3 Mixed Metal Bathroom Design Combinations
Are you hesitant to use mixed metal bathroom fixtures in your home? Mixing metals is becoming more and more popular in interior design, and there’s no better place to experiment with this design trend than in a bathroom: hardware, plumbing fixtures, and lighting all provide beautiful opportunities to mix metals!
Mark Twain once said, “Life is short. Break the rules.” And while he was likely referring to something more dramatic than different metal finishes in your home 😉 , I’ve recently been taking the principle to heart.
We’ve owned quite a few homes in our 16 years of marriage, and I’ve played it pretty safe with our bathroom renovations and fixtures in the past. Some of those design choices were related to our budget and the current bathroom design trends, but I’ll admit that some of the choices were related to a fear that choosing design trends outside of the safe ‘rules’ would keep us from getting the maximum return on our home when we went to sell.
As many of my readers have noticed (and asked about), though, I’m rebelling. In our three most recent bathroom renovations, I’ve decided to step outside of the safe-zone and play with different metals for faucets, shower heads, lighting, wall mirrors, and light fixtures.
I think people are less concerned these days with formal design rules, and as a lover of mixed metals, I’m taking advantage where I can. With so many reader questions, I thought it might be helpful to share some design inspiration and tips on how to mix metals in your bathrooms.
Mixed Metal Inspiration
There are so many different fixture metal options: gold and brass, chrome, polished and satin nickel, stainless steel, oil-rubbed bronze, and – with the rise of the modern farmhouse style – a bold black finish is popular, too. Interior designers are using mixed metals in kitchens and mudrooms, too.
For example, I love this soft neutral master bathroom with a focal point gold framed vanity mirror and chrome sconces and faucets by the very talented Studio McGee. The polished brass knobs are beautiful, as well. This would be such a cute look for a powder room, too!
And this modern farmhouse style bathroom by brilliantly creative Emily Henderson is playful with matte black as the dominant metal and polished nickel as the accent metal. The soft blue glazed subway tile offers a beautiful backdrop for the black metal wall lights and cabinet hardware, as well as a classic polished nickel sink faucet.
These angular antique brass sconces and matte black bathroom fixtures create the perfect modern bathroom retreat by Leclair Decor. The bold sink faucet really pops against the white counters, and I love the black leather cabinet pulls on the bathroom vanity.
How to mix metals finishes
You’ve got so many options with sink and bath faucets to play with mixed metal combinations, but you aren’t limited by plumbing hardware. Pendant lights, mirror frames, vanity hardware, wall sconces, door knobs, and even towel bars and toilet paper holders are great places to add some personality with mix metal finishes.
In my kids’ Jack and Jill bathroom, I use classic polished nickel faucets, but I also installed a burnished brass sconce, gold cabinet vanity knobs and pulls, as well as gold towel bars. You might even notice that I mixed in wood mirror frames and marble countertop designs to bring this bathroom to life! Play around with what inspires you in your home decor!
GET THE LOOK:
Beautiful mixed metal combinations
The possibilities are endless, but here are some great combinations to get your creative juices flowing and step outside the matchy matchy to create depth and interest…
Black and gold
I haven’t actually used this combo in a bathroom yet, but I used matte black and aged brass in our kitchen at the ranch, and I’m in love! This might just be the next bathroom combo I’ll have to try. 😉
GET THE BLACK AND GOLD BATHROOM LOOK:
Polished nickel and gold
Polished nickel and gold is such an elegant combination because the warm undertones of the nickel goes so well with brass finishes. When we began designing our recently renovated master bathroom, I knew I wanted to incorporate polished nickel bathroom faucets and with gold accents.
In our marble tiled shower, I used polished nickel shower fixtures to create a timeless, classic look.
Our stunning gold chandelier is a beautiful contrast, breaking up all of the neutral marble tile and highlighting my new soaking tub. You’ll notice that the floor to ceiling Carrara marble and glass doors, as natural materials, serve as great canvases for these mixed metal finishes.
After living without bathroom mirrors for a long time before the remodel (the joys of renovating in stages!), I’m happy to have these modern farmhouse mirrors framed over our white painted double vanity. The brushed nickel hinges that we already had blend in well.
