Experts say to follow these 7 rules when mixing metals in your home

Metal fixtures and hardware are integral components of kitchens and bathrooms, capable of significantly elevating the aesthetic of a space. The challenge lies in selecting and combining these elements harmoniously, especially when aiming to mix different metal finishes within a single room. Interior design expert Jordan Samson offers three key principles to guide homeowners and designers in achieving a balanced and intentional look when incorporating mixed metals. These rules are crucial for ensuring that the diverse range of available finishes, from the warmth of brass to the coolness of chrome, complements the overall style of the interior. The first rule emphasizes limiting the number of different metals used per room to a maximum of three. Samson advises this restriction to maintain design intention and avoid visual clutter. The size of the room is a critical factor in applying this rule; larger spaces can accommodate up to three metals, while smaller rooms might benefit from restricting the choice to just one or two. This thoughtful approach prevents the space from appearing chaotic or accidental, instead fostering a sense of deliberate design. Secondly, careful consideration of metal undertones is paramount. Metals are broadly categorized into those with warm undertones, such as brass and nickel, which are typically well-suited for traditional decor styles. Conversely, metals with cool undertones, like chrome and silver, tend to align better with modern aesthetics. Black metals, being a neutral option, offer versatility and can be successfully paired with either warm or cool undertones. Samson specifically cautions against combining metals that are too similar in appearance, such as nickel and chrome, black and oil-rubbed bronze, or brass and gold. Such pairings can lack the necessary contrast, leading to an unintentional or mismatched look, as if due to a lack of inventory. The goal is to create distinct yet complementary visual elements through strategic contrast. The third rule focuses on grouping items by function to ensure visual cohesion. When mixing metals, a practical approach is to assign a single finish to all fixtures that share a common function. For instance, all plumbing fixtures within a room should ideally share the same metal finish. Similarly, all door and cabinet hardware could feature another consistent finish. Lighting fixtures then offer an opportunity to either match one of the existing finishes or introduce a third metal, provided the overall limit of three metals per room is respected. This functional grouping creates an organized and balanced appearance, reinforcing the intentionality of the mixed-metal design rather than presenting a random assortment. Adhering to these guidelines helps homeowners confidently experiment with mixed metals, achieving a sophisticated and layered aesthetic in their interiors. #InteriorDesign #MetalMixing #HomeDecor #DesignTips #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign #FixtureFinishes #ColorTheory #HardwareSelection

The perception of mixing metal finishes in interior design, particularly in kitchens, has shifted from being a design faux pas to a celebrated trend, with designers advocating for its ability to create a "less-pretentious" and more personalized aesthetic. Historically, combining metals like gold and silver was avoided, but in 2025, this approach is gaining significant traction. A recent poll indicated that 52% of respondents favored mixing metals, highlighting a growing acceptance and enthusiasm for this design choice. Designers emphasize that the era of meticulously matching all metallic elements is over. This shift allows for greater flexibility in selecting items, eliminating the need to compromise on beloved pieces to maintain uniformity. Lucas Goldbach, Design Director at En Masse, explains that an overly matched scheme can appear "over-designed," while a thoughtful mix introduces personality and unique character to a space. However, achieving a successful mixed-metal look requires adherence to specific guidelines to ensure the outcome appears intentional rather than accidental. A fundamental principle for mixing metals is to establish a common thread throughout the design. Bob Bakes, co-founder of Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry, suggests creating connection points between different metallics. This could involve matching sink fittings and hardware while choosing contrasting finishes for lighting and accessories. For instance, a standout element like a range hood or metal doors can serve as a focal point. Another strategy, according to Lucas Goldbach, is to select materials with a warm base when combining gold-tone and silver-tone metals. Nickel, with its warm undertones, pairs effectively with brass and bronze, whereas chrome, with its cooler undertones, is more challenging to integrate seamlessly. It is also recommended to maintain consistency in the finish or surface treatment, such as pairing polished metals with other polished metals, or brushed with brushed. Achieving the right balance is crucial to avoid an overly ostentatious or "blingy" appearance. While combinations like polished chrome and polished brass can evoke an edgy, mid-century Italian vibe, they can also lean towards an 80s aesthetic if not handled carefully. Given that kitchens typically incorporate stainless steel appliances like