Can You Paint a Room Gold?
Painting a room gold can transform the space and create a glamorous, luxurious look. While gold paint may seem flashy, it can actually work in many different decor styles from traditional to modern. The key is choosing the right gold tone and preparation. With some planning, you most certainly can paint an entire room gold.
Benefits of a Gold Painted Room
There are several reasons you may want to paint a room gold:
– Adds warmth and richness. Gold paint brings a cozy, welcoming vibe to a space. The metallic finish gives off warmth and reflects light beautifully.
– Creates an elegant, luxurious look. Gold is associated with luxury. Painting walls gold immediately makes a room look more high-end and sophisticated.
– Modern twist on a traditional color. Gold has historically been used in palaces, churches and fancy spaces. Using gold paint in a modern, minimalist room gives this regal color a fresh, trendy spin.
– Complements existing decor. If you have a lot of black and white in a room, gold paint can provide a pop of color and contrast. Gold also pairs nicely with navy blue, dark green and ochre decor.
– Unique focal point. Painting one accent wall gold creates a stunning point of interest in any room. It can spice up a neutral space or make your feature wall really stand out.
– Adds glamour and drama. There’s no color quite like gold to amp up the glam factor. The right gold paint can make any room feel special and luxe. It’s perfect if you want a touch of drama.
Choosing the Right Gold Paint Tone
Gold paint comes in a wide range of shades and finishes. The options can be overwhelming, but choosing the right undertone is key for getting the look you want. Here are some popular gold paint colors to consider:
– Bright shiny gold – This rich, bold shade has a metallic finish that almost looks like real gold leafing. It pops against darker colors.
– Soft champagne gold – A warm, elegant option that is slightly muted. Works well for traditional styled rooms.
– Antique gold – Has an aged, weathered look. Great for a rustic, vintage vibe. Often has brown undertones.
– Rose gold – A trendy blush-toned metallic gold. Perfect for a glam modern or boho chic room.
– Bronze gold – A neutral, brownish gold tone. More subtle than shiny gold. Pairs well with creams and browns.
– Mustard gold – A golden yellow shade. Ideal for contemporary rooms or farmhouse styles.
– Old gold – A traditional green-toned gold. Coordinates well with deep reds and greens.
Consider the existing color scheme of the room when choosing a gold shade. Warm undertones like antique gold suit warm-toned rooms, while cooler rose gold works well in spaces with cool blues and grays.
The amount of natural light also affects how gold paint color comes across. North-facing rooms may need a lighter gold versus south-facing spaces that can handle a dramatic, deeper shade.
Preparing the Room for Gold Paint
Proper prep is crucial before painting a room gold. Taking time to prepare helps the paint adhere properly for smooth, long-lasting results:
– Clean surfaces – Wipe down walls to remove any dirt, grease or residues. Fix any damaged drywall.
– Sand glossy areas – For smooth, shiny surfaces like trim, lightly sand to rough up the surface so paint can stick.
– Fill holes and cracks – Use spackle or drywall filler for any imperfections. Let it fully dry before sanding smooth.
– Remove outlets and switchplates – Take these off so you can paint behind them thoroughly.
– Tape off trims – Use painter’s tape to protect baseboards and trim from drips. Cover floors too.
– Prime walls – Priming ensures the paint bonds well. Use an oil-based primer for best results with metallic paint.
– Apply primer coat to trim and ceilings – Prime any surfaces you’ll paint the gold color so the shade is true.
– Caulk along trim – Filling gaps with caulk gives trim a smooth finished look against the walls.
Taking this time to prep surfaces means you won’t have to go back and do touch ups later.
Tips for Painting a Room Gold
Follow these tips as you apply gold paint for flawless results:
– Use high-quality paint – Invest in premium paints like Farrow & Ball estate eggshell or Behr metallic paint. Cheap paint won’t give the true luxurious gold look.
– Apply two coats – Or follow the manufacturer’s recommendation. Metallic paint often requires an extra coat to fully cover and give a vivid effect.
– Maintain a wet edge – Blend each section as you go so edges don’t dry and show lap marks. Work in sections small enough to keep the area wet.