The warmth of the soft gold finish helps this mostly white transitional bathroom not feel sterile. Warm metals like copper and satin brass help create coziness. I also wanted to echo the frameless glass shower doors with these glass and polished nickel vanity lights. Later, I hope to add new gold cabinet knobs and drawer pulls to complete the look!
GET THE POLISHED NICKEL AND GOLD LOOK:
Black and chrome
And, because I love a more rustic-modern, traditional farmhouse flair out at Little Pax Ranch, I chose to do a bold matte black bathtub with chrome faucets in this attic bathroom.
For the solo vanity, I chose a bold modern black bathroom mirror and black bathroom lighting, rustic wood cabinetry, and a vintage-style chrome sink faucet. The cool metals, like chrome fixtures, are a beautiful balance to the black hardware. In this case, the different undertones complement one another.
GET THE BLACK AND CHROME LOOK:
Confidently Use Mixed Metals in your Home
Whether you are considering a small refresh or a major bathroom renovation, I hope these mixed metal combinations inspired you! You can feel confident about mixing metals with a style that is both trendy but classically beautiful. Which is your favorite? Share with me in the comments!
Don’t forget to pin it!
Fabulous, fabulous, and fabulous. what great ideas.
Thank you so much!!
Lots of choices so very helpful in my bathroom design. Thanks for posting such clear pictures.
So glad it inspired you, Barb!
I like your bathroom just the way it is and i think it’s good to be a little different.
Thank you so much, Marlene!
I love the navy blue vanity and gold fixtures. Is gold coming back – after I just switched out my kitchen pulls for silver several years ago?
Also, I’m wondering what the best type of metal is for bathroom shower fixtures? I don’t want to spend a fortune but want something that won’t leave water spots and show wear and tear.
Gold is having a moment and in some ways, stays classic! To avoid water spots, I find having matte or brushed finishes a bit better than glossy or shiny metal surfaces.
What do you think about pairing champagne bronze with oil rubbed bronze? We have the oiled bronze in our walk-in shower. Our vanity is dark with a light top. I thought champagne bronze Faucets and vanity hardware might perk it up a bit, but I’m not a designer. I don’t really want everything to be oiled bronze.
I think it can work! In older homes, most things aren’t matchy matchy and it can bring character to a space.
The house I’m buying has very dark cabinets with the oil rubbed bronze. I’m thinking of doing the champagne color as well. What would you suggest? The granite counter tops have hints of beige and grey. The kitchen backsplash is beige, which Im also thinking of changing out.
I don’t think mixing two metals! Champagne is warm and would look nice with the oil rubbed bronze.
Do you think I can have different metals for the sink faucet and the shower finishings? I am looking at doing a brushed gold for the sink faucets and a brushed bronze for the shower head and handle.
I do! I don’t think you have to follow any rules when it comes to mixing metals. I often find gold feels a little bold in the shower, but better with sinks and vanities.
How do you feel about mixing metals in the same color family but different finishes? For example, brushed nickel and polished nickel or chrome?
My husband says shiny faucets are a deal breaker for him because of had water spots and finger prints.
I was hoping to compromise with brushed nickel faucets, shower head, toilet paper holder and towel bar
But then I was hoping to do a polished nickel frames mirror, a glass shelf with polished nickel brackets, and polished nickel pulls on my charcoal vanity
The light fixture can go either way because the one I like has both finishes?
Could these work? Or will it look accidental!
I know how to mix contrasting metals but unsure about how to execute this!
Thanks
I am SO sorry I missed this question, Kelly! I just found some hidden in a side folder… my apologies. It may be too late, but I completely understand about the practicality need of brushed nickel faucets. They are easier to maintain. Usually, when I mix metals, I love to shift in both color and sheen. For example, if my black is matte, I like to do a polished gold. Or if my gold is brushed, I like a polished nickel to complement it. But it’s not a hard and fast rule. I think that with the right choices (mirror, shelf, lights) you could use polished nickel as your decorative accent but still use brushed nickel on the water-sensitive areas. I hope this helps!
