How to Select a Hardware Finish
It is a truth universally acknowledged: hardware pulls a room together. It might seem like a finishing touch that will blend into the room, but in reality, one hardware finish over another has the ability to totally change the space.
There has never been a better time to utilize hardware finish to make a statement as there are so many options: oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, brass, chrome, and matte black, to name a few. Here we will discuss the elements to consider when choosing a hardware finish to elevate a room.
Consider the Space
The first question to ask yourself when selecting the hardware finish for your room is should it stand out or blend in. If your space is primarily white with neutral tones, a cool, silver finish would flow nicely without taking too much attention. On the other hand, it can be nice to throw in a black finish when the space is white for a more dramatic, contrasting appearance.
Tone = Mood
When choosing the color of your hardware it is helpful to know what overall feeling you want to accomplish. The tone of your hardware will help determine the mood of your room. Do you want a clean, modern feeling, or a more lived-in look?
Warm colors such as bronze, brass, and gold lend to a classic, vintage look. Aged bronze is a popular traditional finish that lends the space a rich, antique appearance. Polished warm tones that provide more of a 90s feeling. Brushed warm finishes lean older and more rustic. We recommend the Lambeth Knurled Knob-Handle Widespread Gooseneck Faucet for a chic, vintage touch in your space.
Shades of silver such as nickel, chrome, and stainless steel bring a contemporary feeling to a space. Chrome, for instance, lends a sleek feeling that warm tones just cannot accomplish. Cool tones go nicely in spaces where cleanliness is the main priority such as a bathroom as it appears newer and less aged. We recommend the Lambeth Smooth Knob-Handle Wall-Mount Tub Fill for a bathtub that evokes a modern, elevated feeling.
Mix & Match
While some decorators opt to stay with one hardware color for the entire room, intentionally mixed medals can be striking. Mixing hardware provides a layered, lived-in look and brings a nice contrast to the room.
Not all mixes are created equal, however. For instance, cool-toned hardware tends to flow best with other cool tones and warm tones with other warm tones. Black mixes nicely with both cool and warm tones and works in both modern and traditional spaces.
Selecting a primary finish with accenting pieces of another finish is usually the way to go. This means coordinating metals rather than matching them. A good way to do this is make all the main fixtures in one tone but then mix another tone in through lighting and decor.
Show Us Your Hardware
Whether you use warm tones, cool tones, or mix and match, your choice of hardware finish can make or break your room. Show us on Instagram how you used your choice of hardware finish to accomplish your dream room.