Six ways to use cool metallics in your home

Cool-toned metals such as stainless steel, chrome, nickel and aluminium are definitely having a moment. Now I’m not one to follow trends, and I firmly believe in investing in homeware that will stand the test of time – but despite their current popularity, I think cool metallics fit into that category. In fact they’ve been a favourite of designers for decades, and even with the recent rise of warmer options like brass, copper and bronze, they’ve never really gone away.

Silver metals have always played a role in my own home, too. I love using them to introduce a bit of textural contrast, which can transform a space from bland to beautiful in seconds. Having a few touches of sleek chrome and steel balances out the prevalence of organic materials such as wood and linen, and I like the juxtaposition of a gleaming metal surface alongside rustic oak and soft textiles. And cool metallics really needn’t be brash or gaudy – done well, they speak of understated luxury and quiet sophistication rather than flashy glamour.

If you want to introduce some cool-toned metals into your home, here are six easy ways to do it. I’ve also included some of my favourite cool metallic designs, all with timeless style that means they’ll look great for years to come, no matter what trends come and go.

accessories

Small home accessories are a subtle and cost-effective way to weave a few cold metal elements into your decor. There are some beautiful candleholders, sculptural objects, vases and carafes made from chrome, stainless steel and the like, including iconic design classics such as the flowing ‘HK’ pitcher, designed by Henning Koppel for Georg Jensen in 1952.

Don’t be afraid to mix metals if you already have items made from brass, bronze or copper – things don’t need to match, and a selection of cooler and warmer tones together can look absolutely stunning.

Above: stainless-steel and chrome accessories, including New Works’ ‘Aura’ mirror and ‘Ripply’ candleholder and Georg Jensen’s ‘HK’ pitcher, on my shelves

Lighting

Lighting is another great way to dip your toe into cold metallics without going overboard. As metal surfaces reflect light, even a small lamp can have a big impact. And there are lots of designs to choose from, whether you prefer something simple and clean-lined or a curvaceous, almost sculptural design. Whichever you opt for, contrast is key – a stainless-steel lamp on a wooden table, or a mirror-polished pendant against a matte wall, will look much better than metal against another shiny material.

Above: Audo Copenhagen’s ‘Wing’ aluminium floor lamp and Ferm Living’s ‘Meridian’ brushed-steel portable lamp alongside matte textures and organic materials

Small items of furniture

If you want to go a little further, try introducing one or two small metal furniture items to offset larger pieces made from warmer, more textural materials – perhaps an aluminium side table by a linen-covered sofa, or a chrome stool by a gnarled wooden desk. Furniture with a mirrored finish is a great choice for compact or dark rooms, as its light-reflecting quality can make spaces appear brighter and larger than they actually are. Brushed metals, meanwhile, create a softer feel, allowing you to incorporate cool-toned pieces in a slightly more subtle way; they’re also less likely to show fingerprints and so work well in busy areas that get a lot of use.

Above: Frama’s ‘Triangolo’ chair and Audo Copenhagen’s ‘Androgyne’ side table in stainless steel

One statement piece

If you want to try something bolder, think about adding a statement cold-metal piece – one eye-catching design that stands out against the rest of your furniture and brings an element of the unexpected. It’s a tactic I’ve used in my own home, where a chrome Harry Bertoia ‘Diamond’ chair forms a focal point in the bay window of the living room, contrasting with the textural upholstery of the sofa and the open grain of the oak plinth to its side.

It takes a bit of confidence to introduce a statement piece, but get it right and it can really make a space sing.

Above: the Harry Bertoia ‘Diamond’ chair in my bay window, plus Danish brand AYTM’s ‘Speculum’ mirrored coffee table

Furniture with cold metal elements

There’s an array of furniture designs that incorporate cold-metal legs or frames alongside other materials, giving you that all-important textural contrast in one go. I covered one of them, Carl Hansen & Søn’s beautiful paper-cord and stainless-steel ‘PK1’ chair, last month, but there are all sorts of other options, from marble coffee tables on aluminium bases to sofas and armchairs with chrome legs.

