Gold accents can add a touch of glamour and elegance to any living room. When used judiciously, gold décor can make a space feel luxurious and put-together. The key is to use gold accessories in moderation, balancing them with other metallic and neutral tones. Here are some tips on how to successfully incorporate gold into your living room décor.
Determine Your Style
Before shopping for gold accents, take some time to consider the overall style and color palette of your living room. Gold can work with a variety of design aesthetics, from traditional to contemporary. If your living room features a lot of creams, taupes and soft blues, metallic gold accessories will provide a nice contrast. For a more modern living room with gray and black hues, opt for brushed gold or gold with a distressed patina.
Start Small
When first introducing gold into a space, start small with accessories and decorative objects. Look for lamps, vases, trays, frames and other items featuring goldhardware or accents. A gold frame on a piece of artwork or a few metallic gold candles are simple ways to test drive the look. You can always add bolder gold pieces later on if you like the effect.
Try a Gold Mirror
An easy way to incorporate gold is with a mirror frame. Gold framed mirrors instantly glam up a living room. Opt for a classic ornate frame for a traditional look. Or try a circular mirror with simple gold trim for a more contemporary accent. Place a gold mirror above a console or sofa to reflect light and create the illusion of a larger space.
Use Gold Accessories
Accessories like throw pillows, blankets and décor items are another way to start small with gold. Try a luxurious faux fur throw in a metallic champagne tone. Add a few gold accent pillows to your sofa or chairs to tie the space together. A gold vase, bowl or tray makes an eye-catching display for flowers, seashells or decorative objects.
Upgrade Your Coffee Table
Coffee tables are an ideal spot to showcase some glamour. If your current table needs an update, choose one with gold accents as part of its design. A marble or glass top coffee table with gold metal legs is a classic choice. For a more modern look, try a sleek lacquered table with gold detailing along the edges.
Consider Lighting
Lighting makes a great statement when finished in gold. A gold chandelier or pendant light instantly elevates a living room. For accent lighting, use a table lamp with a metallic gold base paired with a neutral shade. You can also install wall sconces or track lighting with gold details. Dimmer switches allow you to control the mood lighting.
Incorporate Gold Textiles
Don’t be afraid to use gold in your soft furnishings and textiles as well. Throw a faux fur rug in a champagne tone on the floor to add warmth. Choose curtains or accent pillows in a gold and ivory print. A gold blanket draped over a chair or sofa adds a nice decorative effect. Use gold strategically in your fabrics for maximum visual impact.
Display Gold Decor Items
Look for unique gold decorative objects to display in your living room. Gold bowls, vases, boxes and trays make an elegant addition to bookshelves, side tables or mantels. For a bit of sparkle, add a gold geode sculpture or decorative bowl filled with glass beads. A gold Buddha statue, celestial globe or miniature treasure chest makes an intriguing conversation piece.
Add Gold to an Accent Wall
Take gold décor to the next level by adding metallic wallpaper or paint to an accent wall. A brocade pattern in muted gold tones works beautifully behind furnishings. For a bolder look, paint one wall in a dark green, navy or eggplant hue and stencil on an intricate gold design. Painting the wall behind your TV or media center is a nice focal point.
Incorporate Gold into Artwork
Gold framed artwork immediately catches the eye. But you can also find prints, paintings and photography featuring gold tones within the image itself. Look for abstracts with metallics blended into the colors. Black and white cityscape photography gains new life touched up with gold embellishments. Watercolors with sweeping gold brushstrokes feel both contemporary and elegant.
Add Sparkle with Gold Decor
For a little more shimmer and shine, look for accessories decorated with beads, sequins and rhinestones. A vase filled with gilded branches and sprays of faux flowers is an elegant arrangement. Try a table lamp with a beaded gold base topped with a drum shade. Or fill a glass bowl with gold pinecones, orbs and other sparkly embellishments to use as a centerpiece.
Pay Attention to Scale
As you add gold items, be careful not to go overboard. Gold décor is best used judiciously as accents to other finishes and colors in the space. Choose small accessories to keep the look refined. Larger gold pieces like a sectional, ottoman or area rug may feel imposing. Work in a mix of metallic and non-metallic textures so gold does not dominate.
Look for Gold in Unexpected Places
Gold doesn’t have to just exist in frames, fabrics and decorative objects. You can find gold finishes in unexpected places like side tables, storage ottomans and kitchen carts. Gold legs or hardware on an accent piece lends a glam touch. Or try a ceramic garden stool in a glossy metallic gold glaze as a side table. An oversized gold-finished urn makes a striking planter.
Incorporate Gold in the Kitchen
Don’t leave gold accents exclusively in the living room. Carry this glam look into the kitchen by adding a gold pendant light over the sink or island. Use gold barstools with white or marble counters for contrast. Display a set of gold canisters or serveware. Try open shelving in a bronze or gold finish. Use gold hardware like cabinet knobs and pulls throughout the kitchen.
Balance Gold with Other Tones
Gold looks best when combined with contrasting metals and neutrals. Pair your gold accents with touches of silver, pewter, nickel, chrome or brass for variety. Creamy ivories, warm browns and sophisticated grays make the ideal neutral backdrops. Too much gold paired together looks gaudy. The key is exercising restraint.
Conclusion
The right gold accents can transform any lackluster living room into a glamorous space. Start small with accessories and lighting, then build up to larger statement pieces and metallic wall décor. Look for ways to incorporate gold into artwork, textiles and unexpected places like ottomans and urns. Maintain balance by pairing gold with other metals and plenty of neutrals. With a careful, edited approach, a touch of gold can give your living room an elevated style perfect for entertaining.
| Type | Gold Accent Ideas |
|---|---|
| Mirrors | Framed mirror, circular mirror with gold trim |
| Accessories | Throw pillows, blankets, vases, bowls, trays |
| Coffee Tables | Marble top with gold legs, lacquered top with gold edges |
| Lighting | Chandelier, pendant light, lamps, wall sconces |
| Textiles | Faux fur rug, curtains, accent pillows, throws |
| Artwork | Framed prints, gold-embellished photography, abstracts with metallics |
| Sparkle | Beaded vases, rhinestones, sequins, gilded branches |
| Unexpected Places | Kitchen carts, storage ottomans, ceramic garden stools |
