Metallic colors instantly add polish—think chrome edges, brushed nickel neutrals, and warm gold accents that feel premium without being loud.

Below are metallic color palette ideas with HEX codes, plus practical tips for UI, branding, and print so you can keep the shine while staying readable.

In this article
  1. Why Metallic Palettes Work So Well
    1. chrome dusk
    2. brushed nickel neutrals
    3. champagne glow
    4. rose gold affair
    5. antique brass study
    6. copper ember
    7. steel and slate
    8. platinum frost
    9. gunmetal orchid
    10. pewter and pearl
    11. titanium teal
    12. bronze olive trail
    13. mercury mint
    14. silver lilac haze
    15. gilded sandstone
    16. midnight bronze
    17. urban copper pop
    18. graphite blush
    19. opal chrome wash
    20. lacquered gold noir
    21. cobalt steel shine
    22. smoked silver citrus
  2. What Colors Go Well with Metallic?
  3. How to Use a Metallic Color Palette in Real Designs
  4. Create Metallic Palette Visuals with AI

Why Metallic Palettes Work So Well

Metallic palettes feel “designed” because they balance contrast and restraint: deep charcoals and navies create structure, while silvers and warm golds signal quality.

They also translate across mediums. In UI, metallic-inspired neutrals keep layouts clean and readable; in print and packaging, warm brass or copper cues can imply texture and craft.

Most importantly, metallic schemes make accents matter. A single gold, bronze, or cobalt highlight can guide attention to CTAs, pricing, or hero details without adding clutter.

20+ Metallic Color Palette Ideas (with HEX Codes)

1) Chrome Dusk

chrome dusk color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0F172A #2B2F36 #8E96A3 #D7DCE3 #C7A86B

Mood: sleek, nocturnal, premium

Best for: SaaS landing page UI

Sleek dusk tones with a chrome sheen feel like city lights bouncing off glass. Use the deep navy and graphite as your UI base, then let soft silver handle surfaces and dividers. The warm gold accent is best saved for primary CTAs or key metrics. Tip: keep gradients subtle so text contrast stays crisp.

Image example of chrome dusk generated using media.io

dark saas ui mockup
Prompt: 2d saas landing page ui mockup with dark navy background, graphite panels, soft silver cards, and muted gold accent buttons, clean grid layout, modern typography, no device frame, plain background --ar 16:9
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2) Brushed Nickel Neutrals

brushed nickel neutrals color palette with hex codes

HEX: #1F2937 #4B5563 #9CA3AF #E5E7EB #B45309

Mood: minimal, industrial, calm

Best for: dashboard UI and data cards

Brushed nickel neutrals read clean and technical, like machined metal under soft studio light. Build dashboards with charcoal headers, mid-gray charts, and pale gray card backgrounds. The amber note works as a warning or highlight color without feeling loud. Tip: reserve the darkest shade for typography to keep tables readable.

Image example of brushed nickel neutrals generated using media.io

gray dashboard ui cards
Prompt: 2d dashboard ui mockup with charcoal navigation, gray charts, light gray data cards, and amber highlight tags, flat layout, no device frame, plain background --ar 16:9

3) Champagne Glow

champagne glow color palette with hex codes

HEX: #2D1E1A #6B4E3D #C9A56A #F2E6D8 #F7F2EA

Mood: soft, celebratory, elegant

Best for: wedding invitation suite

Warm champagne tones evoke candlelight, satin, and clinking glasses. Pair the deep cocoa with creamy neutrals for type, then let the gold sit in borders, monograms, or foil-like accents. It shines on textured paper, vellum overlays, and minimal layouts. Tip: keep gold elements thin for a refined finish.

Image example of champagne glow generated using media.io

champagne wedding invitation
Prompt: elegant wedding invitation graphic design on plain warm cream background, cocoa typography, thin champagne-gold border and monogram, minimalist layout, flat print-ready look, no hands, no table --ar 4:3

4) Rose Gold Affair

rose gold affair color palette with hex codes

HEX: #3B1F2B #7A3E4D #C27A7A #E7C2B8 #F5EFEA

Mood: romantic, glossy, modern

Best for: beauty brand packaging and labels

Romantic rose tones feel like polished metal warmed by skin and blush. For metallic color combinations that stay upscale, ground the palette with the deep plum and use the pale cream as breathing room. Rose and blush shades work best on matte packaging with spot-gloss details. Tip: use the mid-rose for small typography so it stays legible on light backgrounds.

