From appliances and hardware to furniture and light fixtures, metal can be found anywhere in your home. We take a look at the five most common types of metals and metal finishes.

In this guide:
Types of Metals
Five Common Types of Metal Finishes
Frequently Asked Questions

Types of Metals

While there are many types of metals, below are the five most common options found in your home decor and furnishings.

Aluminum

Aluminum has a dull silver finish, making it similar in appearance to stainless steel. It is lighter in weight and more affordable than steel, but it isn't as strong as steel. While aluminum doesn't rust, it does oxidize – creating a chalky white residue. Aluminum is most often used in outdoor furniture and tends to work best with cool colors.

Stainless Steel

An alloy of carbon, iron, chromium, and other metals, stainless steel is found in furniture and fixtures throughout the home – from accent tables to kitchen sinks. Because of the chromium, it has corrosion resistance – it doesn't rust, oxidize, or corrode and is a low-maintenance material. It's much stronger than its look-alike, aluminum. Stainless steel is versatile and works particularly well with cool tones, but it can also fit in with warm tones. If you use stainless steel with warm tones, using other gray accent pieces can help the metal fit in better.

Brass

While shiny, polished brass was out of style for several years, matte, antiqued brass has made its way back into the home decor scene. A mix of copper and zinc alloys, brass can be made in various colors, such as red, yellow, gold, bronze, and brown. However, the most common color is gold. This metal is typically corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial – making it great for knobs and faucets. While it is corrosion-resistant, harsh cleaners can cause cracking. We recommend washing brass with mild soap and water. Solid brass can be expensive – look for brass plating for a budget-friendly price. Brass can be used to brighten a space with cool tones, and it mixes well with wrought iron.

Copper

If you want to brighten your space and include warm tones, copper is right for you. Using copper is a great way to add warmth to a white or neutral-toned kitchen or bathroom. Copper is reddish orange in color and is found on all types of decor and fixtures, such as lighting and sinks. It is resistant to corrosion and is antimicrobial. Look for copper on high-quality cookware because of its superior heat conductivity. Copper can acquire a patina of greenish blue over time due to oxidation. To prevent this from occurring (especially if copper is used outdoors), coat with beeswax or carnauba wax, buff with a clean cloth, apply a coat of linseed oil, and then cover it in lacquer.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron refers to metal that has been hammered or bent into shape as opposed to being cast or poured. Therefore, it has a rough surface. Since it is corrosion-resistant and durable, it is commonly used to make fireplace accessories, outdoor furniture, pot racks, rustic beds, lighting, and more. Wrought iron shines in a space that is mostly white or neutral-toned. Avoid using wrought iron in a room with lots of dark colors, as it will blend in with the space.

Should You Mix Metals?

When you’re decorating with metal, you can stick to the same kind of metal or use a primary metal with one or two accent metals. Think about the base colors in the room you’re working with: If your space has mostly dark tones, use bright metals to contrast. If your space is lighter in color, use black and matte metals. Similarly, if your room has mostly red tones, avoid using copper which will fail to stand out.

When you’re mixing metals, you can choose to stick to a cool-toned or warm-toned color palette, or if you’re comfortable, mix contrasting tones. Remember to create a color story with your metal – group similar metals together, such as using all copper knobs on lower cabinets and wrought-iron pulls on upper cabinets. This will make your design choices look intentional.

Five Common Types of Metal Finishes

Antiqued

This type of metal finish creates a surface roughness that appears to stand the test of time, often by darkening or tarnishing the metal. Antiqued metal works well in traditional, rustic, and French country homes.

Brushed

A brushed metal finishing is a matte finish that looks as if it has been smoothed with a paintbrush, leaving faint brushstroke marks on the metal surface. A brushed finish looks great in modern and industrial spaces. The brushstroke surface defects give the metal a unique character that can augment your space.

Hammered

It's as simple as it sounds. A hammered metal finishing has many small indents adding surface texture. Using this decorative finish can help you add detail to an otherwise plain space and looks great in French country homes and warmly decorated kitchens.

Polished

This metal finishing creates a reflective, mirror-like surface on metals. Metal polishing shows smudges and fingerprints more readily than other finishes. Polished metal is a common stainless steel finish that is found in many traditional homes.

Satin

This is similar to brushed metals, however, this type of finishing is smoother and usually does not have brushstroke marks. The sheen is between matte and polished. This softly glowing finish looks great in modern and mid-century modern homes.

Tip!

Need to upgrade your cabinet hardware? Check out How to Choose Cabinet Hardware to learn more.

You Might Also Need