Mixing Metals in The Kitchen? 4 Design Tips to Remember

When doing any type of renovation the choice of hardware tends to be the last piece to the puzzle that is considered. And yet, could be one of the key features when it comes to tying an entire space together in its design, look, and feel. To then throw mixing metals into the equation? Well, that’s a different story. More often than not, it doesn’t matter how often you’ve decorating rooms or renovating a home, the idea of colouring outside the lines by using one metal here and another over there can be a bit scary.

Similar rules apply in the world of fashion when it comes to mixing jewellery metals, and even then it doesn’t feel intuitive.

Mixing metals in home interiors

All of that said, mixing metals can add a beautiful sense of depth to a room. A layered look that transforms the space into a set you’d expect to find in a magazine. Jonathan Adler, a modern American interior decorator, and designer, is a case in point for this. His interior range reiterates the idea of how mixing metals can elevate a space and above everything else, is essential if you’re looking to achieve a luxurious look that oozes glam.

The idea that all metals in any one space must match can in itself be an awkward task especially in the kitchen; trying to find the same aged brass for the door handles, taps, light, and switches or sockets. Mixing metals can save time and can feel daring, especially if it’s your first time trying it. It’s the designer’s choice, now here’s how to get started.

Can you mix metals in the kitchen?

Short answer, yes you can mix hardware metals in the kitchen. That said, there are some rules to bear in mind when you choose what metals and finishes to mix, and where. It’s recommended to stick with 2 or 3 metal finishes to keep a cohesive look throughout and can help to make the overall design of the kitchen look purposeful, rather than disjointed.

Key aspects to consider when designing your kitchen include everything from the square foot you’re working with to the distance between appliances to keep the ebbs and flow of the communal space. In the middle of that sits the colour scheme you’ve chosen, and the hardware you’ll be using to elevate the space by making it your own.

Tips on mixing metals in the kitchen

The choice of hardware can often be left as an afterthought, once everything has been bolted in what are we using to open it or to turn it on? From light switches to knobs, there are plenty of ways to be creative with mixing metals and the hardware that you use.

• Try and keep each section the same. For example, the handles you’ve chosen could be brushed gold cabinet handles, whereas the tap and lights could have a matt black finish; such as this sleek dual monochrome tap and monochrome mounted wall light that can easily be coupled with chrome appliances.
• Be mindful of the finishes. A general rule of thumb is to be careful when going for the same metals in different finishes. It can often come off as an accident, rather than a design feature. It’s worth considering a different metal type if you’re bringing in a different finish or you can choose to spread the piece out in the room.
• Achieve a layered effect with hints of metal. Anchoring smaller hints of metals, such as these Bone and Brass handles, can be a great way to create a layered effect in the kitchen. The best way to achieve the look is by choosing a larger metallic piece, such as pendant lights, cooker hood, or appliances, and accompany it with smaller pieces throughout the space.
• Make it make sense: Hues. Consider dark and light hues in the space, for example, hammered brass and chrome would be a bright hue whereas black nickel or antique bronze would be darker. Depending on the space, you can anchor it using a dark hue and elevate it with one that is light-hued, or vice versa.

Boutique brands to watch for hardware

As the world becomes more confident in home interiors, the more we’re seeing boutique brands popping up on the market offering the most unique pieces to add that extra edge to designs. The choice in hardware is no different, and we love it. Boutique brands and stores are showing what’s possible when it comes to adding those finishing touches inside our homes with those subtle yet important details to tie a space together.

Dowsing & Reynolds

Home of the most interesting, stylish, and quirky hardware piece. We asked Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, Co-CEO of Dowsing & Reynolds about how to make the best use of the finer details in the kitchen through hardware. Her response? A gorgeous reminder of why this attention to detail pays off; not just for how it looks but how it can make you feel.

“My tip would be to select finer details that will make you smile in some way when you see and use them. A handle that feels great in your hands can make you feel good every time you use them… A smoked gold light dimmer can make your heart sing a little every time you see it. These little bits of jewelry for your home can bring a smile every day.”

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Buster + Punch

Another iconic brand breaking the mold on what we know of hardware is Buster + Punch. The home fashion label has been influenced by London’s fashion and music culture scenes and has undeniably changed the concept of hardware being anything but ordinary. Maybe it’s to do with the founder Massimo Buster Minale‘s architectural background; the shapes and close attention to the detailing of their pieces that makes them so unique.

Either way, they have everything to do with lighting and hardware and a dash of Buster + Punch in any home will make those finishing touches a talking point.

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Photo credits: 1. Clark & Aldine 2. Jonathan Alder 3. Heidi Caillier