From appliances and hardware to furniture and light fixtures, metal can be found anywhere in your home. We take a look at the five most common types of metals and metal finishes.

Types of Metals

While there are many types of metals, below are the five most common options found in your home decor and furnishings.

Aluminum

Aluminum has a dull silver finish, making it similar in appearance to stainless steel. It is lighter in weight and more affordable than steel, but isn't as strong as steel. While aluminum doesn't rust, it does oxidize – creating a chalky white residue. Aluminum is most often used in outdoor furniture.

Stainless Steel

An alloy of carbon, iron, chromium, and other metals, stainless steel is found in furniture and fixtures throughout the home – from accent tables to kitchen sinks. Because of the chromium it doesn't rust, oxidize, or corrode and is a low-maintenance material. It's much stronger than its look-alike, aluminum.

Brass

A mix of copper and zinc alloys, brass can be made in various colors, such as red, yellow, gold, bronze, and brown. However, the most common color is gold. This metal is typically corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial – making them great for knobs and faucets. While it is corrosion-resistant, harsh cleaners can cause cracking. We recommend washing brass with mild soap and water. Solid brass can be expensive – look for plated brass for a budget-friendly price.

Copper

Copper is reddish-orange in color and is found on all types of decor and fixtures, such as lighting and sinks. It is resistant to corrosion and is antimicrobial. Look for copper on high-quality cookware because of its superior heat conductivity. Copper can acquire a patina of greenish-blue over time due to oxidation.. To prevent this from occurring (especially if copper is used outdoors), coat with beeswax or carnauba wax, buff with a clean cloth, apply a coat of linseed oil, then cover it in lacquer.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron refers to metal that has been hammered or bent into shape, as opposed to being cast or poured. Therefore, it has a rough surface. Since it is corrosion-resistant and durable, it is commonly used to make fireplace accessories, outdoor furniture, pot racks, rustic beds, lighting, and more.

Five Common Metal Finishes

Antiqued

This finish makes the metals appear to have stood the test of time, often by darkening or tarnishing it.

Brushed

A matte finish that looks as if it has been smoothed with a paintbrush, leaving faint brushstroke marks in the metal.

Hammered

It's as simple as it sounds. Metal with a hammered finish appears to have been pounded and has many small indents adding texture to the surface.

Polished

This finish creates a reflective, mirror-like surface on metals. A polished surface shows smudges and fingerprints more readily than other finishes.

Satin

This is similar to brushed metals, however this type of finish is smoother and oftentimes without brushstroke marks. The sheen is between matte and polished.

Wayfair sells many metal objects – from wall art to bed frames. Search some of our most popular metal items below.