Choose a Favorite
When mixing metals, as with mixing colors in a color palette, it’s best to choose a dominant tone and a secondary tone to give the room a sense of visual structure. In this example, various items carry steely tones (the chest, chair legs, curtain rods, lamp), while only a few thin pieces are in gold.
There’s no one mathematical formula for how much of each metal to use, but 70 percent and 30 percent is a good starting point for making sure one tone is dominant and the other is present enough to not feel misplaced.
When mixing metals, as with mixing colors in a color palette, it’s best to choose a dominant tone and a secondary tone to give the room a sense of visual structure. In this example, various items carry steely tones (the chest, chair legs, curtain rods, lamp), while only a few thin pieces are in gold.
There’s no one mathematical formula for how much of each metal to use, but 70 percent and 30 percent is a good starting point for making sure one tone is dominant and the other is present enough to not feel misplaced.
A.S.D. Interiors - Shirry Dolgin, Owner
This room takes a similar approach to the first: Many items have gold tones (including the curtains and small accessories), while just a few pieces are silver (such as the mantel vases).
Notice how each tone is spread throughout the room, rather than appearing in just one place. In a large room with many elements, using accessories to carry these finishes to multiple points makes them feel integrated throughout and keeps the eye moving.
Notice how each tone is spread throughout the room, rather than appearing in just one place. In a large room with many elements, using accessories to carry these finishes to multiple points makes them feel integrated throughout and keeps the eye moving.
Minhnuyet Hardy Interiors
Use Fabrics
When working with metal tones, don’t forget that fabrics in metallic finishes and hues can add a lot of variety and help spread your palette throughout the space.
In this room, golden yellow accent pillows bring warmth to the seating without making everything full-on glam. Likewise, the interesting turtle shell picks up on this tone without perfectly repeating it.
Using just one large object (like this drum coffee table) to anchor your dominant tone and then smaller accents to bring it elsewhere is generally a safe bet, especially since you can always change the pillow cases later or for different seasons.
When working with metal tones, don’t forget that fabrics in metallic finishes and hues can add a lot of variety and help spread your palette throughout the space.
In this room, golden yellow accent pillows bring warmth to the seating without making everything full-on glam. Likewise, the interesting turtle shell picks up on this tone without perfectly repeating it.
Using just one large object (like this drum coffee table) to anchor your dominant tone and then smaller accents to bring it elsewhere is generally a safe bet, especially since you can always change the pillow cases later or for different seasons.
SuzAnn Kletzien Design
The Golden Rule
While any favorite metal can be the dominant tone, I often recommend using more gold and less silver. Silver tones tend to be brighter and sparklier than gold ones, so this formula lets the few hits of silver shine without swallowing up the gold.
In this space, the chair legs (likely steel or aluminum) and silver-flecked mirror hold their own while letting the collection of golden sunbursts be the star.
While any favorite metal can be the dominant tone, I often recommend using more gold and less silver. Silver tones tend to be brighter and sparklier than gold ones, so this formula lets the few hits of silver shine without swallowing up the gold.
In this space, the chair legs (likely steel or aluminum) and silver-flecked mirror hold their own while letting the collection of golden sunbursts be the star.
Homepolish
Pick and Mix
It’s possible to coordinate more than two metal tones in one room, but you should first consider the size of the room. In a wide open space, using small dashes of silver, gold and copper adds life and personality without feeling cluttered.
The fact that each metal is about equally represented in this room lets them blend in with the rest of the eclectic, natural finishes. Each metal is about one-third of the metal palette, but overall they’re only a small part of the room.
In a smaller room (less than 500 square feet), play it safe and pick only two metal tones to avoid looking like an overstuffed antiques shop.
It’s possible to coordinate more than two metal tones in one room, but you should first consider the size of the room. In a wide open space, using small dashes of silver, gold and copper adds life and personality without feeling cluttered.
The fact that each metal is about equally represented in this room lets them blend in with the rest of the eclectic, natural finishes. Each metal is about one-third of the metal palette, but overall they’re only a small part of the room.
In a smaller room (less than 500 square feet), play it safe and pick only two metal tones to avoid looking like an overstuffed antiques shop.
Jamie Laubhan-Oliver
Mismatched Magic
Sometimes the best way to make finishes coordinate elegantly is to make none of them truly match at all.
In this dreamy bedroom, the stool, nightstand and accessories show different metal finishes in varying shades from cool crisp silver to pewter to pale gold, with cooler tones dominating.
Besides being mismatched tones, the objects are varying finishes (super-polished, brushed, aged), so every piece becomes a special part of an eclectic story.
However, notice how the rest of the room is dressed in soft gray and white neutrals, so the contrast of metal tones is the focus and the space still feels calm.
Sometimes the best way to make finishes coordinate elegantly is to make none of them truly match at all.
In this dreamy bedroom, the stool, nightstand and accessories show different metal finishes in varying shades from cool crisp silver to pewter to pale gold, with cooler tones dominating.
