Get the Look: Mixed Metal Finishes

Mixed Metal Finishes | Marnie Sconce by Mitzi

Mixed metal finishes create a bold, elegant look that is much easier to incorporate into your home than you may think. With a few simple tips, we’ll show you how to design your space with mixed metals like a pro.

Metal Tones and Combinations

Warm Tones: Gold, brass, copper, bronze.

Cool Tones: Stainless steel, chrome, satin nickel, aluminum.

Neutral Tones: Cast iron, black metals.

Mixing metal finishes is easy to pull off when you know how to combine tones. If your dominant metal is a cool color, you should use warm accents, and if you are using a dominant warm color, accent with cool tones. Both warm and cool colors mix well with neutral metals. It is best to choose 2-3 metals that you would like to mix to create interest without overwhelming your space.

Sphericon Pendant by Matteo Lighting

Proper Placement

Interior designers suggest using your metals in layers by making everything on the same level the same color. Generally, that means using one metal for lighting and another for cabinet hardware and faucets. Many popular light fixtures now come with mixed metal finishes, in which case it’s fine to have different metals on the same plane.

Fixtures with Mixed Metal Finishes

Some of our favorite new fixtures take the guesswork out of mixing metals and combine two or three in a single fixture. When using a fixture with multiple finishes, it is best to follow the lead of the fixture and use the same combination of metallic finishes throughout the room. If the fixture’s dominant finish is black and the accent color is brass, use black at the dominant color for your hardware and brass for accents and accessories.

Our Favorite Mixed Metal Fixtures: