When mixing metals, some designers recommend matching the sheen on your fixtures; i.e., if you're using polished nickel and brass together, you would choose polished brass rather than brushed. However, most interior designers agree you can safely mix shiny with matte–as well as warm with cool.
For example, a nickel accent can brighten a traditional bathroom, while matte black will amplify the sophisticated side of a transitional space. To balance the look, choose finishes with a similar hue, such as matching brushed nickel faucets with a matte brass mirror frame.
The short answer: Yes, you can! To add additional dimension you can mix metal finishes between your faucet, hardware, light fixture, shower handles, etc. A lot of designers play around with finishes in bathrooms and kitchens and in my opinion, it's just another layer to your design.
Black – Accent Metal
All of our door knobs and hinges in the house were already black, so we weren't adding another finish into the mix. We chose black for the 2 light pendants that hang over the island, and the 3 wall sconces above the sink. Since black is a neutral metal, it mixed perfectly with the warm nickel.
When paired with neutral tones like white and grey, Matte Black is perfectly suited for a contemporary or farmhouse design. Matte Black also looks great with colors like gold and other bright tones for a unique modern design. Matte Black looks really great with Delta's Champagne Bronze Finish!
Brushed Nickel is a cool-toned metal finish found in many lighting collections, from modern to traditional, but the brushed quality gives it a subtle warmth. Neutral color schemes, such as ivory, light brown, beige or slate, blend well with brushed nickel fixtures and create a soft yet contemporary effect.
Most interior designers prefer the uniform look that matching fixtures give so that the focal point of the room design isn't interrupted. For homeowners, this is considered a personal choice; however, the design rule of thumb is regardless of style, you want to use the same metal and finish for all hardware (fixtures).
A modern bathroom using just black and chrome finishes really stands out against the warm wood tones in the space. Anthology Creative Studio have mixed three metals in this beautiful bathroom. But even using three different finishes you can still simply the design by the styles of hardware used.
Don't Mix Two Metals in the Same Color Family
Mixing two metals that are in the same color family but have different undertones/sheens (for example, the combination of brushed nickel + chrome or the combination of shiny brass + brushed gold) is usually going to look like you tried to match your metals but failed.
Be sure to avoid using acid, alcohol, or solvent-based cleaners. These types of cleaners can ruin or discolor the more delicate surface of the brushed nickel finish. Vinegar is a popular faucet cleaning solution, but should be avoided on brushed nickel.
Metals are meant to be mixed, so don't worry too much about whether they'll “go together” and instead make sure each finish is a thoughtful addition to your space. That being said, if you have several metallic tones that look very similar but not identical, it'll look like a mistake.
The great news is, Matte Black bathroom fixtures are easy to keep clean, and with a few simple “dos and don'ts”, it will keep its beautiful matte finish for the life of the product.
Brushed nickel gets its slightly matte appearance from being treated with a wire brush. We're seeing more and more clients navigate towards a brushed nickel finish, and for good reason. This finish has a luxurious, almost hand-crafted aesthetic that hides water spots and fingerprints well.
One of the top growing kitchen design trends in 2022 is adding a brushed nickel finish to fixtures and faucets. Replacing a tired polished chrome faucet with an Americana Collection Two Handle Kitchen Faucet in brushed nickel will easily add a touch of refinement to one of the most frequently used spaces in the home.
Polished Nickel and Brushed Nickel differ in that Brushed Nickel has more of a textured, brushed over appearance whereas Polished Nickel has a smooth, high shine appearance. Delta's Polished Nickel also has warm undertones of pale gold, whereas Brushed Nickel has cooler silver tones throughout.
And, while you should feel free to mix metal finishes in your bathroom, most interior designers recommend selecting no more than three metal finishes for one room.
The toilet, tub, and sink are the three anchor points of your bathroom, so to make the room as visually appealing as possible, we do recommend that you choose matching colors and finishes for these three appliances. While there is a time to mix and match elements in the bathroom, we typically say this isn't it.
Yes, many of our clients have used a combination of Polished Chrome and Matte Black fixtures. In the kitchen there are plenty of stainless steel appliances like stove tops, ovens and rangehoods, so placing a Matte Black tap next to a Polished Chromes sink won't look out of place.
Shiny chrome is the most popular bath finish and comes with an affordable price tag. Nickel has a warmer tone and a more exclusive pedigree. Stainless steel, still the leading metal in the kitchen, looks indulgent in the bath, too.
The key to proper design is to universally communicate a message, so hardware and fixtures are key. Shelves, faucets and accessories should match, so be cautious that you're communicating the style and finish universally.
Does cabinet hardware have to match your faucet? No. But, traditionally kitchens and bathrooms will match hardware finishes to the faucet to tie the finishes in the room together. Matching cabinet hardware to your faucet creates a cohesive look.
Brushed nickel is for warm colors. However, brushed could go with cool colors in the right setting. For example, if you had a polished nickel freestanding tub filler, then a cool color backsplash would work. Remember this: brushed nickel is traditional and chrome is modern.
Brushed Nickel is essentially the same as traditional Stainless Steel. Delta sometimes uses the term Brushed Nickel to distinguish bathroom fixtures from Stainless Steel kitchen fixtures. Other companies, opt to use the term Brushed Nickel for both Kitchen and Bathroom fixtures.
Brushed nickel and stainless steel often look very similar, but the difference is in their underlying tone: brushed nickel tends to have a golden or brownish tint while stainless steel has a faintly blue tone.