Brass, gold, and copper have long reigned as the go-to, on-trend metallic finishes. But throughout 2025, as homes became more layered, more colorful, and more inviting, we saw an unexpected shift away from these super-popular warm metals toward cool metals like chrome and silver.
Even the queen of soft, rustic interiors, Shea McGee, has gone to the cool side with both her new McGee & Co. Spring Collection and her Threshold designed w/ Studio McGee line at Target, heavily featuring silver. It’s a design trend that made her top design predictions for 2026. But Shea is very specific that, for her, it’s all about silver – not chrome.
So how does Shea style this cooler-toned finish in her warm, rustic interiors? We spoke with the designer to find out how she’s incorporating this trending material into her projects.
Unlike chrome, which can skew very modern and sometimes cold, decorating with silver yields a softer, more familiar effect in interiors. It's a metallic finish that many associate with traditional decorating trends because of its frequent use throughout design history. Hence, why it's Shea's choice for her softer style.
Compared to chrome, ‘silver reads warmer and more heritage-inspired – it feels softer, more layered, and timeless rather than sleek,’ Shea explains. Typically, its shine is not as sharp as chrome's, and according to Shea, this gives the finish its calm and collected feel.
Shea explains that 'Silver tends to blend more naturally into layered interiors. If your space leans classic or transitional, silver usually feels like the better choice,' she remarks. Silver's soft shine and timeless appeal can enhance a home that already feels lived-in and full of personality. It's an enduring finish with a subtle shine that can add another level of visual interest without disrupting the room's preexisting atmosphere.
Shea is all about softening silver with other materials. This is how we’re seeing these cooler metals styled in 2026. They aren’t in stark white minimalist rooms; this isn’t the silver of the 2010s. If you layer silver with natural materials like wood, stone, marble, and warm neutrals, it adds a slight, unexpected contrast – but one that works.
‘Silver pairs beautifully with wood, stone, and softer textiles,’ Shea explains. See how the shelves above are styled with plenty of beautiful, natural textures and warm shades, and how pops of silver add a freshness among all the tactile layering.
Maybe it’s because warmer metallics seem like such a safe, ‘done’ choice, but silver does offer a more expensive-looking, more elegant appeal. It’s familiar, yet refreshing. Complementary, but striking, too. Silver can invite a level of rich character into a room, which makes it a particularly relevant finish for this moment in design. We are all striving for interiors that sing with character and personality. Silver can deliver both of those things – along with a little bit of shine.
If you’re eager to work this finish into your interior styling, Shea's love of silver is apparent in her own McGee & Co. spring collection and her new range with Target. Shop our favorite picks below.
Shop the Chicest Silver Decor
From its charming, twisted handles and rim to its aged silver finish, this vase exemplifies the traditional elegance of silver decor. Style this on a bookshelf – with flowers or without – for a characterful look.
These silver vases are timeless by design. Since they're made in different shapes and styles, but they feature the same silver finish, they could work wonders in styling a room with charming, heritage appeal.
The silver finish of this tray radiates sophistication and elegance. Use it as a dresser decoration – to hold perfumes, spare clips, and jewelry. However and wherever you decide to use this tray, it's bound to look chic.
Shell decor, when done right, is timeless – just like this stunning silver shell from McGee & Co. Use it as a jewelry catchall, a paperweight, or just a decorative object. Its organic shape and grooved details can add character to any spot in which you style it.
Napkin rings always elevate a dinner party, and this set of four silver rings would be perfect for adding a cool touch to a modern, rustic tablescape.
These silver-lidded jars look like one-of-a-kind antiques. Consider using them in your bathroom for cotton swabs, hair ties, or other small necessities.
This bowl demonstrates the softness of silver that Shea talks of. It might be a cool-toned metal, but it not always a high-shine one. Add a pop of silver to your kitchen by using this as a fruit bowl.
This canister leans modern in its design because of its geometric shape and its brushed silver finish. However, it's nonetheless a timeless decor feature to style in your home. Anywhere you place it, its style will speak for itself.
How chic is this serving dish? From its clam shape and sleek, silver finish to its little feet, this dish is a tasteful decor feature that anyone would be happy to style on their kitchen countertop.
Silver isn't just reserved for modern spaces that lean cool. Layer it right with plenty of texture and warm colors, and it can be used to add some edge to modern rustic interiors.
