Have you ever looked back on old photographs and thought to yourself, “what was I thinking”?
It happens to the best of us.
Things are constantly going in and out of style and sometimes it can be hard to keep up. That’s why when it comes to something as crucial as decorating your home you should be thinking about themes and styles that you won’t look back on in 20 years and wonder who allowed you to do such a thing.
Something that has always been timeless is metal, and metal wall art decor is one of the simplest ways to decorate your home in a way that’s sleek and chic and won’t have you questioning your taste when you look back on it in the future.
There are definitely some do’s and don’ts when it comes to decorating with metal, however, to ensure that everything in your home flows and matches.
The right amount of metallics can instantly make your entire home feel more glamorous, but go a bit overboard and people will wonder if the tin man lives with you.
Here are some great tips on incorporating metal into your home without feeling like you’re living inside a tin can.
Types of Metals
First things first, it's important to have a general idea of the different types of metals there are so you can get an idea of what you're looking for. If you're looking for some outdoor decor you'll definitely want to choose a metal that can withstand different types of weather, but if you're just looking for some indoor decor you can pretty much just focus on looks.
Here's some basics about the different types of metals:
Aluminum
Aluminum has a soft silver finish that often gets confused for stainless steel, however, aluminum is lighter and not as strong as steel, making it more affordable.
The good thing about aluminum decor is that aluminum doesn’t rust, however, it does oxidize which can leave behind a white, chalky residue.
It’s an easy color to match to and can be recycled easily.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is metal that has been heated and then hammered into shape, giving it more of a rough texture.
Wrought iron is typically used outdoors since it’s very durable, however, when used correctly, it can look beautiful in your home and give any room a rustic vibe.
A good tip when decorating with wrought iron is to try to avoid placing it in a dark room as it can blend in with the space.
Copper
Copper is very similar to bronze and has a reddish/brownish tone, resembling rose gold.
Copper is great for introducing more of a warm tone into your room, especially as an accent color in a kitchen. It also looks beautiful paired in a room that’s full of very neutral colors, such as whites, tans, and creams.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel, not to be confused with aluminum, is often found in kitchens (think: stove, fridge, microwave), but can be used as more of a decorative piece than a functional one in any home.
Contrary to its aluminum look-alike, stainless steel is a strong metal and will not oxidize. It’s very low maintenance and a perfect no-fuss metal to add to your home.
Stainless steel pairs beautifully with both cool and warm tones and even a small touch of it can make a huge difference to a room.
Brass
Brass has been a very popular metal to decorate homes with as it works with tons of different decorating styles.
Brass can be made into several colors, including yellow, gold, bronze, red, and brown. This makes it versatile and easy to incorporate into almost any room, regardless of the colors already present in that room.
Decorating with Metal Wall Art Decor
Now that you’re familiar with the different types of metals you can incorporate into a room, it’s time to start decorating.
It’s important to ease into the actual decorating part, however, as it’s easy to go overboard especially when it comes to using metal pieces.
Follow these tips to make the most out of your metal decor and turn your home into your dreamland.
Consider the Room
First, figure out what room you’re planning on sprucing up with some metal wall art decor. Take into account what colors are already in that room, such as the wall color and curtains. Is the furniture dark wood or light wood? Are your floors carpeted?
These details are all things that can make or break the look of metal wall decor if they’re not taken into consideration.
For example, if the room is full of warmer colors, metal wall decorations made of brass would flow beautifully in the space. And rooms that are considered to have a cooler color scheme would look great with stainless steel accents.
A great place for metal decor is outside, as metal is durable and can stand up to pretty crazy weather conditions. It’s also easy to clean! Pick up some removable siding hooks and turn your backyard into an outdoor oasis.
Start Small
If this is your first time decorating with metal decor it would be a good idea to start small until you get used to it. Think: small signs to hang or trinkets to place on a shelf.
Starting small gives you the freedom to play around with these pieces until you figure out how to incorporate them into your space. Smaller pieces are easier to find places for and spread out so you can avoid having too many metal pieces clumped all together in one spot.
Once you master decorating with smaller metal decor you’ll have the confidence to branch out to larger pieces, such as a big industrial wall clock that is all the rage lately, or even metal light fixtures in a dark area of your home.
Mix and Match Metallics
The idea that you can’t mix silver and gold is out of date. More and more we’re seeing different metal finishes being paired together and they can really compliment each other when done correctly.
For example, aluminum and wrought iron provide each other with great color contrast and will flow beautifully in the same room. And you’ve definitely seen black metal pieces paired together with gold time and time again.
Don’t be scared – branch out and experiment because it’s the only way to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
Pay Attention to Lighting
If you’ve added metal decor to your room but they’re still not looking right try playing around with the lighting in the room.
A warm, yellow light shining on silver metal, for example, can give off the illusion that the piece has some gold undertones in it, possibly making it match better in that room.
Don’t Go Overboard
Going off of our last tip, make sure you’re not adding too many different metals all into one room. A good rule of thumb is to try sticking to two or three finishes at most.
Think of what you’d like your main metal to be, and then find other metal finishes that compliment it. We gave you some examples above of what metals you should pair together. As for metal pairs you want to avoid, think of those warmer toned metals and try to avoid pairing them together as they can clash.
Play Around with Finishes
If you’d like to keep it simple and stick to the same type of metal there are still ways you can add a bit of versatility.
Try picking out pieces that are the same color but have different finishes, such as hammered, brushed, or glazed. By doing this you won’t have to worry about the metals matching because they’ll be the same color, however, the different finishes on the pieces will add some more dimension so it doesn’t feel overplayed.
The Beauty of Metal Wall Art Decor
You’re now equipped with all the necessary information to incorporate metal wall art decor into your home the right way. However, there’s still one thing you need – the actual decorations.
We offer a range of decor from seasonal items, to personal items, to your everyday items that will take your home from bland to chic in the blink of any eye.
Take a look at the indoor decor we offer and choose what pieces speak to you the most!