And how to get mixed metals right without overthinking it.
Should light switches and outlets match your hardware?
Yes — but matching doesn’t always mean identical. In most homes, you’ll choose one of three approaches:
- Match → for a cohesive, architectural feel
- Mix intentionally → for layered, design-led interiors
- Blend into the wall → for a minimal, almost invisible result
The key isn’t strict coordination anymore — it’s consistency of intent.
Your Finish Palette for Switches & Outlets
Our new US-compatible collection of electrical hardware is intentionally edited — which makes mixing easier, not harder.
Antique Brass 🤎
Warm, soft, slightly aged — the most antique-feeling option in the range.
- Works beautifully as a primary finish
- Adds depth in both modern and traditional spaces
- Develops character alongside surrounding materials
Best paired with:
- Matching antique brass hardware
- Matte black accents
- Natural timber and stone
Brass 💛
Clean, warm and more vibrant than antique brass. With a brushed, satin finish.
- Feels classic but not overly traditional
- Works well as a “connector” finish in mixed schemes
Best paired with:
- Polished, unlacquered brass (for subtle tonal layering)
- Black accents (for contrast)
- Brushed or neutral lighting finishes
Heritage Brass 🪙
Refined, balanced and warmer than antique brass — but less pristine than our classic brass. It arrives feeling a little lived-in.
- Feels timeless without leaning too traditional
- Sits comfortably between antique brass and brighter brass tones
- Adds warmth while keeping schemes looking crisp and considered
Best paired with:
- Matching heritage or antique brass hardware
- Black or blackened bronze accents for contrast
- Neutral cabinetry and natural materials (wood, stone, painted finishes)
Blackened Bronze ⚫
Bold, architectural, and grounding. Less harsh than matte black hardware, it has a warm reddish undertone that shines through in daylight.
- Acts as a visual anchor in a scheme
- Helps define contrast in lighter interiors
Best paired with:
- Antique brass (a strong mixed-metal pairing)
- White or painted walls (for definition)
- Minimal cabinet hardware schemes
Polished Nickel 💿
A cooler, high-shine, contemporary finish. Though cool, it has a warm undertone — less stark than chrome.
- Introduces contrast in warmer schemes
- Works well in kitchens and bathrooms (read our styling guide)
Best paired with:
- Unlacquered brass or antique brass (for intentional contrast)
- Cool-toned stone or marble
- Crisp, modern cabinetry
Unlacquered Brass 📀
The most dynamic finish in the range, this "living finish" will get better with afe.
- Starts polished, then naturally patinas over time (unless you polish it back to 'new')
- Creates depth and variation across installations
Best paired with:
- Brass (for tonal harmony), or polished nickel (for intentional contrast)
- Mixed metals (it adapts rather than competes)
- Textured materials that evolve over time
The New Design Rule: Mixed Metals, Done Properly
Mixed metals aren’t about randomness — they’re about repetition and rhythm. Here’s the Plank Hardware approach:
1. Repeat every finish at least twice ✌️
A finish shouldn’t appear once in a space.
For example:
That repetition is what makes it feel designed, not accidental.
2. Use switches as the “bridge layer” 🌉
Switches and outlets sit between categories — which makes them ideal connectors.
Example scheme:
- Antique brass cabinet hardware
- Black lighting
- 👉 Antique brass switches with black detailing
Now everything feels tied together without being matchy-matchy.
3. Balance warm vs cool tones ⚖️
Your palette naturally splits into two families:
- Warm: brass, antique brass, unlacquered brass
- Cool/neutral: blackened bronze, polished nickel
Strong interiors usually mix across the two — but always with one dominant tone.
Finish Pairing Guide 📝
Polished Nickel + Unlacquered Brass 💿📀
A balanced warm–cool contrast that feels both classic and current.
- Polished nickel switches or outlets
- Unlacquered brass hardware or lighting
- Neutral or lightly textured cabinetry
Result: Crisp but lived-in — the polished nickel keeps things sharp, while unlacquered brass softens and evolves over time.
Heritage Brass + Blackened Bronze 🪙⚫
A refined contrast with depth and definition.
- Heritage brass switches and outlets
- Blackened bronze lighting or accents
- Warm or neutral cabinetry
Result: Timeless with structure — classic warmth, grounded by darker, architectural notes.
Blackened Bronze + Unlacquered Brass ⚫📀
Bold, high-contrast, and intentionally layered.
- Blackened bronze switches or plates
- Unlacquered brass hardware
- Minimal or tonal cabinetry palette
Result: Dramatic but balanced — the dark finish anchors the space, while the living brass adds movement and warmth.
Antique Brass + Blackened Bronze 🤎⚫
A softer take on contrast.
- Antique brass switches
- Blackened bronze accents or inserts
- Layered lighting finishes
Result: Warm, grounded, slightly more relaxed than sharper pairings.
Brass + Unlacquered Brass 💛📀
Subtle tonal variation with a warm, evolving feel.
- Brass hardware
- Unlacquered brass switches/outlets
- Warm lighting finishes
Result: Cohesive and calm — a low-contrast scheme that feels layered rather than matched, with added depth as the unlacquered brass naturally patinas over time.
Where Mixed Metals Matter Most 🏠
Kitchen 🍽️
This is where everything is most visible.
- Keep one dominant finish across cabinetry
- Use switches to bridge appliances, lighting and hardware
- Avoid introducing more than 2–3 finishes total
Living Spaces 🛋️
Best place to experiment.
- Lighting can introduce contrast
- Switches help unify across zones
- Mixed metals feel intentional here, not risky
Bedrooms 🛌
More restrained.
- Stick to warm palettes
- Use switches to quietly match lighting or hardware
- Avoid high contrast unless the room is very modern
Bathrooms 🛁
Precision matters.
- Match switches to tapware or hardware tones
- Polished nickel works especially well here
- Keep variation minimal
Common Mistakes to Avoid ⚠️
- Introducing too many finishes in one room
- Matching everything too rigidly (it flattens the space)
- Forgetting outlets — they’re as visible as switches
- Mixing warm and cool metals without repetition
Exposed Screws vs Covered Screws — Why It Matters 🪛
Our switches and outlets give you a choice — install them with, or without, the supplied screw cover caps — and that’s part of the design.
- Exposed screws → more utilitarian, slightly industrial, honest detailing
- Domed screw cover caps → cleaner, more refined, visually streamlined
Neither is “right” — it depends on the look you’re going for.
When to leave screws exposed:
- Industrial or architectural interiors
- Darker finishes like blackened bronze
- Spaces where you want a bit more edge and honesty in the details
When to use screw cover caps:
- Softer, more refined interiors
- Kitchens and bathrooms where finishes are more considered
- Mixed metal schemes — where reducing visual noise helps everything sit together
The Takeaway