Besides being mismatched tones, the objects are varying finishes (super-polished, brushed, aged), so every piece becomes a special part of an eclectic story.
However, notice how the rest of the room is dressed in soft gray and white neutrals, so the contrast of metal tones is the focus and the space still feels calm.
Sealy Design Inc.
Divide and Conquer In the Kitchen
In a kitchen, the easiest way to mix metals cohesively is to divide them by category — separating the metal items into functional versus decorative categories and assigning one finish to each.
Here, the functional hardware pieces (the cabinet pulls and faucet) are approximately the same brushed silver-toned finish, and the more decorative pendant lights are an eye-catching copper.
This division makes immediate visual sense and draws extra attention to the lights as a feature.
In a kitchen, the easiest way to mix metals cohesively is to divide them by category — separating the metal items into functional versus decorative categories and assigning one finish to each.
Here, the functional hardware pieces (the cabinet pulls and faucet) are approximately the same brushed silver-toned finish, and the more decorative pendant lights are an eye-catching copper.
This division makes immediate visual sense and draws extra attention to the lights as a feature.
Finite Solutions
This kitchen takes a similar approach, with cool stainless steel dressing the appliances and the range backsplash, and a golden tone for the can’t-miss pendant lamps.
For those concerned about resale value, sticking to classic cool finishes on the more fixed elements and saving warm metals (like copper, gold, brass or bronze) for a few changeable accents like lights makes it easier to reset the space in 10 to 20 years for broad appeal and updated trends.
For those concerned about resale value, sticking to classic cool finishes on the more fixed elements and saving warm metals (like copper, gold, brass or bronze) for a few changeable accents like lights makes it easier to reset the space in 10 to 20 years for broad appeal and updated trends.
Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
Pendant lights aren’t the only way to add a little golden glow to your space, however. In this personality-filled kitchen (which happens to be in my home), the appliances are actually the only pieces in stainless steel, while all the other metals are brass or warm bronze.
Stainless steel appliances are almost a wild card of kitchen design. They have a classic appeal that allows them to match with anything, so you don’t have to fear pairing them with other metals in any proportion.
Stainless steel appliances are almost a wild card of kitchen design. They have a classic appeal that allows them to match with anything, so you don’t have to fear pairing them with other metals in any proportion.
Sophie Burke Design
Divide and Conquer in the Bathroom
A divide-and-conquer strategy also works well in the bathroom. Choose one finish for your faucets and shower fixtures (which are best perfectly matched from one manufacturer if possible), and then dress the other accents like handles, lights and mirrors in a second finish.
It’s best to play it safe here and match your accents closely to achieve a clean, orderly look, as this designer did with the similar aged-gold finishes. The contrast between the polished silver tones and more matte gold is beautiful.
A divide-and-conquer strategy also works well in the bathroom. Choose one finish for your faucets and shower fixtures (which are best perfectly matched from one manufacturer if possible), and then dress the other accents like handles, lights and mirrors in a second finish.
It’s best to play it safe here and match your accents closely to achieve a clean, orderly look, as this designer did with the similar aged-gold finishes. The contrast between the polished silver tones and more matte gold is beautiful.
Mali Azima Photography
In smaller bathrooms (especially powder rooms), keeping everything neutral will avoid an overwhelming look. Here, a silvery wallpaper and gray-veined marble form a cohesive palette with the steely lights and faucet, so the showstopping gold mirror becomes the singular contrasting element. A saturated color on the walls probably would fight for attention. Instead, a single pop of green from a leafy plant is just the only other accent.
Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
Near Match
In a space where metals won’t be the focus (such as a bathroom with dramatic tile), try two finishes that are similar, such as this modern gunmetal sink stand and vintage pewter-toned mirror with a blackened patina.
This makes the contrast more subtle, so the eye can appreciate the other elements first and then let the sophisticated palette unfold.
This can be tricky to pull off, so if you don’t feel confident, stick to just one metal for a classic look and save the decor alchemy for a larger room.
In a space where metals won’t be the focus (such as a bathroom with dramatic tile), try two finishes that are similar, such as this modern gunmetal sink stand and vintage pewter-toned mirror with a blackened patina.
This makes the contrast more subtle, so the eye can appreciate the other elements first and then let the sophisticated palette unfold.
This can be tricky to pull off, so if you don’t feel confident, stick to just one metal for a classic look and save the decor alchemy for a larger room.
Design Manifest
Mixed Metals With Color
For those of you who crave color in your palette, notice how many of the spaces here use blue as an accent to mixed metals. Blue is the closest to neutral colors, and it pairs beautifully with gold, silver or copper. If you’re looking to add a little more spice, a cool blue is the perfect place to start.
More
How to Start a Decorating Project
How to Make Your Living Room More Inviting
For those of you who crave color in your palette, notice how many of the spaces here use blue as an accent to mixed metals. Blue is the closest to neutral colors, and it pairs beautifully with gold, silver or copper. If you’re looking to add a little more spice, a cool blue is the perfect place to start.
More
How to Start a Decorating Project
How to Make Your Living Room More Inviting
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