In kitchen and bath design, one thing that can change a look completely is the metal finish that you prefer. For some, it’s definitely going to be gold tones like brass. And for others, they like a cooler look in silver tones like nickel and chrome. It’s all very personal, but there are some guidelines to help you decide.

The key - just like with most things in home decor - is balance. In the bathroom above, there are a lot of cool greys and white. So I warmed things up with brass tones on the mirror, light fixtures, and the faucet.

I’m also a big fan of complementary colors. Gold tones work well with blue, for example, as they’re on the opposite sides of the color wheel.

In the bathroom I designed above, I wanted a crisp and cool look, so the nickel finishes really succeed when combined with the slightly-warm white.

In the room above, I wanted to make a monochromatic statement and I love the way the chrome looks with the cream and black.

Don’t forget that mixing metals can be a great look, too! In the kitchen I designed above, the chrome faucet is the only one that gets to “shine.” I kept the nickel hardware, the brass lighting, and the copper piece around the range hood to a low sheen, with brushed finishes.

So what’s your favorite metal look? Let me know in the comments section below!

Warmly,

Beth