Thank you for this informative post. Just painted my powder room sea salt and I have oil rubbed bronze mirror, shelf and lighting. I want to add a white vanity and most have stainless steel faucets shown and knobs. Do u think oil rubbed bronze faucets and knobs or go with the nickel faucets and knobs.
I do! Try to keep it to two metals and you will be fine.
Do you have the link to your mirror in your master bathroom? The one posted does not work.
I’m so sorry, Jessica, but Wayfair keeps changing that product link! This is the most similar I’ve found in the 24×36, but here are two options in a slightly smaller size: option 1, option 2. I hope this helps!
Hi there!
Are the mirrors that you used in your Jack & Jill bath the same as the link shows? World Market?
Thanks!
Yes, they are! 🙂
Hi,
I am redoing a small guest bathroom. I had ordered matte black for the shower plumbing and sink faucet, however now I am wondering if an oil rubbed bronze (or venetian bronze – I think they are the same just different names) will wear better. Would you ever combine those two in the same small modern transitional bathroom? I’m doing a white (with a grey tone) picket tile with a charcoal hexagon floor. The counter will be carrera or white quartz. Thank you for your time.
Your bathroom sounds like it’s going to be lovely! Some of the oil rubbed bronze that I’ve seen really looks more black than brown. If that’s the case, then you could absolutely get away with it! But others are very brown and probably wouldn’t look great in a small space with matte black. When combining, I try to mix contrasting metals (like brushed gold and polished nickel) to be clear that it’s intentional. I hope that helps!
Love this post! So helpful! We are in the midst of remodeling our bathroom and plan to mix polished nickel with antique brass, with polished nickel being the dominant finish. A major issue we’re out running into is the ability to find shower doors (frameless sliding) with a polished nickel finished. They seem to not exist. What would you suggest we do in this case? We have have polished nickel faucet, shower trim, towel bar/hooks and antique brass mirror and vanity hardware. If we can’t find a sliding shower doors with polished nickel hardware, would a satin nickel clash?
Great question. We actually just ran into this with my parents’ remodel. Polished nickel shower doors do exist, but they’re few and far between and generally more expensive than brushed nickel. I think this is where you can just go with your gut and budget: either go custom (where you can definitely get polished nickel but will spend more $$) or go with brushed nickel and try to choose a door with the hardware will be minimal. We actually chose something called “stainless” for my parents’ bathroom, and while it doesn’t match the polished nickel, it feels kind of like a stainless steel appliance in the kitchen – utilitarian and neutral. I hope this helps!
Love your taste and design- exquisite!
Thank you, Karen!
I am currently renovating a bathroom and so far have ordered an antique brass mirror, polished nickel vanity light, faucet, towel ring, and paper towel holder. I will most likely get antique brass door pulls for the vanity. For the shower, I was wondering if I could do polished nickel shower head, etc. but do antique brass on the shower door hardware. Or should I do all polished nickel for all of the shower? Im just not sure about mixing the metals on the shower area.
Of course you can! If you search on Pinterest, you might find this combination to inspire you. I’d keep all of the plumbing pieces the same finish.
Thank you. I will look on pinterest.
I am currently building a new home with a modern farmhouse feel. I have brushed nicked shower faucets and rain shower and shower door. I was planning to put in brushed nickel sink faucets with my cabinets that are wood grain flat panel with white quartz countertops and black handles. Will have matte black light fixtures. Would that work? Do I have to use shower faucets and sink faucets from the same line? Should my towel bars be black or brushed nickel? Thank you
That sounds exciting! They don’t have to be in the same line, no. Mixing those two will be fine. I’d be more inclined to choose the traditional finish (in this case, brushed nickel) in the plumbing fixtures because they are harder to change. So I think you are on the right path. I am leaning towards black for your towel racks to balance out the BN in the shower. Hope that suggestion helps!
Thank you!
I’m remodeling my condo kitchen. My cabinets are white, counter tops are white Alamo granite, appliances are stainless steel and flooring is a light oak finish. I’m thinking matte black pulls and knobs, black faucet and black pendant lights with white and satin gold bands. I consider my stainless appliances as neutral but wondering if I’m using too much black. I value your good taste and suggestions.
