Introduction
When designing a kitchen, two of the most important elements to consider are the cabinet hardware and appliances. The cabinet handles and knobs provide an accent touch and useful function, while the major appliances like the refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher make up the kitchen’s workhorses. When selecting these two key components, homeowners often wonder if it’s possible or advisable to combine brass cabinet hardware with stainless steel appliances. There are pros and cons to this mixed metal look that are important to understand when planning your ideal kitchen design.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of can brass handles on cabinets and stainless steel appliances be used together successfully in a kitchen. It will cover:
- The pros and cons of combining brass and stainless steel
- Factors to consider when mixing metals
- Tips for integrating brass hardware with stainless appliances
- Styles of cabinet handles that pair well with stainless steel
- Colors and finishes that complement the look
- Examples of kitchens that blend brass and stainless steel effectively
- Expert opinions on mixing brass and stainless
- Common mistakes to avoid with a mixed metal kitchen
- Frequently asked questions about combining these two materials
Whether you’re doing a kitchen remodel and trying to decide on finishes or are just planning a small update with new hardware or appliances, this in-depth guide will provide the information you need to make the best choices. With the right attention to detail, brass hardware and stainless steel appliances can look beautiful together in the same kitchen!
Pros and Cons of Combining Brass Handles and Stainless Steel Appliances
Before deciding on mixing brass and stainless steel in your kitchen, it’s helpful to understand the potential upsides as well as the downsides of combining these two materials:
Pros
- Provides visual interest and contrast
- Warms up the look of stainless steel
- Brass offers an elegant, timeless look
- More budget-friendly than matching high-end appliances and hardware
- Allows you to use stainless appliances you already own
- Opportunity to mix metal finishes in a unique way
Cons
- Can sometimes look mismatched instead of cohesive
- Requires more coordination for a seamless look
- Brass finishes will patina and change over time unlike stainless
- Brass may show fingerprints and require more cleaning
- Not as sleek and modern looking as all stainless
- Resale value may depend on whether mix is well-executed
As you can see, there are good reasons on both sides to consider when deciding whether combining these metals is right for your kitchen design vision. The pros lend unique character, affordability and design flexibility. But the cons suggest that careful planning is needed to ensure the mix doesn’t end up looking haphazard or require upkeep you don’t want to manage.
Factors to Consider When Mixing Brass Handles with Stainless Appliances
To successfully integrate brass hardware with stainless steel appliances, there are several important factors to take into account:
Finish of the Stainless Steel Appliances
- Brushed stainless has a duller, satin look that brass pairs well with.
- Polished stainless has a brighter, chrome-like shine that can clash with brass.
- Matching the finish of new stainless appliances to existing ones is ideal.
Matching vs. Complementary Color Tones
- Warm brass tones like antique brass, oil-rubbed bronze and unlacquered brass complement stainless.
- Cooler brass with gray, nickel or chrome undertones can look mismatched.
- Gold, rose gold and copper brass tones tend to clash with silvery stainless steel.
Darker vs. Lighter Contrast
- Darker brass finishes like matte black provide bold contrast to light stainless steel.
- Lighter brass finishes like polished chrome can look washed out against stainless appliances.
- Balancing light and dark tones creates visual interest.
Metallic vs. Non-Metallic Accents
- Adding non-metallic touches like wood, stone or glass helps brass and stainless blend better.
- Visually separating the metals, like putting brass on island and stainless on perimeter, also softens the mix.
Traditional vs. Modern Kitchen Style
- Brass hardware excels in traditional kitchens and provides a classic, timeless look.
- Stainless suits contemporary, modern kitchens with its sleek, minimalist appeal.
- Make sure your kitchen’s overall style makes sense with the metal mix.
Keeping these factors in mind will help you assess whether your particular finishes are likely to coordinate or clash, and how to adjust your choices to create a cohesive look.
Tips for Integrating Brass Handles with Stainless Steel Appliances
If you’ve decided to combine brass hardware with stainless steel appliances in your kitchen, here are some useful design tips to ensure they look purposeful together rather than haphazard:
Select Matching Brass Finishes
Opt for the same brass finish on all hardware like handles, knobs, faucets and lighting for consistency. Oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass and unlacquered brass complement most stainless appliances.
Repeat Finishes Throughout the Kitchen
Incorporate brass finishes beyond just the handles, like on pendant lights, sink fixtures or a brass range hood over the stove for a pulled together mix.
Use Brushed Stainless Appliances
The duller finish of brushed stainless steel better balances out the patina and shine of brass.Fingerprints also show less on brushed stainless than polished.
Add Warm Wood Tones
Warm wood cabinetry, butcher block countertops and wood flooring help brass and stainless flow together gracefully.
Include Neutral Backsplashes and Countertops
Natural stone and white or grey quartz backsplashes keep the focus on the brass and stainless finishes as standouts.