sinks, ranges, and ovens, designers often suggest using a simple stainless steel faucet as part of this appliance suite, then introducing brass or bronze hardware for lighting, cabinet pulls, and decorative items. Bob Bakes advises restraint, emphasizing the importance of balancing metallic elements with other materials such as wood, paint finishes, stone, and fabrics to create visual harmony within the space. Designers encourage bravery and thinking outside the box when incorporating mixed metals. Lucas Goldbach notes that mixing metals can add warmth and depth to a space, despite initial intimidation. Bob Bakes reinforces the idea of taking calculated risks while maintaining restraint and striving for balance. For those hesitant to experiment in the kitchen due to numerous hardware and metallic components, starting in other areas of the home, such as living rooms or dining rooms, where plumbing and appliances are less dominant, can be easier. A modern chrome lamp beside antique brass bowls, for example, illustrates the eclectic and curated mix achievable through this approach. For those new to the trend, Lucas Goldbach offers a simple rule: nickel pairs well with brass, nickel with bronze, and brass with bronze, with black serving as a versatile accent. This guideline provides a solid starting point, allowing individuals to gradually experiment with different ideas as they become more comfortable. Products like a mixed metal pepper mill, a chrome kitchen faucet, and acrylic and brushed brass cabinet pulls are highlighted as examples of items that can facilitate a chic and balanced mixed-metal scheme without appearing excessive. #MixedMetals #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeDecor #ModernKitchens #DesignTips #MetallicFinishes #CabinetHardware #KitchenAppliances

This article, drawing on the expertise of interior designer Nancy Evars of Evars Collective, provides comprehensive guidance on effectively mixing patterns in home decor. It emphasizes a 'layering' approach rather than simple 'mixing' to achieve a sophisticated and cohesive look. A foundational 'Do' is to utilize patterns with varying scales. Evars suggests starting with small elements like throw pillows to experiment. A common recommendation is to combine a large-scale pattern, such as a bold stripe, with a smaller-scale pattern, like a delicate floral print. The article highlights that contemporary floral patterns offer a fresh perspective, even for those who prefer traditional styles like grandmillennial aesthetics, proving that florals can be both a throwback and current. The key is to ensure the patterns differ in size to create visual interest and avoid a cluttered appearance. Another crucial 'Do' involves finding cohesion through colorways. The article explains that color acts as a unifying element for design decisions, allowing various patterns to complement each other. By extracting and using different colors and shades present in a primary pattern, individuals can select accents like throw pillows and lampshades that tie the space together. Evars's own family room, for instance, achieves harmony by combining blues and various shades of brown, demonstrating how a consistent color palette can bridge diverse patterns and textures. Conversely, a significant 'Don't' is to layer similar fabrics. The article cautions that using fabrics with too many commonalities, such as velvet and mohair, can result in a one-dimensional aesthetic lacking contrast. Distinct textures are essential for adding depth and richness to a space, making it visually more engaging. Thinking of wallpaper and other decor as layers is another 'Do' presented in the article. Wallpaper, whether patterned or textured, is highlighted as a popular and impactful element. Evars notes a trend in using eye-catching wallpaper in smaller rooms and mentions the appeal of textured options like grasscloth. Beyond wallpaper, she recommends incorporating unique lampshades, customizing furniture with contrast welts, and using rugs with high-low pile patterns to introduce varied textures and patterns throughout a room. However, a related 'Don't' is to match textures in adjacent rooms. While varied textures are encouraged within a single space, the article advises against using overly similar wallpapers or textures in connecting rooms. This distinction ensures that each room retains its unique character and prevents a monotonous feel throughout the home. Evars illustrates this by describing her use of distinct grasscloth wallpapers in her bedroom and office. Mixing wallpaper with artwork is another 'Do' for enhancing a room's aesthetic. Evars asserts that artwork appears more elevated and complete when placed over wallpaper, dismissing the misconception that one must choose between the two. She notes that art can either complement or contrast with the wallpaper, adding layers of visual complexity. The article further clarifies that coordinating art styles is not always necessary; a traditional room can benefit from a modern art piece, creating a captivating juxtaposition and tension that enriches the overall design. The final 'Do' is to constantly edit and refine your decor. Evars encourages both professionals and novices to view their spaces as fluid, allowing for seasonal adjustments or relocation of items to refresh the look. This iterative process prevents a room from feeling overly busy and ensures that the decor remains dynamic and personally resonant.