Image example of rose gold affair generated using media.io

rose gold beauty packaging
Prompt: realistic studio shot of beauty product packaging and labels in blush, rose, and deep plum tones with subtle glossy accents, clean cream background, premium minimal styling --ar 3:2

5) Antique Brass Study

antique brass study color palette with hex codes

HEX: #1B1A17 #3A2F21 #7A5C2E #C2A56A #EEE2C6

Mood: heritage, scholarly, warm

Best for: book cover design and stationery

Antique brass and inky shadows feel like old libraries, leather spines, and lamp-lit desks. Use the near-black for titles, then layer warm browns for depth and ornament. Brass works beautifully in small line art, borders, and stamped details. Tip: try a slightly textured background to make the lightest cream feel archival.

Image example of antique brass study generated using media.io

vintage book cover palette
Prompt: book cover graphic design on plain light cream background with near-black title typography, warm brown blocks, and antique brass border lines, vintage editorial style, no objects, no hands --ar 2:3

6) Copper Ember

copper ember color palette with hex codes

HEX: #1F0F0A #5A1F12 #B24A2E #D98F63 #F3E4D8

Mood: fiery, artisan, bold

Best for: restaurant logo and menu accents

Smoky ember reds and copper highlights evoke open flames and hammered cookware. As a metallic color palette, it works best when the dark espresso anchors the layout and the copper tones stay in headlines or icons. Pair it with uncoated paper, wood textures, or black-and-white food photography. Tip: keep the brightest copper for callouts like chef specials or section dividers.

Image example of copper ember generated using media.io

copper restaurant branding
Prompt: restaurant branding graphic design on plain warm off-white background, bold logo mark in deep espresso and copper tones, minimal menu header and icons, flat vector style, no table, no food --ar 4:3

7) Steel and Slate

steel and slate color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0B1220 #263040 #5B6777 #B8C2CE #E7EDF4

Mood: cool, structured, confident

Best for: enterprise software UI

Cool steel and slate tones feel like precision, control, and polished hardware. Use the darkest shade for navigation, slate for panels, and pale blue-grays for content surfaces. It pairs well with sharp line icons and condensed type. Tip: add one bright accent color outside the set only for critical actions.

Image example of steel and slate generated using media.io

cool enterprise ui layout
Prompt: 2d enterprise software ui mockup with dark navigation, slate panels, pale blue-gray content cards, clean data tables, modern typography, no device frame, plain background --ar 16:9

8) Platinum Frost

platinum frost color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0F172A #334155 #94A3B8 #E2E8F0 #F8FAFC

Mood: crisp, airy, modern

Best for: minimal product landing page

Platinum frost feels like winter light on smooth metal, clean and airy without looking sterile. Let the near-white and pale silver dominate backgrounds, then use navy for type and structure. This mix suits tech, skincare, and modern home goods. Tip: reduce shadow intensity and rely on spacing for hierarchy.

Image example of platinum frost generated using media.io

minimal light landing page
Prompt: 2d minimal product landing page ui mockup with near-white background, light silver sections, navy typography, simple hero block and feature grid, no device frame, plain background --ar 16:9

9) Gunmetal Orchid

gunmetal orchid color palette with hex codes

HEX: #111827 #374151 #6B7280 #A78BFA #EDE9FE

Mood: moody, futuristic, playful

Best for: music event poster

Gunmetal and orchid reads like neon reflected on wet pavement, moody with a pulse. Use the dark grays for background blocks and let lavender act as your headline and highlight color. It pairs well with geometric patterns and high-contrast type. Tip: keep lavender limited to one or two elements per section so it stays electric.

Image example of gunmetal orchid generated using media.io

dark lavender event poster
Prompt: music event poster graphic design on plain dark gunmetal background with bold lavender headline typography, minimal geometric shapes, clean layout, flat print design, no hands, no photography --ar 3:4

10) Pewter and Pearl

pewter and pearl color palette with hex codes

HEX: #2A2E35 #5C6673 #AAB3BE #E8E3DC #FAF7F2

Mood: soft, refined, editorial

Best for: magazine layout and lookbook

Pewter and pearl feel like tailored fabrics, soft daylight, and understated luxury. The grays are perfect for grids, captions, and rules, while the pearly neutrals keep pages light. Pair it with black-and-white portraits or minimal product photography. Tip: use pewter for small typography and reserve near-black only for section headers.

