Most home décor predictions for this year have been unanimous on one thing: Copper. The metal with its signature reddish-orange shine that brightens up any space has sidelined its better-known cousin, brass.
Copper has been a part and parcel of interior and home décor for long — mostly as wires and piping — on account of its durability and propensity to conduct electricity. With the industrial décor trend still going strong, copper and its shiny hues have become a hit with designers.
The metal with a shiny finish creates a formal ambience when accompanied by uncluttered lines. Unfinished and matte copper is at home in a rustic setting.
How do you use it at home?
INDOORS
A metal chair rescued from the junkyard can be spray painted in copper tone and reupholstered to work well as a standalone statement piece. The metal can also be used as a lighting fixture, bracket, pedestal, furniture frame and a cabinet. Change the look of any space by replacing wooden or steel handrails with copper; go with ornate for a traditional look, opt for clean lines for a modern one. Replace old powder coated rods with satin or brushed metal curtain rods with sculptural edging.
Instead of regular and colourful mosaic tiles, try shiny or matte copper tiles to create an unusual backsplash in the kitchen. The simplest way to use copper? Hang a collection of pots and pans in the kitchen (keep them shining by scouring regularly).
OUTDOORS
Metal grilles may have gone out of fashion, but there’s no denying their appeal. Use copper grilles on outdoor porches and verandahs in your garden, or even to line the staircase in your home. Old copper pails, watering cans, trashcans and wheelbarrows can be salvaged and used as planters. A small metal bench or latticed chairs look good in the verandah or garden. Announce your love for copper by adding metal signage at the entrance — it could be a name plate or number plaque. Apply polyurethane sealant on the metal to reduce rust build-up. And always keep copper shining — only then does it add its signature shine and brighten up any space.
