Move Over, Brass—This ‘90s Metal Finish Is Making a Comeback

If you walked into a home during the ‘90s, chances are, there were a slew of standout features—rooms decked out with floral wallpaper, honey wood tones, rounded furniture, just to name a few. But there’s one other ‘90s home trend that interior designers say is making a surprising comeback: chrome. From chrome faucets and towel bars to table lamps and coffee tables with chrome bases, the cool-toned finish that was all the rage during that decade is once again growing in popularity.

San Diego-based designer Diane Luna, who started her career in the ‘90s, vividly remembers the chrome craze. “I saw chrome mania everywhere, and unbeknownst to my young self, I was witnessing a mega trend— to historic levels!” Luna says. “From apartments to mansions, we saw a mass movement of door knobs, faucets, cabinet pulls, and shower trim. We’ve all had a chrome tub spout in our house.”

The History of Chrome 

So why is this particular finish gaining momentum these days? To understand its relevance today, Luna points to its origins. “Chrome originated in the 1920s with Art Deco and the Machine Age—think trains, ocean liners, skyscrapers. It was also made popular in the 1950s by savvy Italian designers crafting sculptural, modern furniture, and infiltrating Americana through roller-skating waitresses in chrome-clad diners, the diner style populating every American kitchen nook table and chairs,” she says.

Designer Terri Fiori adds that chrome “highlighted the glimmer of the future” during the 1920s. “The material quickly became the star of the Art Deco movement and was known as the “poor man’s silver.” It allowed working class families to bring a piece of modern luxury into their homes with decorative pieces,” Fiori explains.

How to Embrace Chrome Finishes Today

If you’re curious about the right way to design with chrome finishes, pros say there are key pointers to keep in mind for an elevated look:

💡 Lean into an industrial vibe. “Chrome has a beautiful way of reflecting light, which makes it especially striking against exposed brick. The contrast between something industrial and something refined creates a balance that feels both timeless and current,” says Tina Ramchandani, a New York-based designer.

💡 Experiment with lighting. “I tend to gravitate toward sculptural chrome floor lamps, minimalist sconces, and simple pendants with soft, rounded forms rather than overly ornate fixtures. One of the biggest keys to making chrome feel fresh is restraint. I like using it as an accent rather than making every metal finish in a room chrome,” Ramchandani says.

💡 Introduce jewel tones. “Rather than pairing chrome with cool grays or stark whites, which can make a space feel sterile, go bold by coupling chrome with jewel tones like deep olive green, indigo blue, warm charcoal, or aubergine. These saturated hues appear richer when chrome is introduced due to its reflective nature and balance the harmony between cool and warm,” says Lauren Smith of Styled Ivy Interiors.

💡 Balance it with warm details. “What makes chrome feel fresh again is how it’s being paired with warmer, more tactile materials. I love combining it with natural woods, textured linens, plaster finishes, and warm-toned stone. The contrast creates balance and keeps the space feeling inviting,” Ramchandani says. Smith agrees, sharing that she especially loves chrome alongside “grasscloth wallpaper, mohair, and velvet upholstery for a true Four Seasons-type experience at home.”

💡 Bring in fluted wood. “One of my personal favorite pairings right now is incorporating chrome and fluted wood details. In a powder room or built-in bar, this screams vintage luxury!” Smith says.

💡 Use it more than once in a room. “Repeat the finish in a few thoughtful moments throughout the room—a lamp, a table base, or cabinet hardware—so it feels intentional rather than like a one-off statement,” Ramchandani says.