Successfully mixing patterns in interior design can significantly enhance a room's aesthetic, creating a dynamic and cohesive space. Interior designers Cathy Austin and Cindy Dunaway offer practical advice for achieving this balance, emphasizing that the process is often simpler than perceived. A fundamental principle is maintaining a unifying color palette across all patterns. This approach ensures that despite varying designs, the overall visual presentation remains harmonious. Cathy Austin, based in Charlotte, NC, illustrates this by decorating a living room around a piece of abstract art by Amanda Talley. The organic lines of the painting are balanced by organized patterns, including a graphic carpet, striped drapes, checked chairs, and an ikat tablecloth. This demonstrates how diverse patterns, when unified by a color scheme and thoughtfully scaled, can complement each other rather than clash. Austin further exemplifies this in a foyer where a 'dirty pink' hue, present throughout the house, acts as the unifying thread. She uses black and white accents on doors, stair treads, and handrails to temper the pink, while a zebra runner provides a visual pop. Animal prints, she notes, often function as neutrals, allowing for versatile integration into almost any pattern mix. In a dining room featuring a chinoiserie mural by Terry Reitzel, Austin selects complementary patterns that stand out without overwhelming the focal point. A small geometric pattern on chair fabric, which reads as a solid, contrasts with the larger scale of the cream and pink table fabric, both drawing colors from the mural's cherry blossoms. Chocolate drapery, banded in pink, further connects the room's color scheme. Austin's mood board, inspired by a beach aesthetic, combines Schumacher fabrics, trim, and wallpaper with coral watercolors, a rattan pendant, and a vintage green console, all united by warm, bold summer colors. This creative exploration extends to fashion, highlighting that pattern mixing principles are transferable. Cindy Dunaway, a Georgia-based designer, applies a similar philosophy using cooler colors in a new house in Vickery, north of Atlanta. She explains that mixing multiple patterns is easier within a monochromatic color scheme, as it is less visually demanding than combining multiple colors and patterns simultaneously. In a family room/breakfast area, Dunaway uses darker blues as a base, incorporating Vervain's 'Asante' on window treatments and pillows, and Lucy Rose Design's 'Feathers' for the breakfast room windows. In an adjacent sitting room, a large-pattern repeat on window treatments is paired with a small Greek key pattern on an ottoman. This illustrates the technique of pairing large-scale patterns with small-scale ones to create visual interest without competition, especially when upholstery is solid. She also emphasizes the importance of small details, such as contrast banding on chair skirts or nailhead and tape on sofas, which contribute significantly to a room's character. Dunaway's mood board, starting with a subtle floral pattern by Lee Jofa, includes a solid fabric for upholstery and a cut velvet animal print by Cowtan & Tout for accent pillows, along with a check fabric for additional seating or pillows. She acknowledges that definitive rules for pattern mixing are difficult to establish, as balance and the desired style are paramount. For her 'updated traditional' look, she opts for on-trend fabrics at various scales, concluding that while guidelines exist, they are often meant to be adapted or broken based on creative vision. #InteriorDesign #PatternMixing #HomeDecor #DesignTips #ColorPalette #FabricSelection #RoomStyling #DesignerInsights

Successfully mixing different wood tones within a home is a design skill that can elevate a space, making it appear more sophisticated and intentionally curated. Rather than presenting a disjointed or mismatched aesthetic, a thoughtful combination of wood finishes adds depth and visual interest. This approach avoids the flatness that can result from using only one type of wood throughout a room, fostering a "designed" look rather than a random collection of furniture. One fundamental principle for mixing woods is to select complementary tones. For instance, the deep, rich hues of walnut pair effectively with the lighter, softer tones of maple, creating a harmonious contrast. Similarly, walnut and oak blend well, with walnut adding depth to oak's character. The key is to ensure that the undertones of the woods chosen are compatible; clashing warm and cool undertones, such as a pale grey floor with a warm oak dining table, should be avoided as they can create visual discord. In such cases, an area rug featuring both cool and warm tones can serve