Mixed metals – it’s now a common phrase in home design, and fortunately, there is a lot of good information available to homeowners who want to make design choices that will stand the test of time.
Think of all the different places in a home where metal finishes are found. From the front door (porch light fixtures, front door knob, porch railings) to the kitchen and bathrooms (cabinet hardware, major appliances, light fixtures, decor items, small appliances), to the bedrooms and living areas (ceiling fans, light fixtures, door and cabinet hardware), to the patio/deck area (furniture, exterior lighting, railings).
The consensus now among home design professionals is that it is absolutely okay to mix metals, and doing so gives your home personality. Here are some suggestions for choosing finishes for your new home (or for updating/refreshing your existing home).
- Be intentional and plan to include different metal finishes in your home, giving it a curated and collected look that is unique.
- Decide on the dominant metal in a space, and select one or two complementary metal finishes for other items. Generally, the complementary metal should appear in two other places in the room. For example, in a kitchen, you might go with brushed stainless major appliances such as refrigerator, range, and microwave, but opt for oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware. In this scenario, you might add a brushed gold in your light fixtures over the island and/or sink. This way, each metal can be sourced from one manufacturer, assuring consistency.
- Mixing tones creates visual interest – so using a bright finish chrome on bathroom fixtures doesn’t limit your choices for lighting or towel bars/hooks. Again, consistency for each category creates harmony in the finished look.
Consider creating your own design board by clipping or printing pictures of room scenes that appeal to your taste. Doing this helps you to determine what *your* style is and ultimately makes your decision-making easier. Keep in mind the color scheme of the room and know what your favorite palettes look like. In design, knowing what you like and what evokes home to you are the most important things in creating a home you will love.
