Jeremiah Brent Reveals The Best Way To Decorate With Chrome And Metallic

Chrome and metallics are considered go-to materials when it comes to clean and modern contemporary design, often found as simple accents or fully covering hard furniture pieces like coffee tables, luxe vanities, and accent chairs. Designer Jeremiah Brent recently discussed his love of chrome and metallics in an Instagram post for @1stdibs, identifying it as a trend he adores, particularly when combined with a neutral palette. Brent says the elements can conveniently read both modern and traditional in design depending on how you use them.

While metallic finishes like gold and silver go back to the ancient world, chrome plating as a material for furniture and interior design stems from the 1920s when it was first invented. Aesthetics like Art Deco and the automation age led to its incorporation into buildings and construction. Its popularity continued through the century, finding a prominent place in Mid-Century Modern's atomic-era details, as well as the sleek lines of the 1980s contemporary style. You will also find chrome home decor and details in abundance, along with other metallics, in more Industrial spaces today.

In a neutral room, as Jeremiah Brent discusses, these elements can add texture and dimension that beautifully complement otherwise monochrome or sterile environments, adding variations in tone that don't compete with the existing palette. Metallics and chrome can be added in large doses, like a stylish chrome coffee table paired with a simple white or beige sofa, or on the sleek legs of a brown leather chair. Use it in smaller doses with lamps, frames, and vases that look stunning in metals like brushed silver, aluminum, or copper.

These materials are also completely amenable to various styles, taking their lead from the lines of the individual piece and what surrounds them in any given space. Chrome itself can look very modern and minimalistic when surrounded by today's contemporary furnishings, or it can have a retro look amid Atomic-age antiques or Art Deco pieces. Metals as materials have the benefit of being reflective, meaning that they help to make a room slightly brighter. Many objects take up less visual space as a result, so they are perfect for small interiors where wood and other substances may feel too heavy.

The choice of which metal or chrome finishes that work best in your neutral-driven space will depend on the look you are going for. To decorate with metallics, use them in line with pieces that fit your aesthetic. In modern and contemporary-style rooms, opt for shiny chrome and silver finishes that reflect light and cast a modern gleam, particularly when combined with materials like glass and mirrors. For a more traditional look, use accents in brushed antiqued silver on details like cabinet hardware and accessories. For vintage or Victorian decor, copper and aged brass can be stunning elements to bring in for lighting and decorative details. For coastal, boho, cottage, or farmhouse styles, opt for less shiny galvanized metal or a more rustic feel.

Consider bringing metallics in a larger piece like a coffee table made of chrome and glass or an ornate brass headboard for a romantic feeling in the bedroom. For a great thrift flip that immediately adds charm to various design styles, use a silver or gold spray paint to liven up an ugly painted piece of furniture. You can also bring these elements in on the ceilings or walls through tin panels or wallpaper with metallic accents.