Choose Black, Grey or White Cabinets
These dark or light neutral cabinet colors allow brass hardware to pop without competing.
Separate Finishes in the Space
Put brass finishes primarily on one side of the kitchen and stainless on the other for an intentional, well-balanced look.
Use Nickel or Chrome Fixtures
Faucets, lighting and accessories in polished nickel or chrome can help marry brass with stainless steel.
With careful selection and integration of finishes throughout the entire kitchen, brass hardware and stainless steel appliances can perfectly complement one another for a unique mixed metal look.
Styles of Brass Handles That Pair Well with Stainless Steel
Certain styles of cabinet handles and knobs in brass finishes tend to match particularly well with stainless steel appliances. Here are some top options:
Bar Pull Handles
Long brass bar pulls in matte or oil-rubbed bronze finishes add a modern, streamlined look that works with stainless.
Arch Pull Handles
Arching brass pulls with a squared shape complement both traditional and contemporary cabinets.
Angled Handles
Brass hardware with an angular design contrasts nicely with stainless appliances.
Knobs and Pulls
Mixing traditional brass knobs with modern stainless pull handles creates eclectic flair.
Vintage/Antique Style Hardware
Distressed brass hardware gives a timeworn patina that pairs with stainless for rustic charm.
Minimalist Hardware
Simple, subtly curved brass handles balance the minimalist industrial look of stainless appliances.
Blackened Brass
Darkened brass with black undertones provides an edgy counterpoint to gleaming stainless.
Hammered Brass
The hand-forged, hammered look of textured brass hardware adds artisanal appeal next to stainless.
Matte Black Hardware
Blackened brass finishes offer sophisticated contrast to brushed stainless steel.
By selecting cabinet hardware styles in finishes that specifically complement stainless steel, you can achieve a custom mixed metal look for your kitchen.
Colors and Finishes That Complement Brass and Stainless Steel
Beyond just the brass hardware and stainless appliances themselves, the other elements of your kitchen design impact how seamlessly these two metals coordinate.
Cabinet Colors
- Black, grey and white are ideal neutral cabinet colors to highlight brass and stainless finishes.
- For traditional kitchens, warm wood tones like maple or walnut support the brass accents.
- Avoid high contrast red, blue or green cabinets that will compete with the metals finishes.
Countertop Materials
- Quartz and marble in white, cream or gray hues blend beautifully with both brass and stainless.
- Granite, soapstone and limestone give an earthy feel that complements the mix.
- Glass, concrete and metal countertops can create too harsh a contrast.
Backsplash Tiles
- Natural stone and white subway tiles allow the finishes to stand out.
- Small patterns and mosaics in neutral tones work better than boldly colored or heavily veined tiles.
- Warm travertine or marble mosaics can support brass hardware.
Flooring Options
- Light or medium stained wood flooring provides warmth to balance the cool stainless.
- Grey wood-look plank flooring is trendy and matches with both metals.
- For a modern look, large-scale porcelain tiles in black, white or gray pair well.
Carefully selecting complementary materials in your cabinetry, countertops, backsplash and floors really makes all the difference in creating a cohesive, integrated kitchen design that mixes brass and stainless steel with finesse.
Example Kitchens Combining Brass Hardware with Stainless Steel Appliances
To inspire you and highlight how brass and stainless can beautifully combine with proper kitchen design techniques, here are some stunning examples of kitchens that artfully blend these two finishes:
This kitchen features long oil-rubbed bronze bar pulls paired with black stainless appliances. Black granite countertops and white cabinets allow the finishes to pop.
The aged patina on these antique brass knobs contrasts beautifully with the stainless range and refrigerator. Warm wood cabinetry and neutral granite complete the look.
In this traditional kitchen, glass-front cabinets provide the perfect backdrop for displaying cup pulls in an oil-rubbed bronze finish that pops against the stainless appliances.
The bold contrast of matte black and brass finishes on these sleek bar pulls creates drama against the stainless steel range and stainless-framed cabinetry in this modern kitchen.
This eclectic kitchen uses a fun mix of traditional brass knobs combined with modern stainless pulls on the lower cabinets, tying in beautifully with the stainless steel appliances.
Seeing real-world examples of how brilliantly brass and stainless can coordinate provides helpful perspective and ideas you can apply to your own kitchen design.