Image example of pewter and pearl generated using media.io

minimal editorial spread
Prompt: editorial magazine spread layout with pewter typography, thin grid lines, pearl and warm off-white backgrounds, minimalist product blocks, print-ready design, no real photo scene --ar 21:9

11) Titanium Teal

titanium teal color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0B1320 #1F2A44 #0F766E #67E8F9 #E6FFFB

Mood: fresh, high-tech, energetic

Best for: app onboarding screens

Titanium blues with teal sparks feel like clean circuitry and coastal light. Use the deep tones for structure and the teal for interactive elements like toggles, progress, and links. The icy cyan works as an accent for illustrations or badges. Tip: keep gradients within the teal family to avoid visual noise.

Image example of titanium teal generated using media.io

teal onboarding ui screens
Prompt: 2d app onboarding ui screens with deep navy background, teal buttons and progress indicators, icy cyan accents, simple illustrations, clean typography, no device frame, plain background --ar 9:16

12) Bronze Olive Trail

bronze olive trail color palette with hex codes

HEX: #1A1A12 #3B3A25 #6B6A3A #B08D57 #EFE6D6

Mood: earthy, outdoorsy, grounded

Best for: craft coffee bag packaging

Bronze and olive feel like trail dust, dried leaves, and sun on metal hardware. Use olive as the main field color and bronze for badges, seals, and small type details. It pairs naturally with kraft paper textures and simple line illustrations. Tip: keep the light cream for nutrition panels and small-print areas to maintain readability.

Image example of bronze olive trail generated using media.io

olive bronze coffee bag
Prompt: realistic studio shot of craft coffee bag packaging in olive and bronze tones with minimal label design, clean light background, soft shadows, premium natural look --ar 3:2

13) Mercury Mint

mercury mint color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0A0F14 #334155 #93C5FD #A7F3D0 #F1F5F9

Mood: clean, airy, experimental

Best for: startup brand kit

Mercury-like darks with mint and ice accents feel crisp, modern, and slightly futuristic. Use the near-black for logos and wordmarks, then let mint and pale blue define secondary graphics. It works well with lots of white space and rounded shapes. Tip: keep the mint as the signature color and use the blue only for supporting UI states.

Image example of mercury mint generated using media.io

mint startup brand kit
Prompt: brand kit board on plain light background showing logo mark, color swatches, typography samples, and simple icons in near-black, slate, mint, and pale blue, flat design --ar 4:3

14) Silver Lilac Haze

silver lilac haze color palette with hex codes

HEX: #1F2430 #4B5563 #C4B5FD #E5E7EB #FBF7FF

Mood: dreamy, soft, contemporary

Best for: skincare social media templates

Silvery neutrals with lilac haze feel like satin, mist, and gentle glow. Use light backgrounds for product shots and let lilac carry stickers, headers, and decorative shapes. The dark gray keeps copy readable without harsh contrast. Tip: add thin silver-gray outlines to separate pastel elements on white.

Image example of silver lilac haze generated using media.io

lilac skincare post template
Prompt: social media post template graphic design on plain soft white background with lilac shapes, silver-gray lines, dark gray typography, minimal skincare promo layout, no photos, no hands --ar 1:1

15) Gilded Sandstone

gilded sandstone color palette with hex codes

HEX: #2B2118 #6B4F3A #C2A179 #E7D3BA #FAF3EA

Mood: sunlit, calm, upscale

Best for: interior design portfolio

Gilded sandstone feels like warm sun on stone, linen curtains, and brushed brass fixtures. Use the creamy tones for page backgrounds and the rich brown for headings and navigation. Gold-beige works well for dividers, buttons, and subtle frames around photos. Tip: keep saturation low and let texture in imagery do the heavy lifting.

