Wait, Are Chrome Fixtures Really Back in Style? We Asked Designers for the Scoop

Warm-toned metals are having their heyday—we've seen gold and unlacquered brass finishes take the interior design world by storm.

But, like any trend with such a strong clutch, we are wondering if the pendulum is starting to swing back in favor of cooler metals, particularly classic chrome.

We surveyed four designers to get their take on whether or not chrome is coming back in style.

Their answers varied ever-so-slightly, but they all agreed on the verdict: it's a good time to install chrome finishes in your home.

This Just In: Chrome Is Making a Comeback

Three designers we chatted with agreed that chrome is starting to rise in popularity again. Priya Vij is the founder of Hapny Home, a cabinet hardware company, and she gets firsthand insight into trends based on what sells.

She notes that while chrome hardware has always been a best seller, it has taken a backseat to brass and black hardware in recent years—but that's starting to change.

"I have started to see an uptick in orders of silver-toned hardware this year," she says. "People are looking for softer alternatives to stark black and the brightness and sparkle that comes with cool-toned chrome compared to brass."

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Even Mixing Metals Is In

Will Zhang is the director of design and product innovation at Emtek, which sells door hardware in addition to cabinet hardware.

Zhang partially credits chrome's comeback to another design trend.

"We’re definitely seeing silver finishes like chrome making a comeback in hardware," he says. "More and more people are choosing to mix finishes rather than limit themselves to just one throughout their space."

Chrome Is Truly Timeless

Carol Kurth is an architect and designer, and she also serves as a member of Baldwin Hardware's Design Authority team. She describes chrome as a timeless finish, which should provide you with some reassurance if you're leaning towards using this metal in your kitchen or bathroom.

An Added Hot Take: Chrome Never Left!

According to interior designer Amanda Kuhlman, chrome is definitely in style, but it never really went anywhere. Even though warm-toned metals have been rising in popularity, she has always seen chrome used consistently in commercial and residential design alike.

Designers' Tips When Choosing Chrome

Pair Chrome With Brass or Rose Gold, or Go Monochrome

In Zhang's book, chrome is a universal finish that complements most other metallics. However, he especially loves pairing it with brass or rose gold to add a little warmth.

"Alternatively, it’s also interesting to work monochromatically by mixing chrome with satin nickel, pewter, or other gunmetal tones," he says.

Add a Soft Edge

Vij does note one potential drawback of chrome (it can be a bit intense next to mirrors) but also offers a workaround: balancing it out with organic textures to add some softness.

One of her favorite ways to offset the cold look of chrome is by adding textiles into the space via warm-colored rugs, soft upholstered furniture, or curtains.

Another option is a lighter neutral like rose, white, beige, or gray for the walls, although she loves creating contrast by pairing chrome with a deep color, like burgundy.

Consider Your Climate

Although Kurth is a big fan of chrome, she never recommends it to clients who live near the ocean—saltwater and salty air are chrome's worst enemies.

"Chrome plating generally has a lifespan of about 200 hours in a caustic environment," she says. "So in less than a month of exposure, that beautiful chrome plating will begin to corrode."

Use it in Small Quantities

Kuhlman believes less is more when it comes to this silvery metal.

"My biggest tip is to not go overboard with chrome," she says. "It’s very easy for it to look sterile, so just use pops of it like in drawer handles, chair legs, and fixtures."