Mixing Metals: A Guide to Coordinating Hardware and Fixtures in the Kitchen

Your kitchen’s finishing touches can have just as much visual weight as larger investments like custom cabinetry. To complete your looks, you will want items like drawer pulls and faucets to meld with the atmosphere, not stick out like a sore thumb.  

Success in this area comes down to mixing metals correctly. Learn how to do this and more in our guide to coordinating hardware and fixtures in the kitchen.  

Hardware and fixtures checklist 

When we discuss hardware and fixtures in the kitchen, this is what we’re focusing on: 

Kitchen hardware  Kitchen fixtures 
Door knobs  Sinks 
Cabinet knobs and handles  Faucets 
Drawer pulls  Range hoods and exhaust fans 
Latches and hooks  Lighting 
Hinges  Plumbing 

 

brushed metal samples

Color vs. finish 

Coordinating hardware and fixtures has less to do with the classic “gold or silver” debate than you think.  

In fact, as we’ll explore in more detail later, sticking to one color family can be a detriment to your kitchen. You have to consider the finish as well as your overall style.  

Finish refers to the type of treatment or coating on a metal. It controls how reflective it is and lends itself to particular design families. 

Here are different metals, their approximate color category, and finish options for hardware and fixture metals. 

Metal colors 
Copper  Orange 
Brass  Yellow 
Bronze  Orange-brown 
Gold  Yellow 
Silver  Gray 
Stainless steel  Gray 
Chrome  Gray 
Nickel  Gray 

 

The finish of the metal impacts the depth of the color a lot, especially the gray metals. For instance, there’s a whole spectrum of silvery to charcoal shades to be found in different nickel finishes 

Metal finishes 
Polished  High shine with a reflective surface 
Brushed  Subtle sheen with a slight grain texture 
Satin  Smooth with muted shine 
Matte  Flat with no shine or reflection 
Distressed  Aged and irregular with natural imperfections 

 

Types of kitchen styles 

Here are several of the most popular kitchen styles. Knowing which one(s) are closest to your vision is a very convenient first step in choosing hardware and fixtures. 

Don’t forget to bend the “rules” a bit. Treat a style as more of an inspiration instead of an instruction manual to make the kitchen authentically yours.  

farmhouse kitchen modern

Farmhouse kitchens 

These kitchens are wildly popular because while they offer an inviting and cozy atmosphere, they also prioritize function and spaciousness. They feature white cabinets with open shelving, apron-front sinks, and personal touches.  

That’s great news in the hardware and fixture department. Because farmhouse kitchens mix classic and modern. Choose modern black matte, satin brass, or brushed nickel. 

contemporary style kitchen

Contemporary kitchens 

Open floor plans that combine the global past and present characterize these kitchens. Think modern stainless-steel appliances, recessed lighting, and bold Art Deco details.  

Contemporary kitchens are best for mixing metals if you stick to clean lines. Satin and matte finishes are popular choices here.

midcentury modern kitchen

Midcentury modern kitchens 

Vintage design with minimalist flare. Built-in appliances, slab-front cabinets, and plenty of finished wood (with visible grain but not rustic) loom large here. 

A brushed or matte finish on simple hardware works with mid-century modern. Alternatively, fans of this style go out of their way to procure authentic vintage hardware and fixtures. This can range from simple lines and curves to atomic starburst pulls in antique gold tones. 

modern style kitchen

Modern kitchens 

Neutral color palettes, quartz or granite countertops, and sleeker, uncluttered design mark modern kitchens.  

Hidden hinges and soft-close mechanisms are their preferred hardware. Low-profile handles and fixtures that adhere to a function-first philosophy fit well. The stainless-steel appliances found in modern kitchens lend themselves well to brushed finishes.  

industrial style kitchen

Industrial kitchens 

Industrial-style kitchens focus on exposed materials like brick walls, beams, and plumbing. It’s a style best for open spaces with large windows. 

Minimalism is key to industrial motifs. Think of simple hardware and fixtures in brushed or aged copper as well as matte black. 

cottage style kitchen

Cottage kitchens 

Cottage kitchens are frequently infused with other styles, such as French country or Mediterranean. In any combination, natural materials like wood warm up the space. 

Because these kitchens usually feature white cabinets or open shelving, most metals and finishes can work. The preference is usually to keep them low-profile, with spare-looking faucets and small pulls instead of handles.  

rustic kitchen style

Rustic kitchens 

Rustic style may be more your speed if you like cottage kitchens but prefer deep-stained wood and elements of rough, unfinished stone. Balancing the appearance of modern appliances with raw-looking materials is the goal here. 

