In traditional design, mixing finishes was unheard of. In recent years, mixing finishes has become not just completely normal but incredibly stylish.
Mixing finishes is an excellent way to add dimension and visual interest to your home's design. We understand that finding the right balance of mixing finishes is difficult. That’s why we’ve compiled a guide to help you with your design choices.
Rule of Threes
In design, it’s always best to work according to the rule of threes. Items or decor in three’s is generally more pleasing to look at. Apply this to your room when choosing finishes.
Choose up to three different finishes if you have a particularly large room. Three different finishes provide just the right amount of visual interest before becoming chaotic. You could experiment with four finishes in a larger space, but even that could feel overwhelming.
Create Contrast
Consider taking risks in your design choices. If you aren't afraid of a bit of contrast, be bold with mixing your hardware finishes — or even your hardware designs!
Mix matte finishes with glossy finishes and cool finishes with warm finishes. You can create contrast without mixing finish colors.
Mix satin brass with satin black or nickel for those willing to push the envelope. Staying within satin or gloss allows you to play around with different color finishes more easily.
Mix and match different backplates with different knobs. Try mixing our Circlo knob with our Quadrato rosette backplate. The contrast of shapes is a simple way to create visual interest.
Best Rooms for Mixing Finishes
Regarding rooms where mixing finishes will make the most impact, kitchens have the most opportunity. Between cabinet hardware, door hardware, light fixtures, and faucets — the options are endless for experimentation!
To make the most of finishes in your kitchen, pick your favorite finish for a standout accent piece, like a beautiful faucet or kitchen island pendant lights. Use that finish as your main finish that other finishes will coordinate with.
Follow the same rule of thumb for your bathroom, which is an excellent room for mixing finishes. Remember that bathrooms tend to be much smaller than your kitchen, so limit the number of finishes you mix together.
A simple way to mix finishes throughout your home is through door hardware. Your interior door hardware for bedrooms and bathrooms can be one finish, but your entry hardware on the front and back doors can be different.
Our hardware has endless combinations of finishes and styles, so creating a look that's contrasting but cohesive is simple. To expand on your creativity even more, try experimenting with our hardware designer to create your own unique designs.
Mix Finishes in Your Home Today
Mixing finishes isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Long gone are the days when mixing finishes were considered clashing.
Need more tips on modern design? Check out our blog on choosing the right modern hardware for your home.
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