Photo Credit: https://lindyegalloway.com/our-work/
We’ve all drooled over the photos on Houzz or Pinterest, showcasing homes full of mixed metals.
Gold hardware, chrome sinks, and brass light fixtures are all the rage.
But how do you mix metals? How do you make all of these look “good” together?
As one of the best home builders in Phoenix, the folks here at Reef Builders are here to guide you. Here are a few tips on how to successfully mix metals in your home:
1. Compliment Your Base Palette
As you work through design decisions for your home, chances are, you’ve come up with a base palette of colors for walls, cabinets, floors, etc. Once you’ve done that, pick metals that will compliment those decisions. For example, lighter floors and cabinets can benefit from pops of darker hardware and fixtures. Red-hued floors might not look so great with copper accents. Dark floors can look beautiful with pops of rich chrome. Mixing metals starts with finding the right hues to compliment your home’s palette.
2. Balance Warm and Cool Shades
When selecting metals, think of balancing both warm and cool shades. If your home is mainly done in cool tones, then a pop of warm metal can add richness and charm to the space. Likewise, lots of warm, rich tones could use some cool metallics. Or you can keep it simple with all cool tones! Another strategy is to use 2 main metals throughout your home: one cool and one warm to accent, balance, and add a cohesiveness feel as you walk the home.
3. Look for Inspiration
If you know you want different metals throughout your home but aren’t sure how to do that, look for inspiration! Sites like Houzz and Pinterest have lots of beautiful design photos that showcase mixed metals. Or find some interior designers you love and begin following them on social media for the latest trends and photos. Often seeing something used in another space similar to yours gives you a sense of what works – and what doesn’t. Of course, our design team at Reef Builders – one of the best home builders in Phoenix – is also happy to show you some of our recent projects for inspiration!
4. Skip Matched Colors with Different Finishes
While we love mixing metals, steer clear of mixing multiple finishes within the same color family. For example, don’t use “brushed nickel” hardware in your kitchen – then opt for “polished chrome” in an adjoining room. The colors are so similar it may look like a mistake vs. a well-thought out design feature.
5. Choose a Focal Metal and Accent Metal
One easy way to mix metals is to let one metal dominate, and then pepper in an accent metal throughout. For example, chrome with black. Or brass with polished silver. Black or iron features look good with just about any accent! Just make sure the colors are well balanced and lend harmony to the space vs. having a sea of one color and just one “random” piece in a different color.
6. Stick with 3 Metals Max
A good rule of thumb is to mix color, but not overdo it. Select up to 3 metal finishes for your home and balance those equally throughout so that it’s pleasing to the eye as you work from room-to-room. Any more than 3 metals, and it may feel overdone and disjointed.
7. Go with What You Like
At the end of the day, there are no hard and fast rules for home design! You are the one who will live in the space. Stick to your gut and go with colors that feel warm, comforting, and bring you joy.
Overwhelmed by the idea of designing your home and selecting the right finishes? As one of the best home builders in Phoenix, Reef Builders has a full design team that will work with you on designing your dream home. Give us a call today for a consultation and let us show you why our design-build process offers less headaches and more time for you to enjoy your new home.
