Metallics are weaving their magic throughout our homes, with glittering gold, blushing copper, beautiful bronze and even cooler touches of white gold or silver making their mark.

Herts Advertiser: Groove wallpaper, white gold, by Kelly Hoppen. Credit: PA Photo/HandoutGroove wallpaper, white gold, by Kelly Hoppen. Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

It’s all about putting on the glitz and ramping up the glamour as we lavish ever more care and attention on rooms, and create cosseting sanctuaries where we can relax and entertain in style.

“I’m secretly a fan of a bit of bling, which doesn’t have to be confined to Christmas baubles!” says designer Clarissa Hulse. “In fact, I regard metallics as another neutral shade, as they harmonise with so many colours. Combine them with different textures, such as sheers, velvets and linens - one of my favourites this season is an antique gold metallic linen - and they’ll add another dimension to your scheme.

“Metallic wallpaper can be particularly effective as it will reflect the light and add drama, especially in a dark room, or brighten a neutral space with pops of contrasting colour and soft metallic accessories,” she adds.

All that glitters needn’t be gold, although it’s tipped as the hot metal for 2016. Instead, you could opt for a heady cocktail of finishes. Designer Kelly Hoppen suggests mixing warm metals, such as copper and rose gold, with cool ones like silver, or for a more edgy effect, consider a layered mix of silver, gold and black.

Herts Advertiser: Rubans gold silk bedline, available from Gingerlily (in December). Credit: PA Photo/HandoutRubans gold silk bedline, available from Gingerlily (in December). Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

So join the gold rush, seek out silver, or maybe covet copper. Be bold and don’t miss out on metallics...

MIDAS TOUCH

Golden rules are meant to be followed and you surely won’t go wrong if you follow a gilded, glittering theme, because gold is a strong feature in all the home collections for next year.

“Gold and tones of gold are being used everywhere in the design world, as metallics continue to add that little touch of glamour to our interiors,” says Rebecca Williamson, senior colour design and content manager at Dulux, whose 2016 colour of the year is Cherished Gold.

Herts Advertiser: Venetian blind, in Electrum, part of the Fusion range, from 101, available from Timberlux. Credit: PA Photo/HandoutVenetian blind, in Electrum, part of the Fusion range, from 101, available from Timberlux. Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

“It’s a recurring colour and material at design fairs and in graphic design, as well as in architecture, fashion, beauty and interior decoration. We feel that Cherished Gold is a beautiful next step, a natural evolution and transition from Copper Blush, our choice for last year.

“The shade combines naturally with a variety of shades including tan, dark chocolate and duck egg blue, and creates an industrial edge, or - paired with blush pinks - conjures a more feminine atmosphere.”

HOT METAL

Mirror and polished brass make a stunning combination and they combine in the Delphine Mirrored Bar with polished brass base, £2,995, by designer Jonathan Adler. John Lewis’ Jeeves Drinks Cabinet by Hudson Living, £999, is just as handsome and is hand-gilded in silver. If these costs leave you reaching for a strong drink, Oliver Bonas’ Luxe Drinks Trolley is £350.

Herts Advertiser: Items available from Jonathan Adler. Credit: PA Photo/HandoutItems available from Jonathan Adler. Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

Bond favours a Martini, shaken not stirred, but whatever drink you’re mixing, you need the right kit. House of Fraser’s Casa Couture Copper Cocktail Shaker and Copper Cocktail Tool Gift Set are both currently reduced from £30 to £24 each.

For a touch of Downton-style Lord of the Manor living, pop icecubes into a a silver Stag Ice Bucket, £135, Kenneth Turner, or a Copper Hammered Champagne Bucket, £38, from Oliver Bonas.

Gold paint needn’t be reserved for Bond girls - be on trend and paint a feature wall in Cherished Gold, matt emulsion, 2.5 litres, £24.49, Dulux. Alternatively, Crown Paint has a metallics range with Millionaire (gold) and Sophistication (silver), from £18.42 for 1.25 litres of emulsion, available from DIY stores, including B&Q. Two of my favourite papers are Quill Gold wallpaper, £20 per roll, and a White/Gold Groove wallpaper, by Kelly Hoppen, £55 a roll, both from Graham & Brown.

Recreate a Hollywood-style boudoir with Rubans Gold Silk bedlinen, £62 for a standard pillowcase and £358 for a double duvet cover, available from December, Gingerlily. Ramp up the luxe with Electrum gold Venetian Blinds, from £101 for a 61cm x 61cm blind, from the Fusion range at Timberlux, and make a statement with a Louis Gold Hand Chair, £555, Abigail Ahern.

Herts Advertiser: Quill wallpaper, in gold, £20 a roll, available from Graham and Brown. Credit: PA Photo/HandoutQuill wallpaper, in gold, £20 a roll, available from Graham and Brown. Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

Metallics always star in designer Jonathan Adler’s collections and a Sputnik Chandelier, £1,995, and a Scalinatella Cocktail Table, £1,950, are brass but have a golden glow. If they’re out of reach budget-wise, Oliver Bonas has a super selection of gold-effect accessories including a Hammered Tray, £28 and Bowl, £20

If you’re really mad for metallics, Graham & Brown has super-shimmering metallic wallpapers for a glamorous setting, including Tranquil, which comes in copper, gold or silver, £20 a roll.

Pay a nod to the trend with beautiful accessories, such as Christiane Lemieux’s Copper Bowls, currently reduced from £40 to £32 for a set of two, House of Fraser. Next has a 16 Piece Copper Effect Cutlery Set, £32, that could be just the right finishing touch for a festive table.

Copper lights are particularly striking and Pagazzi has a Hammered Pendant Ceiling Light in Copper, £69. Create a warm glow with a Wendell Table Lamp, £69, Dar Lighting, whose base is copper-plated and whose black shade has a copper-coloured interior.

Herts Advertiser: Tranquil wallpaper, in Copper, available from Graham and Brown. Credit: PA Photo/HandoutTranquil wallpaper, in Copper, available from Graham and Brown. Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

COPPER CRUSH

Copper is the new black when it comes to decor and no room is complete without at least one accessory in this metal, whose colour evokes the burnished gold and brown shades of autumn leaves.

“Over the past year, we’ve seen classic metallic finishes, such as chrome and stainless steel, take a backseat as other richer metals have crept into the spotlight,” says Laura Pagan, founder of Pagazzi Lighting.

“Warmer and more inviting than cool steel, but less audacious than full-on gold, copper is the perfect material for adding a touch of rustic glamour to living spaces. It contrasts well with raw natural materials, such as leather and wood, or place it next to greys, khakis and warm blush tones, to create a luxurious and calming colour palette.”

Herts Advertiser: 16-piece copper effect cutlery, £32, available from Next. Credit: PA Photo/Handout16-piece copper effect cutlery, £32, available from Next. Credit: PA Photo/Handout (Image: Archant)

RAISE THE BAR

Shake up your style and invest in a cocktail cabinet, gilded of course, an item which is rapidly becoming a must-have for fashionable homes.

“There’s a real return to luxury - the growing use of burnished metals is part of that trend - and more lavish entertaining which has inspired a revival of cocktail cabinets,” says Alison Cork, founder of online interiors company Within.

“Two of my favourite pieces at home are my gold cocktail cabinet, which has a cartoon Dalmatian dog painted on one door and a shocking pink interior, and I complement it with a golden metal pineapple ornament. They both inject a party spirit to the room.”