Accents with metal finishes are becoming more and more popular in modern home décor. Stainless steel, brushed nickel, copper, chrome, and bronze are all stylish choices individually, but who says you have to stick with just one veneer? For today’s post, we’re going to explore the possibilities of mixing metals!
You might consider it daring to mix metallic elements in your home decor, but with proper layering and close attention to detail, metals lend a rich, contemporary vibe to spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms. Mix and match metals throughout your home for a bold, edgy decorating style and for maximum effect, take an “anything goes” approach toward metal diversity.
Kitchens
Mixing metal throughout your kitchen keeps the space interesting. Contrast white cabinets with dark bronze accents, bronze track lighting and stainless steel appliances. Complete the look with an espresso-colored dining table and chrome-legged chairs. Hang a bold, copper pendant lamp over the dining table instead of a traditional chandelier. Whichever way you decide, the final design should have a couple of metal elements that pop out instantly, with less obvious complementary pieces adding interest at different levels of the room.
Furniture
Metallic furniture doesn’t have to be chrome or wrought iron. Place a few of these hard pieces throughout a room to complement the overall theme, but don’t be afraid to include shimmering, upholstered chairs and couches as well. Refresh worn laminate furniture with painting and stenciling projects using silver, gold, and bronze paint and arrange these reclaimed pieces in tandem with more traditional pieces throughout the space. For example, a living room could include a plush, silver-hued couch flanked with chrome and glass end tables. Refurbish an old wooden coffee table with bronze-colored paint and place it in front of the couch to complete the look and enhance the feel.
Lighting
Lighting fixtures offer one of the easiest ways to mix metals in a room, especially in a kitchen or bathroom. Traditional gold-finished chandeliers can be mixed in with modern silver pendant lamps. In the living room, contrast black fireplace andirons with a pewter-colored chandelier and a gold-finished Baroque frame on a favorite painting. If the room features chrome furniture, warm up the space with gold-hued and bronze lighting fixtures.
Accents and Accessories
Liberally mix a variety of metal accents throughout the room. For example, combine a brushed nickel bathroom faucet with a chrome bathtub faucet and shower head. Further diversify with oil-rubbed, bronze hardware. Decorate with accessories that have a personal meaning–that antique sideboard that has been handed down to you can be decorated with your treasured silver tea set or a vintage jewelry box. Hang mirrors strategically throughout the room to magnify not only the space, but the mixed metallic theme as well. Family photographs and original artwork can be displayed in frames with a variety of metal finishes, such as silver, gold, bronze, brass, and copper.
As you decorate more and more with metals, you’ll notice that a matched look is actually less inviting than a mixed one, so don’t be afraid to mix and match the finishes to offer a balanced, rich and contemporary feel to any room.
Have you used a variety of metals to decorate any or all of your rooms? Let us know what you chose in the comments below!
*image courtesy of squarestate.net