Wet-chemical methods for the synthesis of metallic/semiconductor/dielectric nanoparticles offer unmatched potential for controlling their size, shape, composition, and surface chemistry, ultimately achieving a tight control over their optical, magnetic, and electronic properties. During the last 10 years I developed several synthetic protocols for metallic colloids, focusing mainly on plasmonic materials. Currently, my team is exploring the preparation of more complex hybrid structures combining more than one functionality.