Style Spotlight: Metallic Finishes

From ombré to brushed gold, these twists on traditional metal tones will give your space a designer look.

Amanda Scott

Kitchen with gold, brass and stainless steel finishes.

When it comes to choosing finishes, homeowners often worry about choosing something different for fear that it might be a fleeting fashion. But the thing about trends is that they exist because we all get tired of looking at the same old thing—and selecting something new and different is a good idea if it’s something you really love.

This is why we love new metallic finishes in every tone. From brushed gold to black stainless to matte, they are a fantastic update to traditional metallics. Designers have gotten really creative with using these in many fixtures and we can’t wait to see what you do with them!

Fashion Finishes

Two bath faucets in matte black and rose gold. One bronze kitchen faucet.

Bold tones in faucets in and fixtures add a designer look.

Polished chrome and nickel have been popular for quite a while, but in recent years, we’ve seen rose gold, bronze, and matte black, along with satin, brushed and unlacquered finishes.

Kohler Sensate touch in rose gold ombre finish.

Ombré accomplishes dramatic flair while maintaining balance.

A brand new finish we are loving in faucets is ombré. This new finish uses a technique that melds two finishes to create a transition from light to dark. We’ve seen this used in lighting and decor previously, but this faucet style is brand new.

Elegant black and white bath with gold hardware, gold faucets and lighting.

Gold accents add a luxe look to a classic design.

The brushed gold trend is a look that isn’t going anywhere. It has evolved to include matte metallic finishes in gold, brass, and silver. This look can be seen everywhere from lighting and hardware to tubs and faucets.

Kitchen faucet, pot filler, bathroom faucet in unlacquered finishes.

An unlacquered finish gives your metals an antiqued look over time with every touch.

Unlacquered brass is a style we have seen more of recently. This is known as a “living finish” because it is untreated and will patina over time as it is exposed to sun, touch, oxygen, and other elements. It ages unevenly to produce a unique look. This finish has been seen in entryway hardware and some fixtures but is now available in faucets.

Undermount kitchen sink and modern faucet in black stainless finishes.

Black stainless combines classic black with a brushed finished.

Black stainless steel appliances have been available in the kitchen and we are now seeing this same trend in sinks, faucets, lighting, and hardware.

Find these new metallic finishes in fixtures for every space in your home.

Faucets

Bathtub faucet, bath faucet and kitchen faucet in brushed gold finishes.

Faucets are a necessary and often artful element.

Nowhere is form and function more apparent than in faucets. In the kitchen and bathroom, in your laundry room or home bar, faucets are not only practical, but can also be pieces of art.

The faucet is an ever-evolving fixture. Consistent innovations in design, style, functionality, and technology have made choosing a faucet an important decision in a room’s decor because it’s a focal point of the modern kitchen.

One of the first features we tend to notice about a faucet is its color. We are loving the newest metallic finishes like ombré and brushed gold.

Appliances

Black stainless fridge, oven and wine cooler.

Make a statement with an appliance in a bold finish.

The newest trend in kitchen appliances is color. From small accents to premium finishes, adding color with appliances can help boost the designer look of your kitchen. With more flexibility than ever, there is no reason everyone can’t have a customized look.

From the industrial appeal of black stainless steel to warm look of copper, the mix of shine and matte, bold neutrals, and new takes on black mean there is a shade everyone can appreciate. Set a stylish tone for your home from the start with gorgeous kitchen appliances.

Lighting

Black and gold geometric chandelier, matte black and wood pendant light.

Visual interest travels to new heights with metallic lighting.

The one thing every space in your home has in common is lighting. It’s one of the most important elements of a room because it serves both function and style. The available combinations of diverse materials, finishes, shapes, and sizes can be overwhelming. We suggest starting with a finish that gives your space a bold update, like matte black. But we also love brushed gold finishes for a new take on a timeless classic.

Mix Metals

Retro inspired kitchen with matte black, gold and black stainless finishes.

Dark metallic hardware stands out against light-colored cabinets while gold pendants complement the matte black.

Consider mixing metals as a way to keep your style more relevant. Matte black mixed with either brushed gold or satin brass is a great start. Keep in mind that having a certain finish in one space does not mean you must use it in every area of the house. Remember, updating your space is for your own enjoyment and combining trend with tradition to break some of those “design rules” will produce some of the most amazing results.