How To Mix Metal Finishes In Your Home
Something we love to do at LWD is mix metal finishes in our projects to keep things interesting. Mixing different metal finishes—such as brass, silver, and black—might sound tricky, but it’s actually a great way to make your home look stylish and put-together. The key is to do it in a way that feels intentional instead of random.
Here’s how to do it, step by step (using our Fountain Hills Kitchen as an example)!
1. Pick One Main Metal
Start by choosing one metal to be the “star” of the room. This will be the metal you use the most. For example, in the kitchen below brass cabinet hardware and brass light fixtures—so that is our main metal. Having one main metal keeps things looking cohesive.
2. Add One or Two Accent Metals
Once you have your main metal, you can add one or two different metals as accents to create contrast. In this project, we chose black as one of the accent metals, showing up in the sink, sconces, chandelier and door handle. We also have polished nickel as an accent metal, which appears in elements like the faucet and stainless steel range.
To tie it all together, we echoed the black window frames with complementary black chairs, barstools, and accessories.
4. Keep It Evenly Spread Out
To make mixed metals look intentional, they should be distributed evenly throughout the space. If all the warm metals are on one side of the room and all the cool metals are on the other, the space can feel unbalanced. Instead, try placing different finishes throughout the room to create harmony.
For example, in this Fountain Hills kitchen, the mix of metals feels cohesive because each finish is thoughtfully placed.
The black door handle on the right is balanced by the black sink and light fixtures on the left. Gold is the main metal, appearing in the cabinet hardware and lighting, while polished nickel and silver accents—like the faucet and range—add contrast without overpowering the design. The green cabinets, which have a cool undertone, help tie everything together, making the mix of metals feel natural and well-balanced.
The Bottom Line
Mixing metals makes a room feel stylish and unique—but it works best when done with intention. Stick to one main metal, add accents, mix warm and cool tones, and spread them throughout the space. Before you know it, your home will have that designer look without feeling overdone!
If you need help mixing metal finihses in your space, reach out for some help! Whether it is a virtual design session or full scale remodel or new build. We would love to help. Click here to inquire.
Xo,
Lexi
John Woodcock Photography
