Using Mixed Metal And Gold Features In Your Home? Avoid These Mistakes

Sure, choosing the exact same metal finish for every fixture is easy, but it can also feel boring and lackluster. Pairing different metals lets you show off your personal style and adds dimension and contrast. Figuring out how to decorate with metallics in different colors can be intimidating, but it's easier when you know which mistakes to avoid. That includes choosing too many metals and using multiple metals from the same color family.

One key mistake to avoid is not having a dominant metal color. Rooms with too many colors or without a clear dominant tone may seem chaotic and feel busy. If your home already has prominent gold features, use gold as your dominant metal and mix in one or two complementary accent colors. When choosing your accent metals, choose finishes from different color families to create more contrast against the base gold color. That means that even though brass finishings are coming back in style, adding brass fixtures to your gold features won't work well because they're too similar. It can feel like you tried but failed to match the fixtures. 

When choosing your mixed metals, look at the undertones, which can be classified and warm or cool. Gold falls into the warm category along with brass, copper, and oil-rubbed bronze. You create a sense of cozy warmth when you incorporate those elements. For contrast and overall balance, pair them with cool-toned metals like chrome and nickel, which add a contemporary clean feeling to balance the space. 

Pairing mixed metals with your gold features involves more than just color. Another mistake to avoid is ignoring the lusters on the metals you choose. For instance, choosing all shiny metal pieces for the room can compete for your attention and make it feel less cohesive. If your current gold finishes are shiny, choose an accent metal with an aged, matte, or satin finish for contrast.

The placement of your mixed metals also impacts how well they work together. Avoid clumping your metals all in one part of the room. If you use gold finish in your home decor, spread it throughout the room. The same goes for the complementary metal finishes you choose. Putting too many metal pieces together can make the room feel unbalanced, whereas dispersing it all over feels harmonious and keeps the eyes moving. 

It's also important to consider the other finishes and colors in the room as well as your overall style. Your metal choices should complement the existing decor elements and help carry your design aesthetic. Being intentional with your metal choices starts by getting clear on your overall theme or direction for the room. Gold features work well in a variety of styles, from glam and art deco to farmhouse and traditional styles. Choose other metallic accent pieces that fit with the overall design to make your space look perfectly curated instead of random.