as a unifying element, buffering the transition between disparate wood finishes. Another valuable guideline is the application of the 60-30-10 rule, typically used for color palettes, to wood tones. This rule suggests allocating 60% of the room to a dominant wood tone, 30% to a secondary tone, and 10% to an accent wood. For example, if oak is the primary wood, pine can serve as the secondary, with a touch of charcoal or white wood as the accent. It is crucial for each wood tone, particularly the dominant one, to appear multiple times within the room to maintain flow and cohesion. This doesn't necessitate large furniture pieces; elements like lamp bases, armchair legs, or curtain poles can effectively repeat a wood tone, contributing to a unified aesthetic. Consistency in other design elements is also vital when incorporating various wood tones. Maintaining a consistent furniture style, whether traditional, contemporary, or Scandinavian, or opting for pieces with similar organic shapes, can help unify the space. This consistency in broader design aspects can draw attention away from subtle disparities in wood types. Additionally, introducing a unifying color through textiles like cushions and throws, or incorporating diverse textures via fabrics, rugs, and accessories, can further blend different wood tones, making the overall look more cohesive and integrated. Incorporating black wood offers a strategic way to introduce contrast and anchor a room. Black wood provides the aesthetic appeal of wood grain while adding a grounding, bold element that breaks up other wood tones. Interior design principles often advocate for including "something black" in a room to add depth and definition. This contrast is essential, ensuring that no single wood tone feels isolated. A balanced mix of light and dark woods prevents any one tone from being singled out. For instance, dark wooden flooring can be paired with pale wooden furniture to create striking contrast. However, it's important to ensure that any new wood tone introduced is replicated elsewhere in the room, creating a sense of harmony and intentionality. Ultimately, a successful approach involves aiming for a mix of light, medium, and dark wood tones to achieve balance and prevent the space from appearing "muddy" due to overly similar but not quite matching woods. For instance, medium-toned maple cabinets can be complemented by lighter pine accents, creating a clear distinction and visual interest. #InteriorDesign #WoodTones #HomeDecor #FurnitureMixing #DesignRules #DecorAdvice #StylingTips #ContrastInDesign

Achieving a harmonious and functional kitchen often hinges on the strategic placement of appliances. This article, drawing on expert advice, provides eight key rules to consider when integrating both new and existing appliances into a home's design, aiming to balance practicality with visual appeal without creating clutter. The core philosophy emphasizes viewing appliance purchases as investments and aligning their placement with the home's natural workflow. One crucial aspect is considering how often an appliance will be used. Frequently used items like coffee makers and toasters should be easily accessible on countertops to facilitate a smooth daily routine. For larger or less aesthetically pleasing appliances, subtle spatial changes and custom cabinetry offer effective solutions. Built-in appliances, such as dishwashers and refrigerators, can seamlessly blend with existing cabinetry, maximizing storage and creating an integrated look. This approach is particularly popular for kitchens and utility rooms. Interior design experts suggest reserving bespoke solutions for larger appliances and camouflaging those that don't fit the desired aesthetic, possibly by using appliance garages to group and conceal them. Countertop space management is another significant consideration. A general rule suggests keeping kitchen appliances at least four feet apart, meaning only one or two appliances per countertop. This practice helps prevent overwhelming the space and maintains a clean, organized appearance. Only frequently used appliances should remain on the counter, while less-used items should be stored in cupboards. If appliances are rarely used, alternatives such as donation or recycling, and exploring trade-in options when purchasing new items, are encouraged. Beyond the kitchen, relocating certain appliances can free up space and streamline routines. For instance, a coffee machine can be placed in a bedroom or dining room, provided it's positioned safely and artistically. When moving appliances, it's essential to ensure proper storage conditions: clean, dry areas, covered to prevent dust, and with organized cords to prevent damage. Specific safety