You can also transform existing pieces of furniture with cold-metal legs, especially if they’re from IKEA – Superfront and Pretty Pegs both have great selections.

Above: Carl Hansen & Søn’s paper-cord and stainless-steel ‘PK1’ chairs in my dining room

Fixtures and fittings

Recent years have seen black and brass become the go-to options for taps, showers and the like, but chrome and steel are classic choices that will always look good. They’re ideal for adding a touch of cold metallics to a kitchen or bathroom, and they work with all kinds of styles, from contemporary to traditional.

Don’t underestimate the impact of door handles, wall hooks and other hardware, either. Something as simple as switching your kitchen cabinet pulls or adding new knobs to a wardrobe or chest of drawers can make a big difference, allowing you to introduce different materials without a major spend.

Above: chrome and stainless-steel taps, accessories and cabinet pulls in my kitchen and bathroom

Timeless cold-metal designs

1. New Works ‘Aura’ stainless-steel table mirror, £44.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
2. GUBI ‘Semi’ pendant lamp in chrome (available in 30cm, 47cm and 60cm diameters), from £309, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
3. &Tradition ‘Momento’ 1L carafe in polished steel, £100.83, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
4. Audo Copenhagen ‘Wing’ aluminium table lamp (also available as a floor lamp), £469, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
5. Georg Jensen ‘HK’ polished steel pitcher (available in 0.75L and 1.2L sizes), from £153.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
6. Iittala ‘Alvar Aalto’ bowl in stainless steel (available in 18.2cm and 35.8cm widths), from £38.48, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
7. Audo Copenhagen ‘Kubus 4’ candleholder in nickel, £152.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
8. Georg Jensen ‘Bernadotte’ stainless-steel vase (available in medium and large sizes), from £70.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
9. Cooee Design ‘Swoop’ candlestick in stainless steel, £30.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
10. Kristina Dam Studio ‘Curve’ side table in stainless steel, £452.94, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
11. &Tradition SC53 ‘Como’ portable lamp in aluminium, £167.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
12. Ferm Living sculptural decoration in stainless steel, £58, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
13. New Works ‘Ripply’ stainless-steel candleholder, £57.65, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
14. Lind DNA ‘Silhouette’ candlesticks in chrome (available in two sizes or as a pair), from £52.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
15. Audo Copenhagen ‘Etruscan’ jug (available in 10cm, 30cm and 33cm sizes), from £67.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
16. &Tradition VP11 ‘Wire’ stainless-steel stool / side table, £150, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
17. GUBI ‘Multi-lite’ table lamp in chrome (also available as a floor lamp, a portable lamp and a pendant), £544.66, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
18. New Works ‘Pleat’ stainless-steel carafe, £64.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
19. Cooee Design ‘Ring’ book rest in stainless steel (available in 10cm and 15cm sizes), from £21.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
20. Fritz Hansen ‘Night Owl’ lamp in polished steel, £358.50, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
21. Georg Jensen ‘Helix’ 1L stainless-steel thermos jug (matching milk jug, sugar pot and teapot also available), £112.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
22. ‘TUVHÄTTA’ stainless-steel serving plate, £5, IKEA
23. Audo Copenhagen ‘Column’ portable lamp in aluminium, £130, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
24. Stoff Nagel candleholder in chrome (available in various sizes and configurations), from £15,90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
25. Frama ‘Triangolo’ chair in stainless steel, £1,007.00, Skandium
26. Ferm Living ‘Meridian’ portable lamp in brushed steel, £152.43, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
27. Cooee Design ‘Knot’ table decoration (available in small and large sizes, and light and dark silver), from £21.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
28. Audo Copenhagen ‘Androgyne’ side table in stainless steel, £415.00, Royal Design

Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly.

Images one-three, eight and 10-13 by Abi Dare; all other photography via the brands mentioned above