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Mixing metals is one of those design choices with plenty of room for personal preference. If you are renovating a bathroom and love the look of all vintage brass, picking every faucet, light and knob in that finish is totally fine! But if you like a little more contrast, blending two or three finishes can make a space feel collected and custom. That is the camp I am in.
Below is my simple, four-step strategy for mixing metals, shown in my primary bathroom, plus faucets, hardware and accents in each finish linked below the photos, so just swipe through to shop!
When you mix metals, the goal is to keep everything from looking random. This is my way of doing it in a simple way, but there is no right or wrong as long as you love it!
Tip 1: Choose Two Main Finishes
Start by choosing two finishes to use as the main metals in your space. In my bathroom, I chose nickel and antique brass. Two main finishes give you contrast without the room feeling busy.
Here are three combinations I love. Pick one pair, then repeat it through the room.
Tip 2: Plumbing in One Metal, Hardware and Accents in the Other
The easiest way to mix metals in a bathroom or kitchen is to order all of your plumbing fixtures in the first finish, then order everything else in the second finish. That is exactly what I did: the sink faucets and shower plumbing are nickel, and the cabinet hardware, mirrors and lighting are vintage brass.
Faucets I Love
Brass Hardware, Mirrors and Lighting
Tip 3: The Two-Spot Rule
Use each metal at least twice in the space. It can be a big element like a faucet or a light, or something as simple as a picture frame or decorative object in the same finish. Seeing a metal twice is what makes the mix look intentional and ties the room together.
Tip 4: Add Accents
Greenery, towels, rugs, accent furniture, art and decor are what pull the whole design together. They fill the gaps, soften all of the hard finishes and make the space feel finished. Choose pieces that match your style, like the striped towels and small potted plant I used here.
Quick Mixing Metals Checklist
- Pick two main metals (three at most).
- Put all plumbing in metal one.
- Put hardware, mirrors and lighting in metal two.
- Repeat each metal at least twice.
- Soften it with wood, greenery and textiles.
Tag me in your spaces so I can see how they come together! Next, read my three rules for mixing wood tones, and shop everything in my home on my Shop Our Home page.