When Pinterest released its trends for 2024, it announced that cool tones are “so hot right now,” a swing from the love affair with gold. Oh, how we love to watch design trends to see how people dress and decorate year after year, but it amuses me to think that some metal that comes from Earth is somehow trendier than another. Aren’t all metals attractive in some form?
– pinterest predictions
After renovating dozens of spaces and closely following the interior design industry for fifteen years, I believe we have reached a point in the evolution of design where we can say everything metallic finishes are timeless. What matters is what the designer is looking for in the metal to help tell the story. These are undertones of metal that influence the overall style or aesthetics of the space, as well as the shape and design of the selected device.
The different undertones and shine are what make the difference. Warm undertones are present in brass, copper and rose gold, while cooler undertones are present in chrome and nickel. Warm undertones have red, yellow, or brown undertones, while cooler undertones include blues and grays. There is also a range of finishes to choose from across the spectrum from brushed to polished.
When studying countless examples of well-designed rooms, any metal finish can be spotted. Below is a closer look at the differences and examples of all the metal finishes that look good in different spaces.
Polished and brushed nickel
Nickel is a silver-white metal alloy that primarily contains nickel, but also includes other metals such as copper, zinc, and sometimes iron. Nickel has good resistance to corrosion and tarnishing and is available in polished and brushed textures, the polished versions being more elegant while the brushed ones are more casual.
ckf cabinetry
the pure salt of the interior
both interiors
Chrome
Chromium is a bluish silvery metal made from chromium that has been coated onto a base metal such as steel or brass. Chrome’s silver-blue tone is cooler than nickel’s warmer tone and has a reflective sheen. Since it is resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, chrome is widely used in the production of cars, but also for decorative kitchen elements and bathrooms. Chrome finishes are ideal for kitchen appliances and hardware because of their stain resistance, and chrome is often more affordable than nickel.
ready
studio onyx
Bronze
Bronze is an alloy composed mainly of copper and has lovely brown shades that are warmer than black. Oil rubbed bronze was popular fifteen years ago, I hope to see more use of bronze in modern design as warmer tones and textiles and tiles are back.
lisa sherry interiors
brodware
Iron & Black
The black finish is either wrought iron or plated bronze or brass. Matte black has been on trend for several years, and a great choice if you’re looking for high contrast or a bit of drama.
design by elizabeth roberts
armac martin
elizabeth garrett interiors
Brass
Brass is a copper alloy that contains zinc and is corrosion resistant. Matte or unvarnished finishes are more popular in this decade than the glossy lacquered fixtures of the 1980s. A beautiful brass faucet or hardware is always a timeless addition to a kitchen or bathroom or as a lighting choice in any space.
akb designs
becca interiors
akb designs
Rose Gold
A mixture of copper and yellow gold is what gives rose gold its pink tone, this finish has been in demand for several years as an alternative to brass. This warm metal is often used in jewelry and accessories, but is also available in faucets, mirrors, and other kitchen and bathroom fixtures.
eroded bath
d pages
Gunmetal
Similar to pewter with its deep gray tones, the gunmetal finish is alluring because of its depth and finish that is darker than nickel and several levels higher on the shade scale than bronze. Gunmetal is an alloy of bronze, composed of copper, tin and zinc, and is scratch and corrosion resistant making it a good choice for faucets and hardware or sinks. Last year at KBIS, the gunmetal or “graphite nickel” finish became increasingly popular and available among manufacturers.
metal faucet
Kate Lawrence interiors
Copper
Warm, versatile and timeless as can be, copper has been used in kitchens and bathrooms for centuries. Copper is its own element, a soft metal with high conductivity and thermal capacity and has been mined for centuries. In modern construction, it is used for plumbing and electrical work, but also aesthetically and functionally in kitchens and bathrooms as lighting, taps, sinks and pots.
grohe
marta stuart
honestly marie designs
Sometimes you want cooler-toned metals, sometimes you want the contrast and drama of black, sometimes you want the warmth of brass or copper. All are available to you depending on your wishes.
bathing chamber
I understand why some metals can become more popular for a few years and then recede as less of a choice, and I know we like to talk about trends in the design industry, but I really believe it’s silly to say that any metal finish is “in” or “out.” “. Every great designer has used every metal finish in their portfolio depending on the look they’re creating, and mixing metals in a space or throughout the home feels more deliberate and less coordinated.
This Blu Interiors kitchen is a good example of mixing metals: stainless steel appliances, brass pulls and lighting paired with silver-tone faucets, and still has a cohesive look, balancing warm and cool tones.
Any metal can look good when used in the right way. Is there a metal finish you don’t like? Join the conversation!