Kitchen & Bathroom Design Blog

Here is a new blog post from a guest author contributing to
Lang’s Kitchen & Bath’s website.  We hope you find this topic helpful!

Updating your kitchen? Looking for powerful ways to make a big impact? Mixing metals is a great way to do it. The key to a cohesive—rather than chaotic—look is to mix metals intentionally. Rather than adding random metals anywhere you like throughout the room, it’s best to think strategically about the style you want to achieve, what exactly you’re going to include, and precisely where the metal features will go in your kitchen design.

To help you in this process, here’s an eight-point guide for mixing metals in the kitchen:

1. Stick to two or three metals max. 

The easiest way to mess up your metals is by overdoing it. Instead, aim for two to three metals total. This will help avoid a sense of clutter and disorganization.

2. Choose one dominant metal. 

Anchor your kitchen metals around one prominent finish that you love. You can then complement this dominant metal with a couple of accents as desired.

3. Think of iron as a neutral. 

When you’re deciding which metals to incorporate into your kitchen’s design, feel free to add iron as an extra option. Why? In the world of metals, natural iron functions as a neutral. It doesn’t clash with other choices, but rather helps enhance a variety of looks.

4. Don’t be afraid to mix warm and cool. 

If you think you have to stick to either warm or cool metals, think again. The truth is, placing cool metals (such as silver or chrome) alongside warm ones (such as nickel, gold or brass) can create a big impact. More than that, doing so thoughtfully can help you avoid a boring, matchy-matchy look that cheapens your kitchen style.

5. Match appliances with sink faucet. 

One good rule of thumb when it comes to metals is to match your kitchen sink faucet to your appliances (or appliance handles). When shopping for a faucet, searching by finish in order to avoid clashing.

6. Don’t match pendants to chandelier. 

If you have an eat-in kitchen with a chandelier over the dining area, go for a chandelier metal that does not match your pendants. A better option would be to use one of your accent metals in the chandelier instead.

7. Coordinate choices with kitchen color scheme. 

If you have a pale-blue or light gray kitchen, those cool tones will look beautiful with cool metals, such as silver and chrome. If, on the other hand, your color scheme relies on warm shades such as brown, taupe, beige or white, warm metals will work best. In that case, look for brass, nickel or copper.

8. Distribute different finishes evenly.

Keep the overall look of your room in mind. Rather than focusing your metals on one side or section of the room, spread them out equally to create a more attractive, cohesive look.

Take a look at this handy resource to review these tips in a quick, easy-to-follow summary.

When choosing metals for your kitchen, follow the eight guidelines above to achieve a balance and style. Use them to assemble a beautiful, intentional space where the metals are an asset to the design. 

AUTHOR BIO: Carmen Fiordirosa is Vice President of Marketing for Gerber, a manufacturer of high-quality kitchen and bathroom plumbing products. Fiordirosa, who has more than 18 years of experience in the marketing industry, focuses on earning the trust of trade professionals and homeowners alike who find value in products that have both style and substance.