Mixing Metals: 4 Tips to Pull Off This Style Trend

That’s why some people are hesitant to try the mixed metals trend. But mixing metals doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience, and it adds a touch of flair to the room when done right. We’ve pulled together some of the top tips for pulling off this style trend.

1. Choose a Dominant Metal

You may be mixing it up, but you should choose one dominant metal to anchor the room. Select a metal that complements the primary colors in the room. For example, antique brass adds richness to an emerald green or navy blue kitchen. Polished chrome blends beautifully with bright white porcelain in a bathroom.

When choosing the dominant metal, consider the undertones of the room’s décor. Nickel and chrome have cool tones similar to what you see in green, blue, and purple shades. Brass and copper have warm tones like reds, oranges, and yellows. Some people find it easiest to pair metals and colors with similar temperatures, such as polished brass with deep violet. Others like the drama of contrasting tones, like copper with royal blue.

2. Have a Plan

Before you start mixing metals, think about where you can mix them in the room. Beginning with the kitchen or bathroom may be easier than other rooms because metals tend to be more common in those rooms compared to the living room or bedrooms. For example, faucets, drawer pulls, and valve covers tend to be made from metal.

Consider installing trim kits in the bathroom. If you have an open vanity, you could use an oil-rubbed bronze trim kit to replace the plastic pipes under the sink to coordinate with a faucet in the same finish. Then pair the dark, sleek metal with brushed brass on the bathtub and toilet. Take it all a step further with brushed-nickel towel racks.

3. Aim for Symmetry

Symmetry is the secret to great design. It’s why you position the kitchen table directly in front of the bay window and look for focal points in the room. It creates balance in a room and ties it together. Think about a fireplace flanked by tall bookcases, mirrors, or art pieces.

The first step in achieving symmetry when mixing metals is to choose a dominant metal. That metal should be more visible and used more than the other metals you choose. For example, if brushed nickel is the primary metal in your kitchen, you might use it in the faucet, light fixture, and drawer pulls. Not only does this spread the metal across the room, but it also puts it at different heights.

4. Experiment With Different Finishes

Talk of mixing metals seems to center on conversations about types of metals, but that’s not the only way to get in on this trend. You can also mix different finishes, including brushed, hammered, matte, and polished versions of your favorite metallic hues. Finishes do more than alter the metal’s color, they also bring different textures into the space.

For example, you might combine oil-rubbed bronze and brushed bronze in the bathroom or brushed nickel with polished nickel in the kitchen. A wall-mounted faucet in oil-rubbed bronze makes a fantastic focal point in the bathroom. Towel racks and drawer pulls in subdued brushed bronze add texture to the space.

Discover the perfect finish for your fixtures at Kingston Brass

You can pull off the modern, elevated look of mixing metals when you go in with a plan and the right pieces for the job. At Kingston Brass, we offer our selection of faucets, sinks, trim kits, and accessories in a variety of finishes so you can find the perfect metal — or two or three — for your home.