Which Metals Count Will Count?

With the 2026 Winter Olympics underway in Italy and the world obsessed with the gold, silver and bronze medal counts, our thoughts are on metals, too and the trends in finishes that will shape tomorrow’s lighting designs.

*Mixing metals, when done intentionally, adds sophistication and versatility to designs like this David Yurman bracelet.*

1. Mixing it up: “Once considered a jewelry faux pas, mixing metals is now a core jewelry styling choice — and the trend is poised to become even more prominent in 2026,” writes Matt Wodenka in a jewelry trends forecast from Jewelers Mutual. “… Mixing metals is also not confined to mixing different metals across different pieces. Designers are now intentionally blending metals within single pieces, such as rings with platinum shanks and yellow gold bezels, or offering modular components that can be worn interchangeably.”

A key to mixing metals, Wodenka says, is to ensure “the finishes are cohesive and the mixing looks intentional — not chaotic.”

Wowow, a source for kitchen and bath fixtures, sees a similar trend in its products, noting the growing popularity of combinations like “black with gold accents (and) gunmetal with brushed brass.”

Mixed metals play into a larger trend of consumers showcasing their personalities in their homes. Such finish combinations also have the added benefit of allowing lighting, hardware and other products to blend together in more confident, luxurious design, instead of a haphazard mishmash or a forced matchy-matchy look.

*As paint and wood hues warm up, metal finishes are following suit, as seen in the Art & Forge hardware in this kitchen.*

2. Getting warmer: As wood finishes and paint colors are moving from cooler to warmer tones, so are metals. Wowow notes that in kitchen and bath fixtures, “brass, bronze and other warm metals are staging comebacks.”

And Lindsay Thorton, founder of Cornerstone Design & Build, based in the Toronto metro area, agrees. Thorton thinks “black faucets and hardware are going to sit this year out. They’ve had their turn to wow us with their dramatic contrast but now their classier older siblings are coming out to play, and they are less heavy. When selecting the ‘it’ metal choices for 2026, look for warmer metals such as polished nickel, aged unlacquered brass, and champagne bronze for a lighter touch.”

Warm-toned metals also fit with a broader trend away from the austere, even cold minimalism that has dominated design for several years. They provide a comfortable bridge to more traditional, even maximalist designs.

Plenty of highly polished metals can be found in the marketplace but burnished and aged finishes are gaining ground. This Campo faucet from House of Rohl is available in Tuscan brass, as well as satin nickel and unlacquered brass, among other finishes.

3. Aging with grace: In keeping with a move toward warmer finishes is a renewed appreciation for patinaed metal finishes that add depth and interest.

“Instead of high-polished surfaces, (kitchen and bath) designers favor ‘living finishes’ that age gracefully, acquire patina and add subtle character over time — a trend tied to a broader desire for authenticity,” says Wowow in its latest fixtures trends report.

Cynthia and Rish Malhotra, founders of the hardware source Art & Forge, say they are seeing “a decisive shift toward dark and patinated finishes that bring depth and character to spaces. Think burnished brass, dark bronze and naturally oxidized metals that develop unique patinas over time.”

*The molten hoop earrings from Astrid & Miyu showcase the fluidity and adaptability of metals.*

4. More fluidity: The 2026 ASID Trends Outlook Report from the American Society of Interior Designers reminds the design world that to find their final form, metals go through a molten stage. “Metallic finishes are evolving beyond polished brass and chrome into more fluid, expressive interpretations that read as both sculptural and sensory,” the report says. Think “iridescent sheens, reflective textures and liquid‑like qualities.”

*On trend with a resurgence in gold fixtures, Kohler’s Bachata bathroom sink is available in its Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass finish.*

5. Going for the gold: Silver tones, particularly brushed nickels and antiqued silvers, remain popular metal finishes, but it’s gold that more designers — and those Olympic athletes — are striving for right now.

A Houzz kitchen and bath trends report says “gold finishes are getting a glow-up” and pointed to the importance of brushed bronzes and golds.

And luxury jewelry source McCaskill & Company points out that “warm gold tones were everywhere, from layered chains to chunky bangles,” on the red carpet at the recent Grammy Awards. “… Mixing textures and widths is a great way to emulate the layered, editorial style seen on the Grammy red carpet.” I’ll note that mixing metal textures and widths looks great in lighting, too.