Mixing up metal finishes can add a lot of character to a room. Instead of having all your hardware and fixtures match, try blending two or three different metals like brass, bronze, nickel, copper, or chrome. This makes things way more interesting than having everything uniform in texture and colour.
We’d stick with just a couple of complementary metals – a warm tone like antique brass paired with a stainless steel or metal bed frame (pictured above Birlea Urban, available from Bedstar). Contrast is key. Matchy-matchy is dull.
Once you get the hang of mixing things up, it takes your style up a notch. Play around till you find a combo you dig. Mixing metals is an easy way to add an interior design edge to your bedroom and make a statement!
Make a Metal Bed the Star of the Show
Choosing an oversized metal frame is a killer way to kick off the mixed metals look. Industrial style calls for something beefy – iron, steel, brass, copper, you name it. Black metal finishes rock that urban vibe with the exposed beams and pipes.
A black wrought iron canopy bed makes a sculptural statement. Or go for gunmetal grey with an aluminium platform frame and built-in side tables. Try hammered copper or a bronze bed frame to glow against those broody grey walls if you want something warmer.
Pictured: Flintshire Oakenholt 4FT 6 Double Metal Bed Frame – Bronze. Price £289. Available from Bedstar.
Just make sure your metal mammoth fits the room size. Those giant loft-worthy frames overwhelm smaller spaces. Scale it right and let your bold bed set the tone for splashing metallic accents around the rest of your pad.
Incorporate Supporting Metals in Lighting and Accessories
Once your metal bed is anchored, add some supporting metals to the lighting fixtures, hardware, and other accessories to create cohesion.
Match some metallic finishes and throw in a few complementary contrasts. Overhead pendant lamps are a fun way to introduce another metal beyond the bed frame. For example, combine a brass bed with steel-grey pendant lights and chrome table lamps.
Regarding hardware like drawer pulls, doorknobs, and hinges, unify some elements but diversify others. If using stainless steel bar pulls for the dresser, try matte black cup pulls for the closet. Varying metal textures also help create depth and interest, so combine glossy chrome hooks with hammered brass towel racks.
Tabletop objects like trays, catchalls, and desktop sculptures allow you to pepper in metal accents of different sizes, too.
Balance the Metals with Neutrals
Pictured: Birlea Atlas 4FT 6 Double Metal Bed Frame – Cream. Price £249. Available from Bedstar.
Mixing metals brings plenty of razzle-dazzle on its own. Keep things from going over the top by balancing with neutral bedding, furniture, rugs – all the soft goods. Think crisp white sheets, cosy grey blankets, and warm camel pillows.
Natural wood furniture also chills out the industrial edge. The rich grain of a wood dresser or console table makes an earthy contrast next to a sleek metal bed frame. And remember the floors and walls. Concrete or wood panelling grounds the look.
Streamline with Careful Editing
Here’s another hot tip: restrain yourself from going full-on flea market. Clean lines, breathing room, and purposeful organisation will keep your industrial space feeling streamlined instead of chaotically cluttered. Carefully edit each element so that sweet balance beams through. The metals, neutrals, and wood should all high-five in harmonious glory. That’s the design dream – not a bunch of mismatched elements.
Punch Up With Accent Colours
While neutrals beautifully balance bold metals, feel free to pump up the volume with accent colours here and there. Vibrant hues connect back to the industrial style’s gritty colour. Think urban brick red, cobalt blue welder sparks, and sunny warehouse windows.
Splash some accent colour love on fabric items that are easy to swap. Patterned throw pillows, an abstract painted headboard, a shaggy tangerine rug – these create fun contrast next to serious metal elements. Colourful art prints also hold their own against those neutral walls and grounding wood accents.