– Use a high-quality roller – A microfiber or velour roller smoothly applies metallic paint. Dispose of rollers after so they don’t contaminate future paint jobs.
– Brush paint on trim – Use an angled trim brush to apply gold paint smoothly on corners and trim areas a roller can’t easily reach.
– Check lighting at different times – Gold paint can look dramatically different in morning versus evening light. View the paint color in the space at various times of day.
– Go for full coverage – Unlike regular paint, you typically don’t do touch ups with metallic paint. Re-coat entire walls for a seamless look if needed.
Take your time with cutting in edges and rolling on the gold paint. Metallic paint shows imperfections easily, so careful application helps hide any errors.
Best Gold Paint Brands
You’ll find many brands offering gold paint options both in stores and online. Here are some top quality gold paints to consider:
| Brand | Gold Paint Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Behr | Glittering Gold | Metallic acrylic enamel |
| Benjamin Moore | Wealth Gold | Regal Metallic enamel |
| Sherwin-Williams | Sensuous Gold | Metallic acrylic |
| Valspar | Gilded Glamour | Metallic paint |
| Rust-Oleum | Gold Metallic | Oil-based paint |
These premium brands offer gold shades in a wide range to suit any style and budget. Many also have coordinating metallic paint colors to create a complete glamorous look.
While more expensive than standard wall paints, quality gold paints offer better coverage and a truer, more even finish. The splurge is worth it to achieve the beautiful metallic results you want.
How Much Gold Paint is Needed?
To calculate how much gold paint you need, measure the room’s wall space:
– Measure wall height and width – Calculate total square footage of walls to be painted. This includes any accent walls.
– Account for doors/windows – Subtract the area of any floor to ceiling doors or windows on the walls to be painted gold.
– Consider ceiling and trim – If painting them too, measure and add those square footages.
– Factor in furniture spacing – Reduce square footage a bit if large furniture pushes you off the walls in areas.
Once you know the approximate wall square footage, use a paint calculator to determine how many gallons you need. Most gold paints cover around 300-400 square feet per gallon. Buy a little extra since metallics often take more coats.
Having too little metallic paint half way through is a disaster. Investing in that extra gallon avoids mismatched batches or discontinued colors if you need more later.
How Much Does it Cost to Paint a Room Gold?
The costs involved in painting a room gold include:
– **Gold paint** – $30 to $70+ per gallon. Metallic and high-end paints cost more. Estimate 1-2 gallons for a medium bedroom.
– **Paint supplies** – $30 – Rollers, brushes, trays, drop cloths, etc. Masking tape and primer also add up.
– **Prep materials** – $20 – Filler, spackle, sandpaper, cleaning supplies. More if surfaces need extensive repairs.
– **Furniture moving** – $0 or hire movers. Moving large furniture yourself risks damaging walls and takes time.
So in total, expect to spend around **$100 to $300** to paint an average 10×12 bedroom gold. Accent walls cost less while painting an entire great room or high-ceiling area costs more in paint and supplies. Hiring professional painters also increases the cost.
Here’s a sample breakdown to paint a 10×12 bedroom with one accent wall:
– Gold paint: 2 gallons at $50 each = $100
– Paint supplies: $30
– Prep materials and minor drywall repairs: $20
– Furniture moving: $0 (handled yourself)
**Total:** Approximately $150
While not cheap, gold paint creates a luxurious look that would cost 10 times more with real gold leafing or expensive wallpapers. The dramatic transformation is well worth the investment.
Furniture and Decor for a Gold Room
The furniture and decor you pair with gold walls can make or break the look. Follow these tips:
– **Keep furniture neutral** – Let the gold walls shine by choosing pieces in creams, whites, black or wood tones. Avoid competing colors.
– **Incorporate metallic accents** – Accessories in rose gold, silver, brass or copper complement the gold beautifully. Mirrors also enhance the glam vibe.
– **Add soft textures** – Layer in velvet, faux fur, silk and wool textiles to prevent the room from feeling too hard and cold.