Thank you
It sounds beautiful, Karen! It is a lot of black in a (perhaps smaller since it’s a condo?) space, but I think it will provide an elegant, dramatic contrast with the white cabinets. If you like all those elements, I say go for it! 🙂
If I were to eliminate a black, can you suggest a possible substitution? Thank you for your time and opinion.
If you want to keep the black, consider adding more of the satin gold on the fixtures to soften some of the features.
Thank you Rachel for all your very helpful tips as well as your beautiful decorating skills. I was perplexed about mixing metals as I have all polished chrome in the bathroom and bought a new medium oak rustic vanity (double sinks, tan granite top and off white bowls). Floors are off white tile as well as partially up the wall, sinks, tub and toilet are also off white. The scrolled handles are a bronze (which can be changed if necessary)
Question: What finish on mirrors (bronze or wood(either oval or rectangular) to tie in the bronze pulls, and I will need 2 over the mirror sconces (finish?) I am from the matchy-matchy era. My background paint is called Crocodile Tears (a geenish-yellow) I also use beautiful artwork & accessories. I am open for suggestions. Help!
It sounds like you are drawn to the richer, warmer tones of wood and bronze… so I would include at least one of those in the mirrors and sconces. I would probably try to incorporate chrome at least somewhere near the sink (faucets? sconces?) so that the rest of the fixtures don’t look accidental. I hope this helps!
I will definitely follow your suggestion. Thanks for your help! Enjoy your summer!🌞
Hi Rachel,
I just discovered your blog — it’s wonderful! Quick question — In our new home build, we just selected brushed gold for the cabinet/drawer pulls. I’m planning to select lighting in brushed gold as well. I want to go chrome or nickel on the plumbing. I read in another comment how you typically mix a brushed finish with a polished one. Do you have a recommendation as far as polished chrome or polished nickel when already using brushed gold? Thank you very much!
Alison
Both chrome and nickel are beautiful, but I tend to use polished nickel when pairing with gold as I believe it’s a bit more warmer in finish. Chrome is slightly cooler as a metal, but still lovely!
WOW – such great insight. What are you thoughts with a oil rubbed bronze light fixtures, handles, and pulls with a stainless steel faucet combination? Walls are Sherwin Williams agreeable grey, white cabinets and white with thin grey vain quartz counter.
Hi Paul, I’d probably recommend an antique brass over oil rubbed bronze, but try it out and see if you love it! It’s easy to change hardware.
Hi Rachel,
I’m currently in the process of remodelling the main bath. The soaker tub I ordered has chrome faucets. Charcoal grey flooring and tiled shower with chrome shower faucet as well. I have a black pendant light for middle of bath and a black vanity light. Is it ok to mix chrome and black or will it be too cool? Should I go with chrome sink faucet too? What’s your advice and suggestions for vanity mirror/towel bars? Thanks
Chrome and black can definitely be mixed! It does lean a bit more modern, but that might be perfect for your taste. It’s easiest to change non-plumbing fixtures, so go black there so you can change them in the future as style changes. Chrome is classic.
In your gorgeous marble bathroom with the polished nickel and gold pendant – did you use pol nickel door knobs? just in that bath? throughout the home?
I am riding the struggle bus with what to use on my door hardware and wanting to change them all since we are incorporating new three panel doors as well.
The entire home had brushed nickel knobs when we bought it, except for the bathroom which had crystal knobs with a small brushed nickel base to them. I decided to keep the crystal knobs in that bathroom since the brushed nickel was such a small part and it went with the knobs in the rest of the house. I understand the struggle!
Black and chrome is my favorite, it looks really slick and intentional in the way that it’s mixed. I am biased here because it’s what I picked for my bathroom finishes.
I also found that using an enamel white with chrome (like a cross-faucet vintage porcelain handles for a bath tap) can chill the chrome out a little.
TBH, not too crazy about mixing gold with polished nickel. I think the finish is too similar and it neutralizes the impact in a bad way. I prefer high contrast in mixed metal finishes because it looks like the designer has confidence in their choices.
Thanks for sharing some of your design choices, Mia! Black and chrome can look very sophisticated.
Hi! Just reading this post and is the gold chandelier still available? I couldn’t get the link to work. I love it! I want to use it in my master bathroom as well
Yes! You can find it here (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3p9lPTx