Mixing metals is an art. There are some metals that really don't go together, and some look better together than alone.
Using two or more metallic shades in your decor makes a space feel layered and interesting, and it gives you flexibility over time.
Small, thoughtful details, such as using matching metallics and repeating the same tones, complete the interior, making it cohesive.
Base tones
Undertones are critical when choosing metal finishes, paint colors, and basically any material. An undertone is the color underneath the color you’re looking at. Gray is a great example. Have you ever picked up a gray paint and put it on a wall and it turned lavender? That means it has a purple undertone. Or did it turn greenish? Yes, a green undertone is to blame. Almost every material has some kind of undertone that you need to recognize.
Warm undertones can be found in brushed brass, gold, polished nickel, brushed nickel, and copper.
Matte black has a neutral undertone.
Cool undertones are found in polished chrome, silver and stainless steel.
Rule #1 of mixing metals – when in doubt, stick to the same undertones.
Cool undertones and warm undertones often don't go well together. Stick to the same undertone for a stylish finish.
You can use matte black as a wild card - it has a neutral undertone and works with both warm and cool undertones.
Tip – never, ever, mix chrome and nickel. They are both shades of silver, but with different undertones, and they don’t look good together.
Metal surface treatment
Brushed, satin, polished, forged, matte – all of these also affect how the whole thing looks.
You can mix these pretty freely! Polished nickel or chrome look great with matte black. Antique brass works with polished nickel.
The only thing we don’t recommend – same metal but different finish. For example: don’t mix polished nickel and brushed nickel – it looks like you tried to make them match and failed.
Rule #2 – if your metals are different, you can mix finishes.
How many different combinations?
Rule #3 when mixing metals – always 2, but no more than 3. This creates a layered space that still feels cohesive and purposeful. When you use more than three metals, you end up with an eclectic style, meaning there’s a lot of contrast in the space. If eclectic is your thing, go for it! But if your goal is to create a cohesive space, stick to the 2-3 rule.
Here are our favorite combinations!
Brushed brass + polished nickel
Antique brass + brushed or polished nickel
Patinated bronze + copper
Matte black + gold or brass
Matte black + nickel
Matte black + chrome
Matte black + gold or brass + nickel
Exception to the rule: Stainless steel
Stainless steel is very typical in household appliances and our brains have learned to think of it as the color of household appliances. Stainless steel may therefore be the fourth metal in the whole.
Choose one metal for the main role
Rule #4: Choose metallic tones and finishes, with one being the main feature throughout the home using the 70-30 rule.
Bring variety to different rooms by using secondary metallic tones in mirror frames, handles, faucets or lighting, for example. For example, k Your bathroom faucets can all be polished nickel, and the toilet faucet can be brass. However, choose one metal and finish for the faucets in the same space. And also choose one metal and finish for the handles in the same space.
Pay attention to the lighting fixtures and their small details, right down to the ceiling cupola, so that they also echo your chosen design.