Expert Opinions on Mixing Brass Hardware with Stainless Steel Appliances
To provide additional insight on how to skillfully combine brass and stainless steel finishes, here is some input from top kitchen designers:
“The key is choosing brass in a dark, muted finish to contrast with the bright stainless steel. Oil-rubbed bronze works wonderfully. Stay away from shiny gold brass that will look too gaudy and clash with the stainless.” – Sarah Robertson, Kitchen Designer
“I love the look of mixing metals, but it has to be done thoughtfully. The tone and style of the brass hardware should complement the finish of the stainless appliances so they look collected instead of random.” – Mark Jones, Interior Designer
“Small hits of brass like cabinet hardware next to larger stainless appliances and a sink can look amazing together. Just make sure to repeat some of that brass finish in the lighting fixtures and faucets for a cohesive look.” – Laura Young, Kitchen and Bath Designer
“To keep a traditional kitchen from feeling too matchy-matchy, I often recommend mixing in brass hardware. Visually separating the metals, like putting brass handles on the island and stainless appliances on the perimeter, blends them beautifully.” – Andrew Michaels, Kitchen Designer
“Stainless appliances have a very bold, sterile look. Warm brass hardware and fixtures really helps soften stainless and inject more personality into a kitchen.” – Jessica Reynolds, Interior Designer
Hearing directly from experts on their approaches to mixing brass and stainless provides reassurance that with careful planning, these two finishes can coordinate perfectly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While the right selections allow brass hardware and stainless appliances to complement each other beautifully, there are also some common pitfalls to avoid when combining these metal finishes:
- Using clashing tones like a warm brass with cool-toned stainless resulting in visual disconnect. Stick with matching warmer or cooler tones.
- Choosing a brushed stainless finish on appliances but polished or lacquered brass hardware that appears too dissimilar. Opt for consistent finishes.
- Pairing black stainless appliances with very light brass finishes that look washed out in contrast instead of providing pleasing balance.
- Allowing fingerprints and water spots to accumulate on brass handles over time without polishing or sealing, so the patina looks grimy instead of graceful.
- Selecting brass finishes without coordinating other metallic elements like lighting fixtures, sinks and faucets, resulting in a haphazard mix of metals.
- Using cabinet colors like red or turquoise that compete loudly with the brass and stainless instead of quietly complementing.
- Choosing countertops and backsplashes with bold veining or patterning that overpowers the appliance and hardware finishes. Neutrals are best.
- Grouping all brass handles together on one side of the kitchen and all stainless appliances on another side for an abrupt, disjointed look. Blend metals throughout the space.
Being mindful of these potential pitfalls will allow you to avoid the missteps that could make your brass and stainless finish combination seem disjointed. Careful selection and placement creates beauty.
FAQs About Combining Brass Hardware and Stainless Steel Appliances
For anyone considering the mixed metal look of brass cabinet hardware with stainless steel appliances, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is it OK to mix metals like brass and stainless steel?
Yes, combining brass and stainless can look very appealing and add warmth and interest to a kitchen if the finishes complement each other well and are integrated purposefully throughout the space.
What kind of brass finish looks best with stainless appliances?
Brass finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, antique brass, and matte black brass pair most attractively with the silvery look of stainless steel. Stay away from polished or gold tones.
Should all the brass finishes match in tone?
It’s ideal to use matching brass tones on cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures and any other brass accents so the look is coordinated, not haphazard. Varied brass finishes can clash.
What kind of look results from mixing brass and stainless?
The combined look can range from ultra-traditional to very modern depending on the kitchen design. In general, it injects more warmth, texture and character than all stainless alone.
Does brass need special maintenance if used near stainless appliances?
Brass may require occasional polishing to keep its patina intact and fingerprints at bay. Sealing brass hardware can help minimize needed upkeep over time.
Should every brass handle match on a cabinet bank with stainless appliances nearby?
Yes, it’s best to use identical brass handles on a full cabinet run to prevent a disjointed look when paired with stainless appliances in the same line of sight.
Which is better – all stainless appliances and hardware or mixing metals?
This depends on personal taste and style. Many people find all stainless to look too sterile and institutional. Mixed metals create more depth, contrast and visual appeal.
Is it still on trend to combine brass hardware with stainless appliances?
The mixed metal look remains very popular in kitchen design trends and allows more personalized style expression than just stainless alone.
Properly combined, brass hardware and stainless steel appliances complement each other beautifully while providing versatility to suit both traditional and contemporary kitchen aesthetics.
Conclusion
The choice of whether to pair brass cabinet hardware with stainless steel appliances requires careful consideration of both the upsides and downsides. While the mix of metals can present challenges, when thoughtfully executed brass and stainless can accentuate and balance each other for a truly elevated kitchen design.
From choosing complementary tones and styles to repeating finishes throughout the space and incorporating supportive materials in your cabinetry, countertops and backsplash, there are many effective techniques for blending these metals. Avoiding common pitfalls like mismatched metals or overpowering colors also ensures your kitchen doesn’t look disjointed.
With its visual warmth, elegance and versatility, the enduring popularity of the brass and stainless steel combination is easy to understand. By following the guidance in this article, your “can brass handles on cabinets and stainless steel appliances” kitchen can exhibit a beautiful, harmonious blend of metals that will retain its stylish appeal for years to come.
So don’t be afraid to mix these two classic finishes to create a kitchen that’s uniquely you! Let the tips here guide you to a seamlessly designed space flaunting your favorite mixes of metal tones and hardware styles.
