Skip to main content

Add some glam to your home: The do’s and don’ts of metallic decor

Metal has been a consistent addition to home design for centuries. From silver trays to iron-clad chandeliers, metallics have always added a unique touch to interior decor. And the best part about this precious material is that it comes in various textures, colors, and finishes. This means that no matter your design style, you can find some stunning ideas for how to include metal fixtures and accents into your home to help enhance the luxury and appeal of your home’s design. To help you nail the use of metallics in your space, we have a few do’s and don’ts you should follow.

blue and turquoise room decor with metal details

Know your color palette

Before you begin choosing metallic decor to add to your space, you need to consider what will best suit your color palette. While most metals can look lovely in any room, it’s essential to know how to make your metal pieces shine without detracting from your existing decor.

Related Videos

For example, suppose you have a dark-green room filled with rich browns and organic textures. Gold, bronze, and copper pieces will best suit this design aesthetic, as they will enhance the warmth of the existing palette. Alternatively, a more minimally styled room with a white and gray palette may look better with silver and black accents that flow with the look of the space.

As a basic rule of thumb, cooler color palettes with hues like gray, white, or blue tend to look best with metals that appear silver, white, or black. Alternatively, warmer or more vibrant color palettes can look stunning with gold, bronze, or copper metallic finishes. While this isn’t a steadfast rule, knowing what metals look best with your existing colors can help you create a cohesive look in your space.

modern room white color palette and mix and matched metal decor

Don’t forget to use antique metal pieces

Often, homeowners assume that metal touches can only look nice in industrial, rustic, or modern decor. However, metal pieces can look amazing in almost any home decor style. One thing to consider is that metal has been used in home design for centuries. This means that you don’t have to opt for modern-style pieces to use metal in your home. For homeowners looking for something more ornate or eclectic, we recommend considering antique metal pieces in your design.

Ornate picture frames and mirrors, sophisticated brass doorknobs, silver trays, and gold carts are some of the many antique metal decor pieces you can include in your design. For traditional, maximalist, grandmillennial, or vintage design styles, these intricate metal pieces can be the perfect addition to your space.

Be intentional when mixing metals

Another thing homeowners often overlook is mixing metallic looks for a more diverse and complex design. It’s easy to assume that mixing metals can look unintentional and messy in a home design. However, doing so can help prevent your design from appearing flat or boring.

When mixing metals, it’s important to be intentional. Consider which metals look good next to one another and how they will appear in your existing design. For example, a vibrantly colored room might look best with a blend of gold, brass, and copper pieces. Alternatively, a modern room will appear best with aluminum, steel, and silver pieces that help highlight the sleekness of modern design. If you plan to mix and match metals in your decor, pick one type to become the dominant metal in your space and be purposeful in how the other metallic details are placed throughout the design.

Don’t neglect using an array of finishes

Not all metal pieces originating from the same material look the same. For example, polished brass can look drastically different from antiqued brass. This is because metal pieces often receive different finishes to help accentuate a specific look. Depending on your design, antiqued brass could be the best solution for enhancing your decor. However, polished brass might appear out of place in your design. Therefore, before purchasing any metallic pieces for your design, you should think about what type of finish will look best in your home.

Additionally, painted metals are different from raw metal materials. And there’s the issue of texture: Some metal pieces like stainless steel are created to be smooth, while other metallics like iron can feel rough to the touch. Depending on your design aesthetic, determine which metals will look best in your space and which are worth avoiding. Typically, modern aesthetics do best with smoother metals and more polished finishes, while vintage designs look gorgeous with rougher textures and more antiqued finishes.

dark blue modern room with bronze metal decor

Pick metals that suit your design style

Not every metal is suited for each design style. Vintage aesthetics like grandmillennialism, Victorian-inspired design, Hellenistic decor, or Edwardian styles look best with ornately designed pieces and metals like gold, silver, and bronze.

On the other hand, modern styles like mid-century aesthetics, industrial design, rustic decor, and traditional styles look best with more sleek metal designs and materials like steel, aluminum, brass, and copper.

Some ornate pieces can look gaudy in a modern design, while simple metal decor can appear tacky and kitsch in a more elegant and vintage design style. As you begin choosing metal touches to add to your decor, consider whether an ornate piece or a more streamlined design will look best in your space.

Decorating with metals requires a lot of consideration. From metal type, hue, finish, and design, there are several combinations you can use in your home’s design. While there are a few basic rules for decorating with metallics, it’s important to remember that mixing and matching metal aesthetics is all part of the home design process. Feel free to play around with the materials you use to find what works best for you and your space.