Choose hardware and fixtures in bronze, copper, and even wrought iron. Finishes (or lack of finishes) that make the piece look aged or reclaimed are a plus.  

scandinavian kitchen

Scandinavian kitchens 

Scandinavian kitchens are a perfect style inspiration for those who feel cottage kitchens are cluttered and industrial kitchens are too impersonal. Pale palettes and natural materials stay. They’re enhanced by cleaner lines and a focus on quality. 

Many Scandi kitchens feature stainless-steel appliances. Brushed nickel and copper fixtures and hardware are welcome additions. 

Challenges with coordinating hardware and fixtures 

Here’s what to watch out for as we select the right metals for the best kitchen remodel. 

Aesthetic challenges 

Ultimately, our goal is to add just enough contrast for our choices to complement one another. We’ll cover this in detail coming up. Too much contrast and the intended style is lost. 

Functional challenges 

Using a mix of brands can lead to mounting and installation problems. It’s also important that the products function well for our abilities and lifestyle.  

Design challenges 

Making different finishes work, especially in the same color family, requires intention. The scale of each component matters, as does mixing different styles (modern with traditional). 

Budget challenges 

Most people have to watch their spending when choosing hardware and fixtures. But sticking to the most budget-friendly brands substantially narrows down our options.  

It’s okay to compromise and go for the second-best option because of the cost. Once you understand key coordination principles, it can be done at any price.   

faucets metal finishes

Tips for coordinating hardware and fixtures in the kitchen 

Let’s put some of this knowledge and theory into practice. Here are your essential tips for balance in hardware and fixtures. 

Focus on design 

Consider a traditional piece of hardware, such as a drawer handle. This one is a piece of polished brass with a scroll motif. You spent weeks tracking it down to match your polished brass faucet. 

The catch is that the polished brass faucet is a minimalist design. You’ve got the metal and the finish perfectly matched, but they do not coordinate. This is a case where we should be mixing metals, which brings us to our next tip. 

Some contrast is perfect 

We’ve come to understand that the minimalist faucet of polished brass would live much more harmoniously in the kitchen with sleek, simple hardware. Minimal, geometric black matte or brushed nickel hardware would be an improvement despite the different finish.   

That’s because maintaining that look outweighs matching metal or finish when it comes to clean lines. It exudes personal taste and style that makes sense rather than a plug-and-play design scheme. 

Avoid too much contrast 

The dark matte hardware next to the polished brass faucet adds just enough contrast to remain interesting without overwhelming. But we can’t continue tossing color and finish out of the window. 

Once you have a few options, continue incorporating those into the kitchen without deviating further. For instance, a polished brass linear light fixture and matte black tile backsplash coordinate with those other elements and serve the style.  

matching fixture hardware kitchen blue

Make matching work  

There’s nothing wrong with wanting chrome cabinet hardware to match your chrome faucet. Creating contrast between the two isn’t a rule. However, if you add much more similar but different metal here, the look will fall apart. For example, a stainless-steel counter won’t look like it truly belongs next to that fixture and hardware. 

For a true match, focus on the undertone. Cooler tones complement chrome. A gray granite countertop would pair well.  

Try a butcherblock counter if you want to match your hardware and fixtures but also leverage contrast. The natural texture and appearance can make your favorite metal pop and vice versa.  

Don’t forget hooks, hinges, and other details 

This can trip you up both while you’re attempting to match or create contrast. Stick to one type of metal per item.  

For example, chrome hardware on a cabinet with visible brass hinges is confusing. A small component like a hinge can go unnoticed if it’s in the same color family. It stands out in a bad way if it doesn’t

stainless steel stove brass hardware

Bonus: Tips for coordinating kitchen fixtures and hardware with appliances 

Appliances are some of the largest components of a kitchen. Here are a few hints and examples of how we can bring them in to further tie your kitchen design together. 

  • Stainless steel appliances: Focus on the finish and choose other brushed metals. The similar buffed, glowing grain will work with nickel and brass alike. 

  • Black appliances: Consider black matte or polished hardware and fixtures first. If cabinets are dark as well, consider polished or brushed silver tones. 

  • White appliances: Chrome, brass, and copper are best. Experiment with a high-shine polish to pair with white; opt for brushed if it’s too blinding. 

  • Copper and brass appliances: Choosing copper or brass hardware and fixtures is a great way to root similar appliances into a design. If contrast would work better, choose matte or polished black. 

Start exploring designer details for your kitchen remodel 

Coordinating hardware and fixtures in the kitchen requires a base knowledge of metals and finishes to apply to your preferred style.  From there, we must balance aesthetics and budget. The best way to do this is to give yourself plenty of options. 

The Designery can help. We specialize in custom hardware and other finer details that enhance the look and function of your kitchen.  

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