Should light fixtures match hardware?

There are a lot of opinions out there regarding these rules. And, of course, everyone has an opinion.

However, if you look carefully at high end design — at successful and beautiful projects published on the glossy covers of magazines, and the work of our most celebrated interior designers — you will notice what I’m going to talk about today:

You do not have to match your lighting metal finish with everything else in the room.

One of my projects: Without the contrasting finish on this light fixture, this bathroom would not have been as “wow” as it is. The contrast makes it more interesting. It adds layers and depth to the space. It’s not so matchy-matchy.

Personally, I rarely look at lighting as purely functional in a space, as something that should blend in.

Most times it’s the jewelry. That’s what helps telegraph the style. That’s what makes the statement.

OR... It can even be the art.

While there are many instances where the metal finish on a light fixture needs to match everything else, there are even more instances when it shouldn’t. So don’t feel forced into matching when choosing a metal finish for your special decorative light fixtures.