Mixing Metal Finishes in the Bathroom
My friends, I always have renovation on my mind, and my attention as turned to my master bathroom. The tile and cabinets are too traditional for my taste so I’m budgeting a remodel. It’s not likely to happen anytime soon but it’s on the horizon.
One detail I’m nuts about in bathrooms is the mixture of metal finishes. While I chose all brass for my tiny powder room refresh last year, I did mix chrome and black in the flip house hall bathroom and also in its master bathroom (to be revealed).
There’s no rule that you have to mix metal finishes in bathrooms (or kitchens), but when you consider the examples below, you’ll be thinking about it in your next bathroom makeover. For example, adding a touch of black to a collection of brass is a very good thing, so is mixing chrome and brass finishes.
To follow are examples of successful pairings and the analytical breakdown demonstrating the principle that mixing metal sheens in the bathroom can (and IMHO should) be done.
First, you can never go wrong with a medley of brass and black or nickel and black. Both work together beautifully. Notice the mixture of brass light fixtures and hardware with black mirrors. This is a no fail classic combination, regardless of the color of the vanity. One bathroom has brass faucets, the other has black ones that play off the black mirror. Both look amazing.
Reverse the two, now make the mirror brass and opt for black pulls, fixtures, and faucet. Equally amazing combo.
You can also mix the silver tones found in chome/nickel with the warmer tones in brass. These two need not compete, they actually can complement each other. This medley works really well when one finish is shiny (the faucets) and the other finished is brushed (the sconces).
Copper and steel finishes together? Yep, no problem, notice the copper sconces are shiny the mirror’s frame is a brushed finish. Lovely.
Black hardware is perfect for light or white cabinets, but not a good choice for black ones since the finish would disappear. On black or dark vanities, metallic tones pop against the dark background, but consider even when choosing gold or silver tones for the hardware, adding a black sconce above to play off the black cabinetry.
If you’re committed to one finish with your mirrors and faucets, think about adding a different metal into the mix in just one spot. Like a piece of simple jewelry, the brass sconces in these bathrooms are the perfect polished detail. (Also note the brass strip in the shower, a nice touch).
via mattandkimrescue
Why be limited to just two finishes when you can be bold and go for three. Live it up!
Notice how both of these bathrooms share nickel faucets and square brass mirrors, but the top bathroom has brass hardware and black finish sconces, whereas the bottom bathroom showcases black hardware and brass sconces. Nickel brass black, yes it works.
Again, same idea, you can mix three finishes but in this bathroom together with the chrome faucets live black mirrors and brass hardware.
And again, see how the brushed nickel bathtub and sink faucets do pair with brass hardware & sconces, and black mirrors and shower frame.
The lesson: don’t be afraid to mix your metal finishes in the bathroom; it makes the space more interesting and prevents the bathroom from feeling too matchy matchy.
What about you? How have you successful mixed metal finishes in your bathroom?
P.S. You may also like sleek single handle kitchen faucets and budget friendly brass lighting.
