How To Keep Chrome From Feeling Cold In Your Home

Even if your home is full of warm brass or copper metals, it's hard to deny the cool factor of cooler fixtures, like chrome. In fact, chrome hardware has made a recent revival, such as kitchen trends favoring the silvery metal with drawer pulls and oven hoods. The problem is that chrome hardware can look cold, leading to a sterile-looking and unwelcoming environment. That's especially the case when you pair the hardware with other cool elements, including paint, cabinetry, and other decor. When it comes to making chrome feel less cold, the secret is contrasting the cool shade with different elements, such as warm tones, mixed metals, and natural elements.

Like many things in interior design, having too much of one thing can overwhelm a space. In the case of chrome home decor, it can cause spaces to feel almost lifeless. (Think, establishments and restaurant kitchens). But when you balance chrome out, such as tastefully mixing metals, for instance, it can tame cooler tones while brightening up the space. Adding natural textures with wood furniture and decor can also breathe life into a space dominated by cool tones and chrome fixtures.

As mentioned previously, incorporating warm hues, natural materials, and organic shapes can help contrast the cool tones of chrome hardware. But exactly how do you employ that? Say your kitchen is decked out with chrome lighting fixtures, faucets, and drawer pulls. One way to provide contrast is by using colors to warm up the room. Warm neutral paint on the walls or cabinetry that's muted enough as a complementary backdrop can effectively balance out cooler tones.

In your living room, as another example, where you have chrome floor lamps, mirrors with a chrome frame, and cabinet hardware, you may consider contrasting the cool-toned hues with natural textures. For example, by incorporating wooden furniture and accents. Alternatively, try employing wool or cashmere rugs and throw blankets, or linen curtains to warm up the space.

If you're well-versed in the design world (or maybe just watch your fair share of home improvement shows), you might know about how mixing metals in your home can make a world of difference when it comes to contrast. To do this, you'll need to choose one dominant metal and a secondary metal as an accent within the space. In the case of chrome hardware being the dominant metal, you may use antique brass to complement it. For example, chrome pendant lights can work well with brass drawer pulls and knobs, especially when it has a natural patina.