1) Hard & unforgiving – There’s a reason lots of office or home seating surfaces are not made of metal. Steel or iron is a very dense and not very pliable material, which makes it a very hard surface to sit or lie down on. You could probably do it for a few minutes to an hour. But longer than that and you’ll be experiencing some muscle aches or soreness. And if you have a slipped disc, you shouldn’t be sitting on anything metallic. That said, it’s a great material for a park bench (like the one pictured below), which gives people a nice place to take a breather for a short while, but not so long that they’ll be sitting on it for hours on end. You can use painted or stainless steel for as accent pieces end tables, coffee tables and console tables. These will last forever and no one has to sit on them. All you need to do is place objects on top of them and both the accent table and décor will catch people’s attention whenever they come into your home.
2) Sleek and modern – One of the reasons I like incorporating metallic finishes around people’s homes is that it gives a jolt of youthful energy to any space. If you like art-deco inspired interior chrome or stainless steel light fixtures, picture frames, sculpture, and various items of decorative accessories are great if you like to pay homage to the sophisticated and forward-looking time that were the 1920s and 1930s (also known as the “jazz” age). For fans of 1970s glam, gold finishes are the way to go, especially with regards to bathroom and kitchen fixtures and hardware. However do remember that gold does come and go (it’s currently officially out of style as of this writing but you’re certainly free to go whatever direction you want to go metal-wise) and black hardware is the big thing currently. Should you mix metals? Traditionally, it’s always been good to go with just a single colour (i.e. go all silver or all gold) but if you must mix, then chrome and black metal is considered a safe combo. You could throw a small bit of gold amidst a sea of chrome just to mix things up but don’t overdo it. It can be visually jarring and just too busy-looking to mix metals. If you prefer gold, then go gold all the way like in the picture below.
3) Shiny surfaces give off a sense of luxury – If you go to any type of hotel, restaurant or retail store that is geared toward the higher end of the market, chances are you will find a lot of metallic finishes, either on the furniture, walls or lighting fixtures. The reason for this is that the shiny surface of metallic finishes – like gold or silver – have been used as valuable pieces of jewelry (or for money) throughout history, consequently making them symbols of wealth and power. That’s why gold experiences a surge in popularity every few years. It’s a material that catches your eye quite easily and adds a huge glam factor to any room. Take note that it it’s not a “quiet” type of finish and is more of a “statement” piece. That’s why people tend to favour the enduring appeal of silver, which is another commonly used material for jewelry and other valuable objects. Grand houses in Europe featured large china cabinets with elaborate pieces of silverware on display. It was one way to showcase the homeowner’s wealth & social position. These days, chrome is the less expensive substitute and is used very extensively for furniture and decorative pieces. Unlike gold, silver tends to have a more classic and neutral appeal and can be used without any danger of ever going out of style. That’s why bathroom fixtures made out of chrome – or appliances made out of stainless steel – seem to always be in vogue. They say “luxury” but in a more discreet way that gold never quite achieves, as it’s more a “look at me” type of material. Take a look at the chrome metal accents on the signage, door frames and shelf edges of the Gucci store below. It all screams “expensive” but in a way that’s not too over the top.
4) Cold to the touch – Keep in mind that if you like textures that feel cool to the touch, metal should be your last option. Unlike fabric, which is a good insulating material, metal is a good conductor of temperature which is why it feels cold when it comes in contact with our skin. That’s why metal is generally not the best option for furniture. They may look pretty (like the farmhouse chairs pictured below), but they be uncomfortable to sit on, especially during the winter months. Most chairs or couches that people sit are best covered with fabric. Not only does that make them more comfortable, the feel of fabric is much more comforting and reassuring against our bodies than cold hard steel. If you do like the industrial (or some would say modern) look of metal, then you could use metal for end tables, nightstands, coffee tables, consoles or any kind of furniture accent piece that you don’t have to touch or sit on. They’re also great for decorative accessories like vases, sculpture or hardware. Metal looks especially good for lighting. I like to tell clients that metal accessories are like pieces of a woman’s jewelry, they’re great to look at and nicely finish off a room as metallic surfaces (like gold or silver) catch and reflect light very easily and can add sparkle and polish to any space. If you prefer a modern but more subdued look, go for a black metal finish which adds a quiet elegance to any space.
5) Futuristic appeal – Lovers of ultramodern design love to use stainless steel (or chrome) finishes as an accent in their interiors. They love the material’s strength and solidity and its ability to be molded into any form. To soften metal’s industrial look and feel, many contemporary design aficionados buy metal furniture mixed with some type of natural fabric (like cowhide or leather) to make it look more cozy, feel soft to the touch, and convey a sense of luxury. One of the most recognizable steel furniture pieces that became an instant classic when it was first introduced is the LC4 chaise lounge pictured below created by Charlotte Perriand and Charles-Edouard Jeanerett (better known as ‘Le Corbusier’) in 1928. Considered way ahead of its time when it was firstr unveiled to the world almost 100 years ago, it has such a futuristic appeal that it has never really gone out of style. At $ 6,220 USD apiece (at Design Within Reach) it’s definitely the Rolls Royce of living room lounge chairs and is near the top the ”furniture pieces I’m going to buy for myself once I’ve become successful” list. It will certainly be a great place for you to unwind at the end of a long and stressful day as well as a functional piece of sculpture that you’ll be proud to own for many decades.
