How To Get A Luxe Metallic Look Working On A Budget

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While home trends like farmhouse and minimalist styles seem to remain prominent year after year, there's one unique trend that's often overlooked: metallic home decor. Whether you prefer bold, futuristic design elements or subtly reflective surfaces, mixing metallic finishes into your home is surprisingly easy to achieve on a budget if you're willing to roll up your sleeves and get creative. One budget-friendly way to incorporate a metallic look is by installing metallic wallpaper yourself instead of opting for a professional installation. You can also add statement decor with metallic touches, including wall art, a DIY vase, or even a picture frame with a metal exterior, for a low-commitment way to test out metallics.

Before jumping into this luxe trend, it may be helpful to understand how to mix metals in your home decor for the best results. Start by looking at the different types of metal finishes available, and choose one to be the featured metal for your space. You can also incorporate one to two other metals into the theme, but the tones should work well together with enough contrast to make them distinct while not being so dissimilar that they clash. Any more than two to three metal finishes can cause the space to look cluttered and feel unbalanced. The key to mixing metals is to keep your dominant and supporting metal tones consistent. If you opt for metallic hardware in a room, be sure to keep these the same and use a different finish for statement pieces instead.

Metallic wallpaper adds a dazzling look and helps reflect light throughout the space. You can use it to cover the entire room, pair it with wainscotting on the bottom portion of the wall, or create a metallic wallpaper accent wall. With the average professional wallpaper installation totaling just over $550, it's clear why some crafters opt to hang their own as a way to keep projects budget-friendly. Most of the steps are similar to hanging standard wallpaper, but the main challenge is making this shimmery material lie flat with no bumps or creases in the finish. 

Typically, you must apply the adhesive directly to the wall rather than to the paper itself when you choose a metallic design. However, it's important to review the instructions and tips from the wallpaper manufacturer. Some products may have additional steps or unique processes based on their construction to get that smooth, seamless finish on the wall. You'll also need to use a gentle tool, like a wallpaper brush, to smooth any imperfections. Be sure to remove leftover glue during the installation so it doesn't dry on the metallic surface. 

If hanging wallpaper seems a bit too challenging, you can always opt for a peel-and-stick wallpaper variety for both easy installation and removal. Looking for something a bit more dramatic and showstopping? Try using sticky tin tiles as a metallic wallpaper alternative for your space. These materials come in a wide variety of designs, similar to wallpaper, with an affordable price tag.

Jumping on the chrome and metallic home decor trend doesn't mean you have to take on large renovation projects like adding wallpaper to your home. Instead, add metallic decor pieces to each room to tie in this luxe design style gradually to see if it's right for your home. Look for metallic tabletop decor like a glittering gold sculpture or a coppery vase. You can swap out cabinet hardware to feature matching metals. Metallic picture frame add to the dazzling decor on your walls. If you don't have a metal picture frame on hand, grab a can of Rust-Oleum metallic spray paint for an inexpensive way to switch up the look of a wood frame.

The best thing about making the small investment for metallic spray paint is that you will have leftover product to use on other projects. Transform decor pieces you already have with a coat of the spray paint, or head to the thrift store to find secondhand items with a good shape that simply need a metallic makeover. You can create a gleaming side table for your living room by refinishing a small wood table with metallic paint, for example. No matter what method you choose, plan out your design and be mindful when mixing metals for a cohesive final look.