5 Metals To Use Around Your Home

Metal can have many great practical and cosmetic uses around the home. These applications depend on the type of metal you choose. Below are just a few commonplace (and a few slightly unusual) ways to decorate and improve your home using 5 different types of metal.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel is a mixture of iron, carbon and chromium. It is known for its high strength and excellent corrosion resistance. 

Because it does not rust and is easy to clean, stainless steel is commonly used for kitchen sinks and taps. It is also used for many cooking utensils and appliances. In many homes, it’s the most common metal you will find.

Stainless steel can also be a fun decorative metal to use due to its shiny appearance. From chair legs to interior staircases, there are many cool ways to use stainless steel for a modern look. 

Just be wary that too much stainless steel could make your home feel like a prison canteen. While it can be a practical material for countertops or bedroom wardrobes, it is worth contrasting with natural materials like wood and color to provide some warmth. 

For example, a full stainless steel toilet with a reddish wood toilet seat could be a fun statement feature.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a pure element that, like stainless steel, does not corrode easily and is fairly tough (although not quite as tough as steel). 

Unlike steel, aluminum is quite light and also a much better insulator. Many people considering a home windows replacement opt for aluminum windows because they’re energy-efficient and offer good weather resistance. Aluminum doors can be a good choice too because they’re light and provide good insulation. 

Aluminum’s hardness and lightness also make it ideal for many forms of metal furniture. Metal desks, tables, chairs and bed frames are often made from this material. 

Due to its reflective qualities, aluminum is also a common mirror material. It is sometimes used for mirrored cabinets or even mirrored wardrobes. On top of helping you see your reflection, mirrors can be great for making a room brighter and making it feel bigger. 

Copper

Copper is another metal element that is softer than steel and aluminum. It is known for its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity – and therefore used heavily for pipes and wiring.

However, copper isn’t just used behind the scenes. On top of having many practical benefits, its reddish brown color can offer a visual warmth not offered by materials like steel and aluminum. It is also very malleable, allowing it to be shaped into many forms. 

One place where copper has started to become trendy is the kitchen. Copper sinks and even copper countertops can create a kitchen that stands out. It also helps that copper is antimicrobial and therefore a very clean material.

Another fun copper statement feature to consider could be a copper bathtub. Such tubs are easy to keep clean and retain warmth for long periods, while having a warm appearance.

Brass

Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc. It has similar properties to copper, but is harder and more corrosion-resistant.

Like copper, brass is very malleable. It was once used heavily in homes for many decorative purposes due to its golden color. In recent years it’s been making a comeback – brass doorknobs, faucets, light switches and door knockers are all returning to homes. Meanwhile, brass light fittings are also popular. 

Brass contrasts well with white or black, where it can take on the appearance of gold. It could make a fun material to use in a bathroom to give it an opulent look – everything from shower heads to toilet roll holders could be made from brass. 

Cast iron

Cast iron is an iron alloy and one of the oldest metals in continuous use. It is an excellent heat conductor and has natural non-stick properties, making it a popular material for pans and skillets. 

Cast iron is incredibly heavy. Because of this, it can make a great material for outdoor furniture or pots in very windy backyards. It’s less practical for furniture that you want to move around a lot (hence, why it’s rarely used for indoor furniture, except perhaps cast iron bed frames).Back in the 1800s, cast iron was a very popular decorative material in upper class homes, and it can still carry an elegance to it. Uses for decorative cast iron include entrance gates, stair railings and fireplaces. These are often painted black, although can be painted other colors too.

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Josie Smith