From sleek chrome faucets to antique gold lamps, metal plays an important role in shaping a space’s interior design.
There’s something undeniably inviting about the timeless allure of silver or the trendy warmth of copper in a home. These rich, lustrous finishes add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any room.
So, how do you ensure your choice of metal complements your existing décor and design style, and how do you seamlessly integrate vintage metal finds into a modern space? This blog can help you discover the secrets of matching metal finishes, old and new, with your interior design aesthetic.
Key Design Principles:
Several fundamental principles can help you integrate metal into your interior design. Like paint colors and furniture styles, metal finishes, either new or old, also play a role in establishing your space’s overall mood and aesthetic.
Choosing a primary metal is one of the first principles of integrating metal into a room. This metal can be anything from brass to silver, but you must have a focal point. The metal you choose should reflect the room’s design style.
This doesn’t mean that all the metals in that room should match. Interior designers suggest you also choose two complementary metals to act as accents. The recommended ratio for primary metal is 60-75%, but the aim is to achieve a balanced metal distribution throughout the space and avoid concentrating all metal elements in one area.
Another key principle of integrating metal into your space is to choose a finish that not only matches the room’s aesthetic but also bridges the gap between your primary and secondary metals. There are a range of finishes to choose from, including distressed, brushed, matte, hammered, satin, plated, powder powder-coated, and gunmetal finishes.
Maintaining consistency in certain design elements helps unify the space. For example, if you choose brass and copper as your primary and secondary metals, ensure they appear in similar, but not identical, finishes throughout the room. This gives some complexity to your space while creating a cohesive look.
The Importance of Color Temperature:
Paying attention to the tones of the metal you are interested in using will significantly help when designing or updating your space. The undertones of a metal are a great way to determine which metals go together.
In general, brass, copper, and gold have warm undertones, while other metals like silver, chrome, and nickel have cooler undertones. While mixing warm and cool metals is possible, it’s essential to do so thoughtfully to prevent clashing.
Matching metal tones with room colors is another important aspect of interior design. Warm metals can create a cozy, inviting atmosphere and work well with rich, warm tones such as deep reds, oranges, and browns. Cool metals often lend themselves to a more modern aesthetic and pair well with blues, greens, and grays.
The Magic of Warm Metals:
Warm metals like brass, copper, and gold have a rich, inviting quality that can transform a room into a haven of elegance. They exude a timeless sense of luxury and create a sense of warmth and intimacy.
Brass: This metal seamlessly blends with a variety of design styles. It’s a hue that can elevate every room because it provides contrast and makes a great statement metal. While polished brass is still popular, interior designers are using antique, brushed, or matte finishes to evoke a connection to the past. This metal works well against darker colors like navy and black to make it pop.
Copper: With its distinctive reddish-brown hue, copper is considered a strong statement of luxury and taste. While many people only think of copper cookware—and, by extension, only use copper in the kitchen—copper is a very versatile metal that can be used in any space. Because the surface patinas or oxidizes over time, it becomes a captivating focal point.
Gold: When you think of luxury, you think of this metal. It adds a sense of grandeur and opulence to any space. Though gold is being used less in interior design now than in past years, using it sparingly with other metals can enhance the look of your space.
The Glamour of Cool Metals:
Cool metals like silver, nickel, and chrome offer a clean, contemporary feel that can instantly modernize a space. These metals provide elegance but without overwhelming the space.
Silver: A timeless classic. Its sleek, reflective surface adds a touch of elegance and luxury. Silver is the perfect metal to choose if you want to enter the “quiet luxury” trend because it works very well with white, wood, and other light materials.
Nickel: Its versatility makes it a popular choice for adding a touch of sophistication with a hint of industrial edge. This metal is aesthetically pleasing and captures a nostalgic atmosphere, and it. It also masks fingerprints for easy upkeep.
Chrome: Its high shine reflects lots of light, making it perfect for smaller spaces that need a feeling of openness and airiness. This metal has seen a bit of a comeback in recent years because of its retro flair and works well with materials like mohair, wool, and cashmere.
Creating a Cohesive Look:
No matter your design style, there is a metal for you. Specific design aesthetics require a different combination of primary and secondary metals and materials.
Mid-Century Modern: The clean lines and organic shapes of mid-century modern decor are complemented by warm metals. Brass can add a touch of retro sophistication, copper can bring warmth and a subtle farmhouse feel, and gold can create a luxurious yet understated accent. Exposed copper pipes in the bathroom or a few gold-rimmed mirrors can instantly add character to the space. These metals also pair well with the rich wood tones and bold colors of this design style.
Industrial: Raw textures, exposed brick, and statement lighting define the industrial aesthetic. Cool metals like nickel and chrome are perfect for this design style. These metals offer a utilitarian look and a sturdy, vintage industrial feel with a modern touch. A sleek nickel pendant lamp or a set of chrome cabinet pulls create functional and visually striking focal points.
Bohemian: Both warm and cool metals can work for bohemian design’s eclectic and vibrant nature. Mixing metals embraces the nature of the style and complement Bohemian design’s eclectic and vibrant nature. Mixing metals embraces the style’s nature and leads to some very interesting primary and secondary choices. Mismatched brass door handles and a hammered copper bowl on a coffee table create a curated, well-traveled look.
Minimalist: The minimalist design style thrives on understated elegance and functionality. Cool metals like chrome and nickel are ideal choices with their polished and reflective surfaces. They offer a sleek, modern look with a clean aesthetic and add subtle texture without being too bold. Nickel hardware on cabinets or a chrome faucet can seamlessly blend into a minimalistically designed space.
Art Deco: This style is all about glamour and luxury. Metals such as gold, silver, and brass help to bring out the opulent feel of an Art Deco-inspired room. They offer Mirror-like shines and add warmth while capturing the emphasis on geometric patterns. Gold geometric wall hangings and silver accents on furniture maintain the style’s luxurious feel.
Scandinavian: Functionality, simplicity, and a connection to nature are all hallmarks of this style. This design prioritizes light, airy spaces, so subtle accents of cool metals like silver and nickel complement the style’s focus on natural materials without disrupting the overall calm and simplicity. Nickel drawer-pulls on a sleek dresser or a silver serving platter on a wooden dining table can be an elegant touch to any dining space.
Tips for Finding Vintage Metal Pieces:
The metallic trend in home decor is big in 2024, and incorporating vintage metal pieces into modern interiors is a trend that continues to gain popularity. These pieces bring a sense of history and unique character that can’t be replicated in mass-produced items.
Designers and homeowners alike are finding vintage items to give personality to contemporary interiors. This trend allows for truly one-of-a-kind design elements and is also environmentally friendly. Upcycling and repurposing vintage pieces reduces waste and promotes sustainability.
Besides finding or being gifted vintage pieces by family and friends, a great way to find vintage metal items such as gold-framed mirrors or brass doorknobs is at flea markets, antique stores, estate sales, or even online marketplaces like Etsy.
By using the fundamental design principles and figuring out your style for each space, a few vintage mismatched copper candle holders or a silver bowl can be the unique focal point of your room.
Biro & Sons Is Your Partner In Maintaining Metal Finishes:
At Biro & Sons, we’re passionate about helping you see the potential in that tarnished brass lamp or weathered copper vase. Our dedication to quality and craftsmanship ensures that each piece we restore, whether a modern accent or a vintage treasure, enhances your home with beauty and history.
Contact us today to discuss our restoration and refinishing services.