One of the most uplifting colors, decorating with gold is sure to lift your spirits and it is perhaps not surprising that this joyful option is experiencing a modern renaissance in interiors.
From subtle flecks of gold detailing to full-on gold walls and ceilings, metallic gold brings warmth and radiance to every surface it touches. Along with its mood-enhancing qualities, gold is a highly versatile color that can be paired with many other shades to make a home look expensive and rich.
‘Luxurious gold brings in a touch of warmth and optimism to a room, perfect for bringing a sense of positivity into the home,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown. ‘The color creates a sense of calm with a feeling of restfulness and well-being.’
The decorating potential of gold as a room color idea should never be underestimated.
Decorating with gold at home
Hugely diverse decorating with gold can be used to create spaces that are stimulating and energizing, fun or formal, to cozy and welcoming. Here’s how a selection of our favorite interior designers use gold to curate beautiful spaces.
1. Paint the fifth wall
(Image credit: Mylands / Manolo Yllera)
‘Historically associated with wealth and opulence, gold hasn’t typically been chosen for bedrooms for risk of appearing garish, but its warm tones create a gentle, glowing atmosphere ideal for an intimate and sophisticated space,’ says Dominic Myland, CEO of Mylands.
Design studio Sella Concept drenched this room floor-to-ceiling in FTT-001™ to great effect; it’s a space that feels modern but enticing.
2. Use gold to liven-up kitchen cabinets
(Image credit: Jaime Beriestain Studio)
‘The gold color is an invitation to dream and to travel,’ says Jamie Beriestain, founder, of Jaime Beriestain Studio. ‘I don’t use it a lot, but sometimes it can fill a space with light. I loved that the kitchen, a room that is usually not the “main character” of the flat, became the center of attention.’
3. Enhance a small powder room with gold walls
(Image credit: Monica Fried Design / Nicole Franzen Photography)
Using metallic gold paint at home is ideal for introducing texture and ‘movement’ to walls – and it gives a unique finish with not much effort.
‘We achieved the golden ochre walls with a plaster limewash paint from a French company called Ressource,’ says Monica Fried, founder, of Monica Fried Design. ‘It makes a wonderful complement to the Cipollino Fantastico stone, vintage Swedish sconces and brass fittings.’
4. Add luxury to a main bedroom
(Image credit: Surface View)
‘The natural beauty of Japan will infuse your room with a sense of peace and history,’ says Daniel Field, managing director, Surface View. ‘With its flecked gold backdrop, this wallpaper mural lends opulent texture and grandeur to the bedroom, making it more than just a place to sleep.’
5. Go bold in the bathroom with an all-over metallic color scheme
(Image credit: James McDonald / Barlow & Barlow)
‘We had a lot of fun designing this space for Drummonds,’ says Lucy Barlow, co-director, of Barlow & Barlow. ‘We’re always encouraging clients to go bolder, and gold makes a room feel luxurious. A downstairs loo or a modern powder room is a great place for gold as it can tie in well with brass or nickel sanitary ware.’
One of the most uplifting colors, decorating with yellow is sure to lift your spirits and it is perhaps not surprising that this joyful option is experiencing a renaissance in interiors.
From pretty primrose, soft buttermilk and golden yoke, to zesty lemons and sunflower or mustard hues, yellow brings warmth and sunshine to every surface it touches. Along with its mood-enhancing qualities, yellow is a highly versatile color that can be paired with many other shades.
Hugely diverse decorating with yellow can be used to create spaces that are stimulating and energizing, fun or formal, to cozy and welcoming.
With an array of shades to choose from and many beautiful yellow room ideas, there is no end to the potential that yellow can offer in decorating.
‘Sunny yellow brings in a touch of warmth and optimism to a room, perfect for bringing a sense of positivity into the home,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown. ‘The color creates a sense of calm with a feeling of restfulness and well-being.’
Find expert advice on some of the best ways to use yellow around the home.