Design Tip: Mixing Metals

If you are planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel, you've probably seen it by now - mixed metals.

A space that somehow wraps a nickel faucet with wrought iron chairs and antique-brass lighting. Its an eclectic look that can lend to a luxurious, layered feel, regardless of your style.

But how in the world do you mix 2 or 3 different metal tones without it looking like you just bought the wrong thing?

Photo from Lindye Galloway

1) Pick A Dominate Metal or Look 

Are you envisioning a big, black mirror in a small bathroom or are you looking for a feminine, delicate look with marble and soft brass tones? 

Focus on that and add a "pop" with another metal for a "moment" 

2) Keep an Eye on the "Pop" 

Certain metals melt into a background more. Nickel can feel see-thru. (Did you even notice that the designer above is mixing 3 metals? Your eye automatically disregards the nickel as it looks like a neutral). Similarly, wrought iron or matte black metals can look like architecture, part of the background features of a home and less like "jewelry". 

Lacquered brass, conversely, is a strong metal look. If you chose it as a hardware of center-focus, like a kitchen faucet, it will be very visible. 

3) Don't Worry about your SS Appliances 

If you were worried that your stainless kitchen appliances count as another metal, just like the above note on nickel, they currently read "neutral". In 30 years, we might be more visually aware of them (if they read "dated") but for now, feel free to continue mixing! 

Photo from Lindye Galloway

4) Mix Throughout 

Don't make one side of a bathroom (or just the lower portion of a kitchen) one metal and the other side the other. 

5) Go Slow and Plan 

Use online drawing tools and mockups to see metals side by side, look through Pinterest and other sites for examples, and don't buy all at once. Pick a few key pieces and build from there as your plan progresses. 

P.s. For a GREAT breakdown from the pro above - check out this article!