Image example of gilded sandstone generated using media.io

warm interior portfolio ui
Prompt: 2d portfolio website ui mockup for interior design with warm cream background, sandstone sections, rich brown typography, subtle gold-beige buttons, clean grid, no device frame, plain background --ar 16:9

16) Midnight Bronze

midnight bronze color palette with hex codes

HEX: #070A0F #1F2937 #6B7280 #B07A3C #F3E8DB

Mood: dramatic, luxe, confident

Best for: premium watch product ad

Midnight shadows with bronze highlights feel like a spotlight on polished hardware. As a metallic color palette, it looks best with a near-black base and a single warm bronze accent for premium cues. Pair it with minimalist typography and plenty of negative space to keep it modern. Tip: use bronze sparingly on edges and micro-details to avoid a heavy look.

Image example of midnight bronze generated using media.io

luxury watch ad colors
Prompt: realistic studio shot product ad for a premium wristwatch with near-black and charcoal tones, subtle bronze highlights, clean light background or dark-to-light gradient backdrop, minimal copy space --ar 3:2

17) Urban Copper Pop

urban copper pop color palette with hex codes

HEX: #111111 #2F2F2F #FF6A3D #C47C5A #F2EFEA

Mood: street, bold, modern

Best for: tech conference flyer

Urban darks with copper pop feel like concrete, signage, and glowing heat. Keep the blacks and grays dominant for structure, then use the vivid orange-copper as the attention grabber for dates and CTAs. It pairs well with bold sans fonts and sharp geometric blocks. Tip: apply the bright accent in one consistent shape system for visual rhythm.

Image example of urban copper pop generated using media.io

bold tech flyer layout
Prompt: tech conference flyer graphic design on plain light background with bold black and dark gray typography blocks, vivid orange-copper accent shapes, clean grid, flat print design, no hands, no photos --ar 3:4

18) Graphite Blush

graphite blush color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0B0D12 #2B2F3A #8B8F9A #E8B4B8 #FAF6F3

Mood: soft, chic, contemporary

Best for: fashion ecommerce UI

Graphite with blush feels like silk against leather, modern but approachable. Use the near-black for navigation, graphite for frames, and blush as the micro-accent on wishlist hearts or sale tags. It pairs nicely with editorial photography and generous margins. Tip: keep blush on light backgrounds to preserve a clean, premium feel.

Image example of graphite blush generated using media.io

fashion ecommerce ui mockup
Prompt: 2d fashion ecommerce ui mockup with near-black navigation, graphite product cards, soft blush accent tags and icons, airy white background, modern typography, no device frame --ar 16:9

19) Opal Chrome Wash

opal chrome wash color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0F172A #475569 #9CA3AF #CFFAFE #F8FAFC

Mood: glassy, luminous, light

Best for: presentation deck theme

Opal and chrome washes feel like light passing through glass, clean and slightly iridescent. Use navy for titles, slate for body copy, and save the opal cyan for section breaks and key numbers. It works best with simple charts and thin dividers. Tip: keep backgrounds mostly white to avoid dulling the airy effect.

Image example of opal chrome wash generated using media.io

minimal slide theme colors
Prompt: clean presentation slide design theme with white background, navy title text, slate body text, opal cyan section bars and simple charts, minimal layout, flat design --ar 16:9

20) Lacquered Gold Noir

lacquered gold noir color palette with hex codes

HEX: #050505 #1C1C1C #3A3A3A #D4AF37 #F5F1E6

Mood: dramatic, glamorous, high-contrast

Best for: luxury brand logo and monogram

Lacquered noir and bright gold feels like gala lighting and polished jewelry. The near-black and charcoal make a strong base for logos, while gold is best as a single premium mark or thin outline. Pair it with high-contrast serif typography and plenty of empty space. Tip: test the gold on both matte and glossy finishes to pick the right print treatment.

Image example of lacquered gold noir generated using media.io

luxury gold noir logo
Prompt: luxury brand logo and monogram graphic design on plain off-white background, near-black wordmark with a single gold monogram accent, high-contrast serif typography, minimal vector style --ar 1:1

21) Cobalt Steel Shine

cobalt steel shine color palette with hex codes

HEX: #0A1224 #1D4ED8 #60A5FA #A7B0BE #F1F5F9

Mood: bold, confident, sporty

Best for: sports app UI highlights

Cobalt with steel neutrals feels fast, polished, and competitive. Use the cobalt for key actions and active states, while the steel grays keep the rest of the interface calm. It pairs well with strong icons and condensed numerals for scores. Tip: limit full-saturation blue to one level of hierarchy to avoid overwhelming users.

