Types of Metal Finishes and How to Choose One For Your Space
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One of the trends of the year is bringing metallic finishes to the interiors. Metals add a touch of glamor and luxury to any space.
And this time, we are not talking about traditional metallic fixtures like handles, door knobs, or water taps. The decorations are vintage mirrors in massive metallic frames, candle stands, vases, and even furniture pieces or parts of them.
So, let’s take a closer look at the theory and go through the types of metal finishes.
Types of Metal Finishes
There are a variety of different colors and metal types. Among the most popular metal finishes are the following: antique, polished, brushed, hammered, and satin. They are responsible for the finish to be shiny or matte.
- Antique metal finishes.
It is a perfect finish for the rustic interiors as they look rough, with some patina developed over time.
- Brushed metal finishes.
It is made to look more dull than shiny, with slight indications of brushstrokes.
- Hammered metal finishes.
It is a very distinct-looking finish with dents all over the surface. It is perfect for vintage and rustic interiors.
- Polished metal finishes.
These finishes are made to look mirror-like and shiny. Its one downside is that you will need to wipe it down pretty often to get rid of the fingerprints and make it look clean and shiny.
- Satin metal finishes.
The satin finish is smooth, without brush strokes, with a slight shine, but it is still a matte finish.
- Oil-rubbed metal finishes.
The finish is made to create a look of patina, giving the surface an aged, vintage-style look. Bronze, brass, and copper are often the finishes used for faucets and fixtures.
Different Metals
When choosing metal finishes, there is a lot to consider – price, maintenance, cleaning, and many other factors. So, here are some of the metals and alloys to choose from:
- Stainless steel. It is a metal alloy that is extremely common as a finishing choice. It is corrosion-resistant and very low maintenance, however, it looks like dull silver and shows fingerprints quite well.
- Aluminum. The appearance of aluminum is similar to stainless steel but is much more affordable. It is not as strong, but it will not rust.
- Brass. Brass finishes come in a variety of colors and levels of shininess. It varies from brown tone to bright gold. It is highly corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial but is a pretty expensive choice.
- Copper. This metal finish immediately stands out because of its reddish-orange look. It is also corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial. And it is considered to be a luxury choice because of its price.
- Chrome. This scratch-resistant finish is bright and shiny but shows fingerprints easily, requiring frequent cleaning.
- Nickel. Nickel is one of the silver-toned metals, but not as bright as chrome. It is much easier to maintain because it does not show fingerprints like chrome.
Bodaq Metallic Finishes
Bodaq has to offer many metallic patterns – gold, silver, textures, and many more. As a refinishing or finishing solution, the interior film has many benefits, like being antimicrobial, antifungal, scratch resistant, easy to maintain, and much more. But most importantly, you don’t need to change the entire interior – wrap the existing pieces with the film. It is that easy!
Gold Metals
Golden patterns range from bold tones to slightly dimmed vintage-looking surfaces. Here are some of the patterns:
These patterns are fabulous if you are looking to create a glamorous interior. It might be a gold wall accent that will add some shimmer to the space or just a pop of glam with small décor details like gaps between wall panels.
All the gold surfaces will bring a chic, opulent touch to your home. Be sure to consider the décor, quality, and colors, when shopping for gold wall accents.
Silver Metals
The sleek, chic, silver metallic tone provides a simple way to create a sophisticated interior. Unlike gold, silver is undeniably contemporary. Don’t be afraid to make an accent wall the star of the show.
"Add glam to any space by applying metallic wallpaper as an eye-catching accent wall. Silver-toned fixtures and appliances are still in the lead when it comes to modern metallic finishes.
However, you don’t have to stick with solely stainless steel. Explore other silver-tinted variations such as nickel and chrome. You can also play with different finishes from brushed metal to highly polished. If your style leans more traditional, don’t stray away from silver completely!
Silver décor can also help create a Hollywood Regency-inspired look. From Art Deco to 2022, you can’t go wrong with silver."
Textures with Metallic Inclusions
Interior designers use texture in the form of tactile objects like fabrics, wood, and stone to add physical comfort and visual interest to a space. Remember, metallics are not only actual metals. Metallic tones can be found in almost anything – artwork, églomisé glass, embroidered curtains, upholstery, and wall coverings.
If you think that silver gray fabric is already a staple for interiors, consider choosing a pattern with metallic threads in it, like NS820 from Bodaq. It is an interesting way to channel the trend.
It is easy to add personality and practicality with different materials on your cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes for textural interest.
An expert at Life Kitchens says:
'Embracing a range of textures, colors, and finishes can lead to striking results. Getting creative with mixed materials is easy and can have a transformative effect.'
Colorful Metallic Finishes
We are used to thinking that metals are limited to gold, silver, and brass tones, but new metallic colors are available nowadays. This has been driven by an overall change in color palettes for residential design.
“Design continues to evolve with new advances in technology. Myself and many designers are embracing virtual design by leveraging this powerful new technology to create immersive spaces and highly engaging designs that feel both contemporary and futuristic.”
Futuristic designs draw their inspiration from sci-fi movies, focusing on the space-digital age, parallel universes, and the new age wave. The idea is to create semi-transparent and plain walls with shiny polished finishes and circular-shaped furniture.
Choosing a Metal Finish
In conclusion, it’s hard to choose finishing solutions for your interior. But metallic finishes are a to-go preference if you are looking to add the feel of luxury and glamor.
When choosing the metal finishing, think about how it looks, how much maintenance it requires, how much it costs, and what style of your home or office is.
There is a lot to consider, so the more you know, the better your decision will be.
FAQ About Metal Finishing
