The old rule of making sure to match all the metals in your kitchen is no longer in vogue.
Modern kitchens boast a variety of metal finishes on the cabinet hardware, the light fixtures, the plumbing and appliances.
This is in keeping with a larger trend of mixing paint/cabinet colors and layering textures/wood stains throughout the home – not just in the kitchen.
One of our favorite combinations is a matte black finish contrasted with brass.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60185400fbed2318f46e1acc/62b3216e235ca66d169c986d_kitchentrends1.jpg)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60185400fbed2318f46e1acc/62b32176b6ce87273931b9eb_kitchentrends2.jpg)
There are many different types of metals and finishes to consider in both warm and cool tones. Warm metals include brass, gold, copper, and oil-rubbed bronze. Cool metals include chrome, polished nickel, and brushed nickel. Metals also come in a variety of sheens and finishes, including matte, satin, brushed, polished, oil-rubbed, aged, and antiqued.
According to Lifestyle Blogger Jane at Home, black can be considered either a cool-toned metal or a neutral and makes a great third metal to balance out your mix. She recommends mixing cool metals with warm metals to create a nice, eye-pleasing balance.
“In general, I wouldn’t mix two metals in the same family, such as nickel and chrome, unless they’re far apart in the space or you’re also adding a warm-toned metal to the mix,” she writes.
What metals are most popular?
Chrome is having a moment, but polished nickel and brass continue to be popular choices.
Copper became popular around 2017 and is still beloved today. We love this fairy-tale-inspired English kitchen featured in House and Home with its whimsical wallpaper, vintage cookware and a bespoke copper hood.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60185400fbed2318f46e1acc/62b32197f2661c43812ca324_kitchentrends3.jpg)
Photographer: Courtesy deVOL
Designer: House of Hackney
Most interior designers agree you can safely mix shiny with matte–as well as warm with cool.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60185400fbed2318f46e1acc/62b321ba254fcce887695cb8_kitchentrends4.jpg)
To be sure, we encourage you to create a mood board or have a mockup/sketch created so you can see the metals together and ensure everything looks cohesive.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/60185400fbed2318f46e1acc/62b321ce7648c14723339e42_kitchentrends5.jpg)
To see more real-life examples of mixed metals in the kitchen, visit our gallery.
To read more about mixing metals in the kitchen, here are some blog posts we recommend:
- https://chrissymarieblog.com/kitchen-trends-2022
- https://jane-athome.com/mixing-metals-in-kitchen/
- https://houseandhome.com/gallery/20-kitchen-vent-hood-ideas-next-reno/#image-6
When you’re ready to start designing your dream kitchen, reach out to us!