Matching every handle, knob and tap used to be the safe choice. Today the most interesting kitchens and bathrooms mix two or three finishes, on purpose. Here's how to do it so it looks intentional, plus six pairings from our brass and marble ranges that work every time.
Five rules for mixing metals
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Choose a lead finish
Pick one finish to do most of the work, around two thirds of the hardware, and let the second finish play a supporting role. A 50/50 split tends to look undecided.
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One finish per job
Keep each type of hardware in a single finish. All the cabinet handles in one, door handles or tapware in another. Mixing finishes along the same run of drawers is where it starts to look accidental.
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Repeat it at least twice
Every finish in the room should appear in at least two places, such as handles and a pendant, or knobs and a mirror frame. Repetition is what makes a mix feel planned.
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Warm with warm, or warm against cool
Two warm tones, like Antique Copper Brass and Antique Brushed Bronze, give depth. A warm tone against a cool one, like Satin Brass and Matte Satin Nickel, gives contrast. Both work. Three cool tones rarely do.
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Let stone be the bridge
A marble handle picks up the colours in your benchtop, splashback or tiles and links your metals together. One or two pieces of stone hardware on an island or vanity can pull a whole room into line.
Six pairings that work
01
Light and fresh
Satin Brass, Matte Satin Nickel and Arabescato marble
The brightest of the mixes. Satin Brass brings warmth, Matte Satin Nickel keeps it crisp, and Arabescato ties the two together with its soft grey veining. It suits white and light timber kitchens, and bathrooms with white or grey tiles.
Try it: Use Milan Handles in Satin Brass on the kitchen, Milan in Matte Satin Nickel in the laundry or bathroom, and an Angel Marble Handle in Arabescato on the island or a feature cabinet.
02
Warm and layered
Antique Copper Brass and Antique Brushed Bronze
Two warm, aged tones that sit a shade apart. Together they look collected over time rather than bought in one go. This works beautifully with timber, terracotta and warm stone benchtops.
Try it: Run Flair Handles in Antique Copper Brass along the cabinetry, then switch to Monaco in Antique Brushed Bronze for the pantry, tall doors or appliance pulls.
03
Soft and earthy
Copper Brass and Travertine
Copper Brass has a gentle, rosy warmth, and travertine picks up the same sandy tones. It's a relaxed, natural mix for coastal homes, limewash walls and oak joinery.
Try it: Use Halo Handles in Copper Brass on drawers and doors, with Angel Marble Handles in Travertine on a vanity, island or open shelving.
04
Moody and rich
Antique Brushed Bronze and Verde marble
For darker spaces. Antique Brushed Bronze has a deep, matte warmth, and Verde marble adds a jewel-toned green with fine white veining. It's made for navy, forest green, charcoal or dark timber joinery.
Try it: Pair Monaco Handles or Knobs in Antique Brushed Bronze with Angel Marble Handles in Verde on a bar cabinet, butler's pantry or powder room vanity.
05
A statement
Satin Brass and Viola marble
Viola marble, with its burgundy and violet veins, is a showpiece on its own. Satin Brass keeps everything else calm so the stone can lead. Use it where you want people to stop and look.
Try it: Put Angel Marble Handles in Viola on one hero piece, such as the island, a bathroom vanity or a sideboard, and Halo Handles in Satin Brass across the rest of the room.
06
Quiet contrast
Antique Copper Brass and Matte Satin Nickel
Warm against cool. The easiest way to use this mix is by job: one finish on the cabinetry, the other on the doors. It keeps a whole house feeling connected without everything matching.
Try it: Choose Milan Handles in Antique Copper Brass for the kitchen, and Stripe Internal Door Handles in Matte Satin Nickel through the hallways and bedrooms.
Common questions
Can you mix brass and nickel in the same room?
Yes. It's one of the easiest mixes to get right. Use one for the cabinet hardware and the other for tapware or door handles, and repeat each at least twice in the room.
Do my handles need to match my tapware?
No. Many designers deliberately choose a different finish for tapware so the cabinetry hardware stands out. Just keep all the tapware in the room in one finish.
How many finishes is too many?
Two or three in one room, counting marble as one. More than that and the eye doesn't know where to land.
Can I mix handles and knobs in different finishes?
You can, but it's usually cleaner to change the finish by area rather than by type. For example, the island in one finish and the perimeter cabinets in another.
How do I know two finishes will work together?
Order finish samples and hold them against your benchtop, door colour and tiles in natural light. It's the quickest way to be sure.
See the finishes together
Our 40mm finish samples are $5 each, or visit our Wetherill Park showroom by appointment. You can also email a photo of your space to info@zanohardware.com and we'll suggest a mix.
Order finish samplesRead our design guide
