Your Guide to Mixing Metals | Interior Design Tips for Mixing Metals in Your Home

As an East Texas interior designer, I always mix at least two different metals in a room. If you’re scared to mix metals in your home, see this guide to learn the best way to have different metals in the same room. As a Longview, Texas interior designer, I’ll be sharing tips to mixing metals in kitchen design, mixing metals in bathrooms, and more!

Photography by Stacy Markow

What is mixing metals, and why should I do it? 

Mixing metals in your home means having different style elements in different metals and colors, like having a faucet in polished nickel and cabinet hardware in brass, for example. 

Some people believe that keeping the same metal for every element will create cohesion, while in reality, mixing metals in your home will create layers and depth in any interior design, whether you’re mixing metals in kitchen design or mixing metals in a bathroom! Any interior design inspiration photos you see in magazines will have mixed metals, as it creates an elevated, luxury design feel. 

See the difference between a kitchen with all elements in the same metal vs a design from my interior design portfolio to see how mixed metals elevate a space. 

What metals should I choose for my home interior design? 

The most timeless & classic metals, in my opinion, are polished nickel and antique brass. These are tried and true and will never go out of style. For a modern style home, polished brass or satin brass is a good option, and if you’re designing a French country home, maybe lead with unlacquered brass. 

More tips for mixing metals:

• As a rule of thumb, stick to two metals in a smaller room and go up to three metals in a larger room. For things like bathrooms and kitchens, I typically only use two different metals, and in a space like a living room, I go up to three!

• If you’re going with gold & brass in a room, stick with the same finish (antique, polished, unlacquered, etc.) so as to not make it look messy! Using different finishes when mixing metals can make it feel more untidy.

• When seeing how two different metals look together, it’s easier to start small by purchasing a small accent or piece of home decor rather than a larger element like faucets, hardware, or lights. This will save you both money and headache in your interior design project!

Mixed metals examples from my portfolio: 

I hope this guide to mixing metals was helpful for your home interior design! If you mix metals in your home design, make sure to use this guide to elevate your space with the help of a Texas interior designer. If you’re looking for an East Texas interior designer to help with your home design, click here to book a consultation.