'I never incorporate more than three finishes in a kitchen' – here's how Shea McGee mixes metals in a kitchen for balanced, cohesive scheme

Mixing metals in a kitchen requires a balance of visual interest and a sense of cohesion. It's not easy to get right, which is why so many of us avoid it altogether, opting for one finish throughout the entire scheme.

But when it's done right, mixed metals can truly elevate your kitchen ideas, adding contrast and a more eclectic feel. From hardware to plumbing to lighting, there are so many features to experiment with – and according to designer Shea McGee, it's all about restraint.

Here, we find out more about her approach to mixing metals in the kitchen – and her method guarantees a balanced, stylish finish. The secret? You should never introduce more than three finishes.

'I could talk about this for a long time because I get so many questions about it, but I'm going to keep it as simple as possible. Either match all the finishes or do two finishes in your kitchen with just one small accent on something like a door handle,' says Shea in her video.

The key to how to mix metals in your kitchen is to do it in a way that feels cohesive and intentional. You want it to feel like a design feature rather than a mismatch of finishes. For Shea, three metals are the maximum, but she always tries to stick to two where it makes sense.

'One way to think about it is dividing your kitchen into thirds – the top half is lighting, the middle is your faucet and plumbing, and then you've got your cabinet hardware,' she explains – an approach that factors in every metallic element.

This method doesn't mean you should introduce a different metal to each section – that would be a lesson in how not to do it – rather taking elements from each section will allow you to mix the different finishes more tastefully.

'A good rule of thumb when mixing your finishes together is to match the lighting to the hardware and then change up the faucet or match your faucet to your hardware and change up the lighting,' she adds.

'Those are the no-fail approaches to matching your plumbing and I would never mix the finishes of the plumbing fixtures themselves. I'm never going to do a different plumbing finish on my pot filler or a bar faucet than I would on my main sink.'

Rather than purely considering the metals as specific features in your kitchen, think of the finishes as a thread to tie the different elements of your space together. The approach you take to mixing metals in your space will depend on your kitchen layout.

In large or open-plan kitchens, where your kitchen pendant lights might feel further away from your kitchen sink, matching the same metals here will remove that disconnect, while a contrasting finish on the cabinet hardware adds visual interest.

In contrast, a small kitchen might benefit more from the latter of Shea's suggestions. Having too many different metals focused on the lower cabinets can feel busy, so letting your kitchen lighting become the star of the mixed metal show helps to draw the eye up.

This is your sign to experiment with mixed metals – especially with Shea's method which makes it so much easier to design into your scheme. 'You're really just dividing your kitchen into these sections and that's how we'll mix,' she finishes, emphasizing how simple it can be.