Image example of cobalt steel shine generated using media.io

cobalt sports ui highlights
Prompt: 2d sports app ui mockup with dark navy header, cobalt active tabs, light blue highlights, steel gray cards, score widgets and stats layout, no device frame, plain background --ar 9:16

22) Smoked Silver Citrus

smoked silver citrus color palette with hex codes

HEX: #121212 #3F3F46 #A1A1AA #F59E0B #F5F5F4

Mood: modern, punchy, balanced

Best for: brand social ads and banners

Smoked silver tones with a citrus punch feel like modern streetwear and glossy signage. For metallic color combinations that convert, keep the grays as the foundation and let the orange act as the single attention anchor. This pairing works well for sale banners, feature callouts, and bold typography. Tip: use the light off-white for breathing room so the accent stays sharp.

Image example of smoked silver citrus generated using media.io

gray orange ad banner
Prompt: social ad banner graphic design on plain off-white background with smoked gray typography blocks, silver-gray shapes, and a single citrus orange callout badge, flat modern layout, no photos, no hands --ar 21:9

What Colors Go Well with Metallic?

Metallic-inspired neutrals pair naturally with deep bases (near-black, navy, charcoal) and light surfaces (soft silver, pearl, warm off-white). This contrast keeps designs crisp and “hardware clean.”

For accents, choose one warm highlight (gold, bronze, copper) or one cool highlight (cobalt, teal, lilac) and repeat it consistently for buttons, badges, and key numbers.

If you need a broader system, add one non-metallic “signal color” (like coral or emerald) for alerts and success states—then keep everything else restrained.

How to Use a Metallic Color Palette in Real Designs

In UI, treat metallic palettes as a hierarchy tool: darkest for navigation and text, mid-grays for panels and borders, and the lightest tones for backgrounds and cards. This prevents the interface from feeling flat.

In branding and packaging, metallic cues work best as micro-details—thin borders, monograms, icons, or foil-like highlights—rather than large blocks of shiny color.

For print, always test. Warm golds and bronzes can shift on uncoated stock, while cool silvers can look dull if the background is too gray.

Create Metallic Palette Visuals with AI

If you want to preview how a metallic color scheme feels in a real layout, generate quick mockups first—landing pages, posters, packaging, or brand boards—before committing to production files.

With Media.io, you can turn a short prompt into on-brand visuals and iterate fast by changing just one accent (gold to copper, slate to pewter, teal to cobalt) while keeping the same structure.

Use the palette HEX codes above as your guide, then describe materials (brushed metal, lacquer, satin paper) to push the “metallic” vibe without sacrificing legibility.

Metallic Color Palette FAQs

  • What are metallic colors in design?
    Metallic colors are hues that mimic metals like silver, gold, chrome, bronze, and copper. In digital design they’re usually represented with neutral grays plus carefully chosen warm or cool accents, while “shine” is suggested through contrast, gradients, and highlights.
  • How do I make metallic colors look good on screens (without real shine)?
    Use a strong value range: dark base + light surface + one accent. Add subtle gradients or highlights sparingly, and prioritize text contrast (WCAG-friendly) over glossy effects.
  • Which metallic palette is best for modern UI?
    Cool, neutral sets like Steel and Slate or Platinum Frost are safest for UI because they keep components readable. Add one controlled accent (gold, teal, cobalt) for interactive states and primary CTAs.
  • Do metallic palettes work for luxury branding?
    Yes—high-contrast noir + gold (like Lacquered Gold Noir) signals luxury fast. The key is restraint: keep gold as a single mark, thin outline, or micro-detail rather than covering large areas.
  • What’s the best background color for metallic accents?
    Near-black, charcoal, navy, and warm off-white are the most reliable. Dark backgrounds make gold/copper feel richer; light backgrounds make silver/pearl feel cleaner and more editorial.
  • How many metallic accent colors should I use?
    Typically one. Pick either a warm accent (gold/bronze/copper) or a cool accent (cobalt/teal/lilac) and repeat it consistently for CTA buttons, icons, dividers, and key highlights.
  • Can I use these HEX codes for print projects?
    You can start with HEX for planning, but convert to CMYK/Pantone and test proofs—metal-like hues can shift depending on paper stock and finishing (matte vs gloss vs foil).

Next: Coral Orange Color Palette

Julian Moore
Julian Moore Feb 11, 26
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