– **Dim lighting is best** – Gold paint can look gaudy under bright white light. Use table lamps, sconces and chandeliers to cast a flattering warm glow.
– **Carefully choose art** – Black and white photography or abstract art holds up well against shiny gold walls. Avoid busy prints or colorful pieces.
Take time decorating a gold space. Carefully selected furnishings and decor let the gold color sing rather than feeling jarring or overwhelming.
Gold Paint Ideas for Different Rooms
While a dramatic option, gold paint can work in nearly any room with the right approach. Consider these ideas:
### Living Room Gold Walls
Paint the fireplace wall or accent wall behind the sofa a rich antique gold. Neutral furnishings allow it to stand out. Add gold candlesticks, vases and pillows for a glamorous parlor look.
### Gold Bedroom Walls
In bedrooms, use a soft champagne gold on an accent wall behind the headboard. Pair with white and cream bedding and golden mirrored nightstands for a peaceful retreat.
### Gold Bathroom Walls
For a glam bathroom, paint the sink wall in a bold shiny gold. Hang a large round mirror above the vanity to catch the light. Keep the rest of the space simple.
### Gold Dining Room
In formal dining spaces, an old gold shade on the walls mimics the look of historic wallpapers. Set the table with gold-rimmed china and mercury glass vases for dramatic effect.
### Gold Kitchen
For a small touch of gold in kitchens, paint just the island, upper cabinets or an accent wall in a bronze or rose gold metallic paint. Add gold hardware on cabinets.
Ceilings and Trim
Painting both ceilings and trim gold creates a cocooning effect as the metallic color surrounds you. While stunning, avoid going gold on absolutely everything if:
– The space has low ceilings – Gold reflects light and can make rooms feel closed in and dark if ceilings are too low.
– The room lacks natural light – Gold paint will look dark and dingy without enough sunlight coming in. Supplement with ample lighting.
– The floors are also going metallic – Too much gold is overwhelming. If you have gold floors, keep ceilings and trim neutral.
Consider adding a gold ceiling or trim only in rooms with:
– Tall or vaulted ceilings – Gold paint has room to shine and feels airy and open.
– Plenty of natural light – Sunlight bouncing off the metallic surfaces makes them sparkle.
– Neutral flooring – Gold walls work best against white, light hardwood or concrete flooring.
Painting the ceiling and trim gold suits spacious, light-filled rooms best for a harmonious glam look. Otherwise, just adding gold to one or two walls provides enough dazzle.
Gold Paint Maintenance
While gold paint instantly elevates a space, it does require some minor maintenance to keep walls looking their best:
– Use gentle cleaners – Clean gold walls with a soft microfiber cloth and mild pH-neutral cleaner like Method or Murphy Oil soap diluted in water.
– Avoid abrasive scrubs – Never use abrasive sponges or scouring pads as they will scratch the metallic paint surface.
– Dust regularly – Use a feather duster or dry microfiber cloth to dust walls frequently. Gold paint attracts dust more than flat paints.
– Touch up scratches – Gently sand any nicks or scratches and reapply gold paint just to the damaged spot.
– Replace outlet plates often – Switch plates on gold walls get grimy with fingerprints and need replacing every 1-2 years.
– Diffuse natural light – Hang sheer curtains over windows to soften direct sunlight hitting the gold walls, which fades the color.
– Reapply Polyurethane once a year – Lightly sand the walls and add two thin coats of water based polyurethane to reinforce the gold paint when it starts looking dull.
With proper care, gold painted walls should maintain their luxurious look for many years before needing a full re-paint. Use painters tape along trim when reapplying gold paint for easy touch ups.
Conclusion
Painting an entire room gold may seem like a design risk, but the glamorous effect is well worth it. The right rich shade of gold paint added to just one wall or multiple surfaces can transform a space into a treasure box of luxury. With careful selection of furniture and decor, gold walls feel inviting rather than ostentatious in both traditional and modern rooms. Prepping surfaces is key along with using a premium quality metallic paint. While not the easiest color to maintain, gold painted walls will leave you feeling like royalty.
