Here's how to mix metals in your kitchen for a fresh look

The days of the same metals in every kitchen are done. Today, the most stylish kitchens mix metals. Matchy-matchy is over—your cabinet knobs don't have to be the same finish as your faucet. In fact, it's more interesting if they're not. As HGTV and Netflix designer Genevieve Gorder puts it, mixing metals "makes a kitchen look more designed."

You may crave a designed kitchen but can't figure out how to mix metals without making it look like a mistake. And there are metals on the scene now that you might never have considered: copper, matte brass, matte bronze, and matte black. Where do you start?

1. Change the look with new cabinet pulls

The least expensive way to bring in different metal finishes is by switching out knobs and pulls. Interior designer Gretchen Black of Gray House Design says that “People love to express themselves. You can have fun with cabinet pulls.” Replacing stainless steel hardware with black or copper makes a huge difference. When styles move on, cabinet pulls can be cheap and easy to replace.

2. Buy an appliance in a new finish

If you are replacing an older appliance, you have a great opportunity for the latest metal finishes, as well as all the new performance and energy improvements you can expect from a modern appliance. You might be ready to welcome Samsung's new Tuscan Stainless kitchen appliance finish, the latest neutral. It's still stainless steel, but the undertone is earthy brown, not the usual chilly gray.

As kitchen color trends are getting warmer, the new finish coordinates beautifully. The company is also introducing laundry machines in a Champagne finish, "Laundry is moving out of the basement and into the pretty part of the home," according to Gorder.

The GE Cafe line of appliances let you customize a stainless, matte white, or matte black fridge or range with hardware in brushed bronze, brushed black, brushed stainless, and the company’s signature brushed copper—it’s stunning. The copper "cuff" on the handles was inspired by a chef's favorite copper pans.

3. Choose a metal light fixture

Lighting takes planning, and you’ll almost certainly have a pendant or two hanging over the kitchen island. Moen, the kitchen fixture company, reminded us to keep sets consistent. “Whenever you have two sets of fixtures, maintain the same finish.” That means if you have two identical pendants, make them the same color. For a more interesting look, buy one fixture that incorporates two metals.

4. Some other ways to mix metals

Appliance handles

If your kitchen appliances are from different companies, chances are the handles are different styles. But you don't have to buy a new appliance to get a change of handles. Belwith-Keeler is a company that sells swank (pricey) replacement handles for appliances. You can choose different metals or stick to the same metal handles in updated shapes. Your kitchen will thank you either way.

Accessories

Open shelving with a display of metal objects is an easy way to begin to mix up the metals in the kitchen. It’s fine to bring in new metallics a few at a time. See how you like it, and if you feel comfortable, add more.

Texture

When it comes to mixing metals, the texture is as important as the color. Not everything should be shiny. Gnurled handles on refrigerators, hammered treatments on sinks, brushed finishes anywhere, or a great patina can stand out in an attractive way. You enhance the metal finishes by changing up the texture.

Don’t be afraid to mix metals in your kitchen. The goal is a curated look. According to Gorder, "Matching isn't better." So, get ready—with so many metal choices available, you don't have to choose just one.

Read more: How to integrate black stainless steel into your kitchen