guidelines, such as avoiding water near plug outlets, must always be followed, and user manuals should be consulted. Categorizing appliances extends beyond mere function; visual grouping also plays a role in maintaining flow. Grouping related items, such as creating a coffee station with a coffee maker, mugs, and sugar, enhances organization. Furthermore, grouping appliances by similar colors or styles can contribute to a more cohesive visual impression. Some appliances, due to their design, can serve as focal points. A statement refrigerator or a vintage toaster can add personality, with strategic lighting further emphasizing these design choices. Incorporating decorative elements and maintaining a minimalist approach are also vital. Creative storage solutions like open shelving allow for displaying favorite appliances alongside cookbooks, decorative items, or plants. Ultimately, adhering to the essentials and avoiding excessive clutter on countertops is key to a harmonious kitchen. Less is often more, and a cohesive color scheme can contribute to a balanced aesthetic. For less frequently used small appliances like blenders or food processors, designated storage areas such as upper cabinets, pantries, or rolling carts can keep countertops clear. Wall-mounted solutions like floating shelves or magnetic strips can also maximize space in smaller kitchens. For larger appliances, specific placement and maintenance guidelines are crucial. Refrigerators require cool, dry areas away from direct sunlight and heat sources, with sufficient space for ventilation. Washing machines need to be level, in well-ventilated rooms with low humidity, and their rubber hoses should be regularly checked. Built-in ovens and ranges necessitate proper ventilation, with regular use of range hoods and frequent cleaning. Dishwashers should be near the sink for plumbing access, with enough space for the door to open fully, and their filters and spray arms require regular cleaning. Finally, dryer vents must be kept clean to prevent fire hazards, and lint traps cleaned after every use. By following these expert recommendations, homeowners can create a kitchen that is both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. #KitchenOrganization #AppliancePlacement #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #KitchenAppliances #SpaceManagement #KitchenHarmony #CountertopManagement

Traditional interior design rules are being challenged, with designers increasingly embracing bold choices and unconventional combinations. One such evolving trend is the tasteful integration of mixed metals in home decor. This approach moves away from the past practice of adhering to a single metal finish throughout a space, instead advocating for a balanced blend of different metallic elements. Heather Smith, an expert from Decorating Den Interiors, provides guidance on how to successfully mix metals without creating a discordant look. Her primary advice centers on maintaining balance within a room. For instance, if light fixtures feature an oil-rubbed bronze finish and door hardware is shiny brass, the goal is to bridge these two different metals. Smith suggests introducing additional oil-rubbed elements, such as cabinet hardware, to connect with the light fixtures. Concurrently, a shiny gold accent, like a decorative mirror, can be incorporated to complement the brass door hardware. The objective is to prevent any single metal from dominating one area of the room, ensuring a harmonious distribution of metallic finishes. For those new to the concept of mixing metals, Smith recommends starting with smaller, more manageable accessories. Cabinet hardware, including pulls and knobs, offers an accessible and relatively inexpensive way to update a kitchen, bathroom, or even an older piece of furniture. By simply changing these small components, one can experiment with different metallic finishes. Beyond the finish itself, the shape and style of hardware can also contribute to a refreshed aesthetic. For example, replacing antique brass cabinet hardware with a more streamlined, simpler drawer pull featuring clean lines, such as a squared-off bar style, can modernize a space while still retaining a brass element. When incorporating shinier metals into a design, Smith advises using them as accents rather than as primary features. In her own home, she demonstrates this principle by combining oil-rubbed bronze light fixtures with a gold mirror and a cabinet featuring silver hardware within the same room. This illustrates that it is possible to blend more than two types of metals effectively. However, for highly reflective metals, a cautious approach is recommended, limiting their presence to smaller, decorative doses to avoid overwhelming the space. By adhering to these principles of balance, strategic accessorizing, and careful use of shiny finishes, homeowners can successfully integrate mixed metals into their decor, achieving a contemporary and sophisticated look. #Decor #Design #HomeDecor #MixingMetals #InteriorDesignTrends #HomeStyling #DecoratingTips #MetalFinishes

