How to Bring in Gold Accents Into Your Home
It's OK to be a gold digger. This colour adds a rich glow to walls, furnishings and home decor that anyone would covet
All that glitters may not be gold. Oh, but when it is, it sure is pretty. Humans have had a thing for gold for millennia. Cleopatra wore it. So did the Greeks, a thousand years before her. The Aztecs, Mayas and Incas were also fans. San Francisco would still be a cow town if it weren’t for gold.
It has always been a symbol of luxury, wealth and success. Gold cards, gold medals, gold standard – all of it meant to convey the best of the best. But in design it can be tricky. Done well, gold can add mellow shimmering warmth. It’s timeless and elegant. The trick is to choose the right tone – gold varies from bright yellow to a soft burnished hue that is much darker – the right place and the right combination.
It looks great with so many colours, but plum and turquoise are favourites. In Asian-influenced design red, black and gold often go together. In modern design it is often paired with bright white. In the following photos, the use of gold varies a lot, but they all have something in common: The warm glow of gold that speaks to our ancient DNA. We are just wired to like it.
It has always been a symbol of luxury, wealth and success. Gold cards, gold medals, gold standard – all of it meant to convey the best of the best. But in design it can be tricky. Done well, gold can add mellow shimmering warmth. It’s timeless and elegant. The trick is to choose the right tone – gold varies from bright yellow to a soft burnished hue that is much darker – the right place and the right combination.
It looks great with so many colours, but plum and turquoise are favourites. In Asian-influenced design red, black and gold often go together. In modern design it is often paired with bright white. In the following photos, the use of gold varies a lot, but they all have something in common: The warm glow of gold that speaks to our ancient DNA. We are just wired to like it.
This much greener, darker gold tone was created with a bronze-tone plaster. It’s been burnished to a high shine and almost looks like lacquer.
A gold mother-of-pearl wall by Maya Romanoff. This looks like a place King Tut would have liked to hang out in. Stunning. See product info in the listings below.
Here’s how to bring timeless beauty of mother-of-pearl to your bathroom
Here’s how to bring timeless beauty of mother-of-pearl to your bathroom
This gold ceiling keeps the all-white room from looking too cold and reflects a lovely warm glow back into the space.
The flat gold colour on these walls is enhanced by touches of metallic gold in the coffee table, chairs and drapes. It all comes off as very regal.
A gold wallpaper in a small, modern pattern. It’s pure Bollywood glamour, but it doesn’t tip into OTT style because the tone is muted and it’s the only gold in the room. Note the gold and teal – always a lovely combo.
See how gold and teal pair up together
See how gold and teal pair up together
Another modern gold wallpaper. With almost everything else in the room kept simple and white, the design looks fresh and open, with just the right amount of shine.
Gold and white
Is there anything more elegant than white and gold together? It has a simple luxury and perfect balance that works in every style. It works in this traditional room.
Is there anything more elegant than white and gold together? It has a simple luxury and perfect balance that works in every style. It works in this traditional room.
It works in this contemporary room. The small gold accents add warmth and richness to all that white.
Modern rooms too. This ornate mid-century wall hanging adds glow and humour to a very simple space. It’s nice to see a room not taking itself too seriously.
Learn how to transform a wall into an accent wall
Learn how to transform a wall into an accent wall
The two small gold benches add a touch of Miami glamour to this already super-sleek room.
Gold in the bathroom
These undulating tiles have a dark, mellow glow about them. It’s understated luxury that is glamorous but still masculine.
These undulating tiles have a dark, mellow glow about them. It’s understated luxury that is glamorous but still masculine.
Gold fixtures are normally pure Graceland territory, but in this otherwise simple, modern bathroom they look lovely, irreverent and elegant. I love everything about this bathroom.
A small space is a great place for going bold with wallpaper. A large pattern in gold gives this bathroom warmth, texture and zing.
Decorating with gold
Metallic golds mix well with flat gold tones. This room has a little of both. A creamy white makes a nice, warm backdrop and keeps the room bright.
Metallic golds mix well with flat gold tones. This room has a little of both. A creamy white makes a nice, warm backdrop and keeps the room bright.
More mixing of metallic and flat golds. It gives a room a very rich, Brahmin feel. There’s nothing quite as sumptuous as gold velvet.
Find out how to master metallics at home
Find out how to master metallics at home
More gold velvet, this time in a modern setting. And check out how good it all looks with turquoise.
This gold screen with a soft glow is such a simple way to give this pastel room some oomph.
A few soft metallic accessories and fabrics make this room opulent and plush. Without them it would be just another cream-coloured living room.
Gold leaf frames and air paintings are a classic combination, and they go in any type of room – from formal and traditional to modern and eclectic.
Eclectic design thrives on mixing eras, styles and colours. The ornate gold trim on this refurbished settee is both classic and modern.
Just a dab will do you. Two glowing gold vases on the mantel look beautiful in this modern eclectic room.
Turquoise, pink and gold. Delicious.
Modern, elegant and simple. Gold with black and white is a classic look that can go modern too.
Read more:
How to Bring Gold Into Your Home
Tell us:
Have you used gold at home? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
Read more:
How to Bring Gold Into Your Home
Tell us:
Have you used gold at home? Share images and your ideas in the Comments below.
This gleaming stairwell looks like it’s been covered in gold leaf, but it’s really Venetian plaster lit with a very bright LED light. The effect is dramatic, but the lines and other materials keep it simple and elegant.