If you pay attention to current Chicago kitchen design trends, then you’ve noticed the uptake of mixed metal finishes. In the past, mixing metals was shied away from, but these days, eclectic kitchen trends are on the rise. Plus, the streamlined look of more modern designs creates the need for simple details to shine a little brighter – so mixing-and-matching metals is an answer to that.

Ideas For Mixing Metals in Your Chicago Kitchen Remodel

Here are some of the attractive ways we see contrasting metal finishes appearing in the same kitchen space.

Consider them with respect to your open floor plan

The continuing popularity of open floor plans means the need to consider the adjacent living room as well as the kitchen. If you want to have a bit of contrast between the two, this could mean using lighter metallic finishes on one side of the kitchen (brushed nickel or chrome) and then adding darker finishes (copper, brass or oil-rubbed bronze) on the other to complement the whole-view from whichever direction you’re looking.

Use different hardware on the island

There is no reason why the island has to match the perimeter cabinetry, or that one side of the kitchen needs to match the other (particularly with open concept kitchens…). As a result, we see plenty of Chicagoland kitchens that mix up the cabinet finishes and/or countertops between the two. Similarly, you can adorn each one with a separate set of cabinet hardware that complements their individual finishes but continues the contrasting interest you’ve started.

Vary the finishes from high to low

Have your heart set on a vintage or antique-style lighting fixture with a metal finish that varies from your preferred faucet and/or cabinet hardware? Not to worry; not only is it perfectly fine for lighting fixtures and cabinet hardware to vary, it adds beautiful contrast.

If the variation in finishes nags at you, consider integrating the metallic finish of the light fixture via similar accents in the backsplash or though countertop and open shelving accessories.

Create contrast with the appliances

Stainless steel appliances are trending right now, but that certainly doesn’t limit you to stainless steel-esque hardware. Feel free to use cabinet hardware in other metals to warm things up and provide visual interest. This is also a way to add traditional accents in a contemporary transitional kitchen.

Use different metallic finishes on upper- and lower-cabinetry

Another way to take advantage of your two favorite metals is to put one on the upper cabinets and another on the lower-cabinetry. Or, you can use one type on the drawers and one type on the doors. If you’re really interested in spicing things up, choose a varied mix of hardware and work with your designer to integrate them into your kitchen design for a fun, eclectic – but stylized – effect.

Integrate them with other accents

We hinted at this in an example above; but another way to make mixed metal finishes work is to integrate them with other accents. For example, if you have satin nickel kitchen faucet with oil rubbed bronze cabinet hardware, you can integrate them via a dark, wrought-iron fruit stand on the countertop, or window trim that resonates with the bronze hardware finish.

Interested in seeing examples of Chicago kitchen designs integrating mixed metal finishes? Visit us here in the showroom at Kitchens & Baths Unlimited.

Photo Credit: Kohler