The trend of mixing metals in home decor has gained significant traction, moving away from the traditional necessity of matching all metal finishes within a space. This shift is embraced by design experts such as Glenn Meader, founder of Good Life New England, and Kathy Kuo, CEO of her eponymous interior design company, who advocate for incorporating diverse metal accents to create dynamic and complete living spaces. They highlight that the previous struggle to perfectly match metal finishes has been replaced by a celebration of individual design elements and unique metal characteristics. The concept of metal decor extends beyond the obvious fixtures like faucets and cabinet pulls in kitchens and bathrooms. The versatility of metals encompasses a wide array of options including chrome, brass, steel, copper, gold, and iron, each available in various finishes such as brushed, burnished, polished, and matte. This diversity, coupled with variations in patina and texture, provides a rich palette for home decoration. Designers now prioritize selecting hardware that complements cabinet finishes and styles rather than strictly adhering to faucet finishes, offering greater creative freedom. The kitchen presents numerous opportunities for metal mixing. For instance, manufacturers like GE Appliances’ Café brand have expanded their customizable appliance lines to include stainless steel refrigerators and ranges with hardware accents like brushed copper and bronze. This allows for a harmonious blend, such as pairing oil-rubbed bronze pendant lighting with brushed brass hardware on dark gray or navy cabinets, creating a visually appealing contrast. Beyond accents, mixed metals are integrated into individual pieces like furniture, light fixtures, and appliances, adding depth to the design. The open-concept living space also plays a role in the prevalence of mixed metal decor, as design choices from the kitchen flow into adjacent areas. This allows for a cohesive yet varied look across the home, featuring a blend of metal finishes on light fixtures, hardware, and furniture, achieving a "collected-over-time" aesthetic. Specialists like Ross Levtow of RBL Metals craft custom furniture with diverse finishes such as antique bronze, blackened steel, and polished plated nickel, meeting the demand for detailed custom metalwork in homes. For those seeking more accessible options, many retailers offer affordable mixed metal items and provide inspiration for their combination. Brands like West Elm and Crate & Barrel feature pieces like brass-legged dining chairs, marble dining tables with antique bronze frames, and end tables with brass bases, demonstrating how different metals can complement each other. The core message from designers is to embrace mixing metals without rigid concerns about perfect matching, instead focusing on making each metal finish a thoughtful addition to the space, allowing for unique and personalized home interiors. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #MetalAccents #MixedMetals #KitchenDesign #CustomFurniture #DesignTrends #HomeStyling

Designer Shea McGee offers practical advice on integrating different metal finishes in kitchen design, emphasizing balance and cohesion while avoiding a mismatched appearance. She suggests a maximum of three metal finishes, though ideally sticking to two, to create a refined and intentional aesthetic. McGee's approach divides the kitchen into three conceptual areas: lighting (top half), faucets and plumbing (middle), and cabinet hardware (bottom half). This framework helps to distribute different metal elements thoughtfully throughout the space. To ensure a harmonious scheme, McGee recommends matching metals within specific categories. For instance, designers can choose to match the kitchen lighting to the cabinet hardware, then introduce a contrasting metal for the faucet. Alternatively, the faucet can match the cabinet hardware, with a different metal used for lighting. This strategy prevents an arbitrary mix of finishes and maintains visual continuity. She specifically advises against mixing finishes within plumbing fixtures themselves, such as using different metals for a pot filler, bar faucet, and main sink, to preserve a sleek and unified look. The application of these principles can vary based on kitchen size and layout. In larger or open-plan kitchens where elements like pendant lights are distant from