in the room, try to mix different finishes such as polish, matte, and hammered.
It will also be great to use different finishes when using a monochromatic color scheme and all the same undertones in your metals.
4. Use the Same Metals Throughout your House
Try to use the same 3-4 metals throughout your entire home for a more cohesive look.
If you live in a larger home, you can add another 1-2 metals or add different finishes.
Just like creating a whole house color scheme, create your metal palette, and use them properly.
If you do that, you are more likely to nail this trend of mixing metals in your home to look like a touch of a designer.
Now I believe you have clear all the questions about mixing metals by knowing the pain points you should be aware of. If not, comment below. I am more than happy to help.
Are you willing to try this trend of mixing metals? If so, what will be your metal combination?
Thank you for the article. I have a small kitchen. Cream cabinets, copper sink, and stove hood. Could I do a silver tin ceiling?
Thank you in advance.
Hey Melissa! I imagine you can do it. Bronze and silver can create a great contrast with each other. My main concern would be the finishes. It would be best to consider whether you want to use brushed or glossy.
Thank you. For your quick response. I’m not really sure which one would go best.
I feel you; it can be tough to be sure sometimes. But, if you have a chance, the best way to decide is to order a couple of samples before making a buy.
I am wondering if I can use brushed gold in my kitchen and chrome in my bathrooms?
Yes, you can use brushed gold in your kitchen and chrome in your bathrooms. It’s a common design choice that adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Loved the article! I am renovation my kitchen in which I have white glossy cabinets with dark grey cabinets with some black metal cabinets. All appliances are paneled in white except range and stacked ovens. Now I am stuck with hood and hardware decision. After reading this valuable design aesthetics, I am feeling to add gold hood and faucet and hardware. I have ceiling In design ed grid of wood. Can you please guide me?
Gold hardware and a hood can add elegance and warmth to your kitchen. Consider adding some gold accents but be mindful not to overdo it. As for the wood grid ceiling, it’s a unique and interesting feature that you can play up or down depending on your preference. If you want to highlight it, you can choose hardware and accessories that complement the wood tone. Alternatively, you can go for a contrasting color to make it stand out even more. Hope this helps!
I’m renovating a rental condo 950 square feet. Kitchen, den and dining open area and two bedrooms and two baths. I want to update all the door knobs, closet, bathroom, entry doors, etc. And outlet covers. I’d like to match it all because it’s so open and small. What do you recommend. I love satin brass, but is that a good pick
Satin brass is a beautiful finish that can add a touch of elegance to your condo. However, it may not be the best pick if you’re looking for a long-lasting finish. Satin brass can tarnish over time, especially in high-use areas like the kitchen and bathroom. You may want to consider a more durable finish like brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. These finishes can also provide a modern and stylish look to your condo.
I’m wanting to get a copper free standing bath to make a statement in our new bathroom but now struggling with which metal would look best for bath taps, shower, towel rail etc as to do all in copper would be too much. Can you help please
Hi there! I’d be happy to help you out with your dilemma. Choosing the right metal for bath taps, shower, towel rail, and other accessories can definitely be a difficult decision. But don’t worry, I’m here to offer some suggestions and advice. What are some of the other colors and materials that you’re incorporating into your bathroom design? That might help us narrow down the options and find the perfect complement to your copper bathtub.