Can you mix metals in the same room?

Design myth: you can’t mix metals.

Once upon a time, mixing metals in home décor was viewed a bad practice and a decision usually had to be made between silver and gold, or chrome and brass.

‍

We get asked about this supposed faux-pas all the time.  Clients either ask, “can I mix metals in the same room?” or they say, “Oh I can’t use that silver table I already have gold in the room. Isn’t that bad?”

But we would like to bust this myth.  Yes, you can mix metals! In fact, mixing metallics in a space adds dimension to a room.

Over last few years, mixing metals in jewelry has been a growing trend, and we love it in interior design as well.

Now I’m not telling you to layer ever metal finish you can find in the same room, and I’m also not saying just because you can mix metals that you should.  There are ways to mix metals well and ways that make it look haphazard.

Mixing Metals in Home Décor – How to mix metals well:

1) Don’t go over board with the finishes. Two metallic finishes (silver with gold or nickel with oil rubbed bronze) is enough.  However, within that color scheme, mix a variety of textures and colors (meaning dark and light golds, weathered silver finished with polished).  

2) Make sure to have a variety of pieces: don’t have a single piece in a different finish.  If you incorporate a gold lamp, make sure to have gold accents elsewhere in the room.  This makes the look purposeful rather than haphazard.

3) Incorporate the mixing of metals into fabrics used in the room as well.  This contributes to the cohesive look of the room and warms up the feel.

‍