Metallic accents add subtle and sophisticated elements to any room; whether used to elevate modern wood tables or add vintage glamour in rustic bedrooms. But too many metallic pieces may become visually overwhelming and appear cluttered.
Here are a few tips that will help you achieve a polished and harmonious balance when decorating with metallics.
Color
Integrating metallic colors is an effective way to elevate the aesthetic of any room in your home. Gold and silver hues are traditional choices; bronze and brass add sophisticated sheen as well. When selecting metallic accent colors for your furniture or room’s overall color scheme – copper works great with warm tones while nickel or silver may work best with cool ones.
Hudson & Crane suggests choosing one dominant metal color and then selecting pieces to complement it when mixing metals in your space. Mixing too many types can leave it looking disorganized and visually unpleasant.
MyDomaine suggests adding metallic pillows and throw blankets as another way to instantly upgrade your living space. They’re easy to switch out seasonally for something different and will bring in instantaneous change that enhances any ambiance.
Shape
Metallic accents come in all shapes and sizes, making them a quick way to add interest to any room. Popular metallics include gold, silver and bronze – but more industrial metals such as copper or iron may also work as decorative accessories. Metallics can bring old-world or rustic charm into a contemporary space as well as offer contrast against more contemporary stylings.
Kraiem suggests pairing shiny accents with soft textures like marble to help offset their shimmer and create an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere in any room.
Decorating with metallics requires using complementary hues of one hue to add depth. For instance, mixing gold and silver together can produce more dramatic results than using two distinct metals together in the same space. Warm and cool metals may be combined – as long as one hue remains dominant.
Size
Metallics can add a modern touch to a traditional home by being used sparingly – silver trays or Lucite drawer pulls are good examples – or as the centerpiece, like in the form of a hammered iron chandelier. According to Kraiem, metal pieces offer the ability to integrate easily with all sorts of finishes and textures, providing an update from traditional decor.
Metallic accents can add dimension and sophistication to a space, yet if not properly utilized they can become overwhelming and overdone quickly, advises Gather Home and Design. Therefore it’s essential that when adding metallics they should be done so with intention – both when choosing where and when they will be utilized.
Warm metallics like brass or copper work best when placed alongside neutral hues and warm accents; on the other hand, stainless steel works great with white hues. If you want to mix warm and cool metals together in one space, make sure they are distributed evenly for maximum impact and intention.
Placement
Metallics add an eye-catching element to any room, but you should always plan ahead when adding metallics into your decor and design scheme. Otherwise, this sophisticated space could quickly turn into an eye sore!
Start off small when adding metallic touches, such as picture frames, lamps and trays – they’re easy to swap out so that you can find just the right balance before investing more permanently in metallic accents.
Home Beautiful suggests selecting metal accents that complement your current color palette in your home, for instance if your room features rich browns and organic textures such as natural fibers, gold and bronze accents can add the perfect touch of sophistication and opulence.
As stated by Hudson & Crane, mixing different metals is acceptable as long as they are used to contrast one another in your decor. For instance, an eye-catching silver light fixture can be balanced out by using brass or iron accents elsewhere in your space to complete your aesthetic.