the sink, matching their metals helps to create a visual link across the space. Adding a contrasting finish on cabinet hardware in such settings can then introduce a subtle yet impactful visual interest. Conversely, in smaller kitchens, a more restrained approach is beneficial. Concentrating mixed metal elements in the upper part of the kitchen, such as lighting, can draw the eye upward and prevent the lower half from appearing too cluttered with various metallic accents. McGee's method encourages experimentation with mixed metals, transforming a potentially daunting design task into a manageable process. By adhering to the 'rule of three' and thoughtfully distributing finishes across distinct kitchen zones, homeowners and designers can achieve a layered and sophisticated interior. This approach promotes a balanced visual dynamic, where mixed metals contribute to an elevated and stylish kitchen environment rather than a chaotic one. #KitchenDesign #MixingMetals #SheaMcGee #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #KitchenHardware #LightingFixtures #DesignTips #CohesiveScheme

The selection of hardware finishes plays a crucial role in the overall aesthetic of a home, capable of either enhancing its style or making it appear dated. As 2025 approaches, interior designers are identifying specific hardware finishes that are losing relevance and are best avoided. These insights come from Laura Umansky of Laura U Design Collective, Isabella Patrick of Isabella Patrick Interiors, and Ellie Mroz of Ellie Mroz Design, who offer their perspectives on why certain finishes are falling out of favor. One significant trend highlighted is a shift away from machine-made finishes that attempt to mimic handcrafted appearances. Laura Umansky emphasizes the growing importance of authenticity in design, advocating for finishes that genuinely highlight craftsmanship over imitations. She suggests that finishes designed to look handmade, such as faux hammered bronze or imitation pewter, lack the genuine quality that contemporary design demands, thereby diminishing the sophistication of a space. This preference for authentic materials reflects a broader design movement towards natural, genuine elements. Matte black hardware, while still popular, is evolving in its application. Isabella Patrick notes that while matte black continues to be a viable option, particularly in bathrooms, its use in isolation is becoming less common. Instead, designers are increasingly pairing it with other metallic finishes, such as brass, to create more dynamic and layered looks. This approach of mixing metals introduces a modern and chic dimension to interiors, moving away from monochrome hardware schemes. Bronze finishes are also identified as largely outdated. Patrick observes that bronze is now a rare choice in most residential settings, typically found only in highly traditional designs. Ellie Mroz further elaborates, describing overly distressed oil-rubbed bronze as an attempt to appear authentic that ultimately results in a "faux farmhouse" aesthetic, which is no longer desirable. This indicates a preference for cleaner, less contrived finishes. Brushed satin and nickel finishes are another category that designers recommend avoiding. Mroz points out that these finishes often evoke a builder-grade quality, which can make a space feel generic and lacking in character. Similarly, brushed brass, especially variations with warm or yellow undertones, has become overused by manufacturers, leading to a decrease in its demand and perceived uniqueness. The widespread availability of these finishes has inadvertently contributed to their decline in popularity, as homeowners seek more distinctive and personalized options. The advice here is to explore a wider range of hardware options to find something that truly aligns with a home's unique aesthetic, rather than settling for commonplace choices. Lastly, chrome is cited as a finish to steer clear of. Despite its perceived modernity, designers believe chrome can make a space feel flat and uninviting. Mroz specifically notes its "bluish, cold undertones," which contrast with the current design preference for warmth and depth in interior projects. Furthermore, chrome is prone to showing water spots and fingerprints, demanding higher maintenance to keep clean, which is another practical reason for its diminishing appeal. Ultimately, the consensus among these designers points to a broader movement towards more authentic, warm, and thoughtfully curated hardware choices that enhance a home's character without appearing mass-produced or dated. #InteriorDesignTrends #HardwareFinishes #HomeDecor #DesignAdvice #OutdatedDesign #AuthenticityInDesign #MixingMetals #KitchenHardware #BathroomHardware