Editors' Recommendations

5 expert tips to personalize your home design in 2023
Get personal with these expert tips for your home's vibe.
Couple planning their living room layout together

Interior design trends shape the way you style your home, but personalization is where you get to shine. Personalizing your home's interior decor is a great way to achieve a vibe by using colors, textures, and materials. The overwhelming tone of 2023 in home design is creating a space where you feel good. If this seems like too broad a statement, keep reading -- we'll have you on your way to personalizing your home design in no time with these expert tips.

Don’t worry about matching
Gone are the days when you must worry about matching colors and textures inside your home. This is excellent news for anyone who always felt their personality was much less tidy than their home’s vibe. Jon Sanborn, the co-founder of SD House Guys, suggests "mixing different metals throughout the house to create a more unique and interesting look." Think brass hardware in the kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Just don't get carried away -- paying no mind to matching colors could get dangerous.

Read more
This is the simple way to incorporate sustainable design when remodeling your home
Do your part for the environment when considering your next remodel
Kitchen remodel plans

When it comes time to renovate your home, there are a lot of decisions to make. Designing your space with your personal style in mind is just the beginning. Cost, DIY vs. hiring a contractor, and schedule all come into play. But what if you also want to incorporate sustainable home designs into your remodel? Considering the environmental impact when making design choices doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Check out some simple ways to remodel sustainability below.

Home design trends have moved toward sustainability and eco-friendly -- recycled materials, low-energy lighting and appliances, organic fabrics and materials, and high-quality indoor air. Katherine Cohen, associate creative director at Interface and FLOR says this means many people are now selecting products from companies and brands that prioritize sustainability and offer environmentally friendly products. And while this may mean paying a higher price for specific products, many people now consider this extra cost a built-in expense of living responsibly.
Reuse, recycle
If you’re worried about cost or remodeling on a budget, don’t worry -- you can still remodel sustainably without breaking the bank. Repurpose, reuse, recycle, salvage, and reimagine your way into environmentally conscious home design. Use reclaimed wood for floors or a bed frame, reuse cabinets and light fixtures when possible, and buy pre-owned decor from garage sales or local secondhand shops.
Buy responsibly
If you’re concerned with the environment, one way to do your part is to cut down on the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) you’re responsible for. VOCs harm the environment by creating smog and also pollute indoor air. Check for brands that have options with no VOCs, or at least go with a brand that has less than 5g/L of VOCs. You can also look into buying appliances that are better for the environment, such as a tankless water heater.

Read more
These are the luxe design trends experts say will elevate your home interior
Luxe design style to up your interior design game
Person sitting at design table with different drawings and color choices

Interior design trends are always changing and sometimes they can be hard to keep up with. Luxe design trends are sophisticated and elegant without looking like you’ve tried too hard. This usually pricey style appears across all design styles, though, so it’s not that unattainable if you want to try to up your interior design game. Experts agree that design trends are moving toward more unique aesthetics, so choosing a luxe design style may now be more doable than ever. Check out the trends experts think will elevate your home decor this year.
Unique and custom pieces
Design trends have moved away from modern and sterile and have become more homey and unique. This is excellent news for anyone looking to add some luxe items to their home decor. Since luxury pieces aren’t usually cheap, the purchase can be more justifiable if you invest in something timeless that will be in your family for years to come. Even if you choose to go with a custom piece or two, like the hand-crafted ironwork that has been popping up everywhere, you won’t regret the purchase years from now, if it’s a design you truly love and not just a passing fad.

Micro-luxury
Jessica Sommer, VP of Wedgewood Homes & Maverick Design, explains that this rising trend "introduces the idea of going all out in a smaller space, or going 'all in' on just one luxury element used in combination with more budget-friendly items." For example, use high-quality materials for the bathroom floors and counters mixed with more cost-effective items to give an overall luxury look but not break the bank. This is also a good place to sneak in some decadent patterns like damasks and large florals that are making a huge comeback.
Technology
Speaking of luxury, smart technology will continue to work its way into more parts of the home, especially in luxe designs. Even with bedrooms and bathrooms, we are starting to see more and more tech integrated to include charging areas in furniture, adjustable heights for mattresses, and additional features that make the home feel more like a place of rest and pampering. With more time spent at home over the past years, people are really taking the time to make their homes feel like a place of serenity.

Read more