I mixed metals in every single room in our home except for one so you could say that I’m a fan. For me mixing metals keeps a room from falling flat, it brings another layer to the space which I love. There are no “rules” when it comes to mixing metals, do what feels right for the space, but you *can* and should be mixing metals!

The Buddy System

Jean Stauffer Design

When you’re mixing metals I like to use the buddy system in most cases, but I have been known to break this “rule” from time to time. What do you notice in the photo above? Who’s buddying up to who? Brass lighting and brass cabinet hardware. Am I even seeing a peek at a brass hood? Hello, beautiful polished nickel faucets! And then there are the antique brass cabinet latches… with no buddy. You want to know why I think it totally works in here? They compliment the dark counters, the tones in the rug and even in the wood cutting board. It totally works.

Design: MMI Design | Photography: Kerry Kirk Photography

Be Intentional

When choosing metals think about how you want to mix them in the space and how you want them to flow through the rest of your home. I suggest picking 2 or 3 to use throughout, paying attention to undertones. For example, we chose brass, polished nickel and black for our home. Polished nickel’s warm undertones compliment the warmth of the brass, and I consider black to be a neutral. It goes well with cool tones like chrome and warm tones like polished nickel or copper.

The easiest place to mix metals is in a kitchen, bathroom or even a laundry room, basically anywhere there is exposed plumbing. In our kitchen we did brass cabinet hardware, wall sconces, shelf hardware and brass knobs on the range and mixed things up with a polished nickel pot filler and faucet.

Studio McGee

I suggest sticking to one finish, kind of. Mix them up, but keep them the same. Are you confused yet?! What I mean is when choosing a metal be intentional about it’s finish too. For example, throughout our home we have brushed brass and polished nickel. Be intentional about the finish of your metal and that will keep your home feeling cohesive from room to room.

Don’t Over Think It

I knew in our primary bathroom I wanted to play hard with mixing warm and cool tones. I love how our cool marble mixes with the warm wood as well as the brass lighting and plumbing, while that black stays neutral. This is definitely my favorite room as far as mixing metals.

In the end just remember there are no real rules, you do you! Whether that’s not mixing metals at all (I’ve noticed this trend is coming back around already) or adding two, three or even four metals to a space! It’s your home and I want you to love where you live!

Psst. You can find more design tips and tricks here.