Adding gold accents is an easy way to elevate your interiors — whether it's a gilded mirror, shiny hardware or through your décor and furnishing choices. But as for working out what colors go with gold? That isn't always to straightforward. While gold is considered by many designers to be a neutral color, as a metallic, it can vary vastly in tone and texture. Paired wrong, it can quickly feel dated and overdone.
The best way to avoid this is to establish a base color scheme first, and then layer in gold as an accent. So, if you want to use green, research the colors that go with green, then check your pairing works with gold too. Gold undertones can fall anywhere between yellow and orange on the color wheel, so it helps to know what specific tone you're working with before you start.
To help you find what shades you should be looking for — and how to use them in a modern and contemporary way — we spoke with the experts in color theory and interior designers for their favorite ideas.
How to decorate with gold in your home
Before we delve in, a few notes on using gold in a color scheme. "Golden hues bring a warm, inviting glow that can transform a room, infusing it with a sense of luxury and comfort," says Hannah Yeo from Benjamin Moore. "Even in small doses, gold can be a striking accent, drawing attention to intricate architectural details such as ornate trim and decorative pieces."
But you need to carefully consider the spaces you style it in. "As with many bright yellow tones, gold can become more intense in direct sunlight," adds Hannah. "Assess the natural light in your space and choose a shade that complements it."
Interior designer Cathy Dean, founder of Studio Dean, also recommends paying close attention to your finish. "Gold can quickly become brash unless used with care," she says. "Opt for burnished and aged finishes to give a sense of authenticity over its shiny counterparts. Place it with matte chalky finishes and low sheen paints and paper to keep things sophisticated."
Read on to discover which colors the experts recommend pairing with gold — and how to use them for a truly contemporary look.
1. GOLD AND PINK
Pink and gold have always been a classic color pairing. In fact, it's one of the best colors to go with pink because it feels playful while still taking its place as a modern classic. Soft blush and dusty shades of pink are your best bet.
"Warm, lighter tones such as blush pink can look very modern," adds Tom Rutt, director of architecture firm TR Studio. For a more unusual combination, try a flash of something unexpected, like a dusk pink or vivid turquoise — this could go on something as simple as a single chair or oversized vase.
2. GOLD AND PURPLE
In a similar vein, the metallic finish can be one of the colors that go with purple too. "Blush pink, lavender and terracotta are some of my favorite colors to accent gold," says Grace Baena, an interior designer at online pre-loved furniture marketplace Kaiyo. "They really complement each other in a way that feels sophisticated without being too serious."
A striking example of the pairing can be seen in the maximalist bedroom shown above, designed by Crosby Studios. A shiny gold upholstered bedhead has been styled alongside vibrant purple bedding for a combination that feels both quite retro and very contemporary, all at the same time.
3. GOLD AND BLACK
Often associated with luxe schemes — but not always the good kind — black and gold can be a tricky pairing to pull off. Get it right, though, and it sings, like in this powder room; a masterclass in how to decorate with black. "When you say black and gold, it can conjure up some rather terrifying mental images," says Cathy Dean. To tone down the glamor, she recommends layering the colors with other softer, warmer shades for space that feels inviting. "Use gold with chalky off-blacks, inks and caramels to allow the gold to be part of the tonal palette, rather than the stand-out 'pop of color', which can appear brash," she says.
4. GOLD AND WHITE
White and gold might evoke images of Regency-era glamor — but used in a modern scheme, it can be a sleek and stylish pairing (particularly when paired with lots of other neutral textures). Case in point: this stunning curved archway by Heju Studio, which is lined with gold.
"For a chic Parisian apartment-effect, keep all other elements super calm to really let the gold take center stage," says Patrick O'Donnell, a color expert and ambassador for Farrow & Ball, who also suggest painting your walls in a "clean but not too cool" white like the brand's 'Wimborne White'.
Price: $38.98/gallon
5. GOLD AND DEEP RED
Many of the experts we spoke to advocated for classic jewel tones when selecting colors that go with gold. "Like all metallics, when gold is your base tone it acts as a neutral which means you can pair it with just about any color and it will work," says Megan Dufresne, the founder and principal designer of Californian-based MC Design. "In my personal design, I like to pair gold with deep jewel tones to create a rich and luxurious palette." Enter: red.
Perhaps the color of the year thanks to TikTok's 'unexpected red theory', the fiery shade works with gold too, especially when used in a deep burgundy shade. Stick to an antique gold finish to avoid the scheme feeling too brash, and don't be afraid to mix in other colors too. The red living room shown above has been color drenched in the shade, styled with a charcoal gray sofa and accented with a stunning gold home bar. A winning combination.
6. GOLD AND YELLOW
As its closest color match, gold is one of the colors that go with yellow, working well as a way to layer a scheme — creating a subtle glamor that never goes out of style. For this dining area by Honeybee Interiors, designer Sacha Berger opted for an opulent mustard-upholstered banquette seating.
"I wanted to create a warm and inviting feel for the dining area, so used a color palette of taupe walls and natural woods with mustard and gold accents," she explains. "The velvet is actually called 'Omega Brass'. It tonally layers with the metal accent in the lighting and detail in the back of the chairs, whilst also giving a strong pop of color that still balances in the overall scheme."
7. GOLD AND TERRACOTTA
For a grounded, earthy scheme, gold is a color that complements terracotta, as well as its cousin, paprika. "The on-trend color paprika — a more bolder version of terracotta — would be a great match to the warm metallic," says Tom Rutt.
Similar tones like Benjamin Moore's 'Cinnamon' (shown above) also work well with gold. When using it in this palette, consider layering up with warm-toned woods such as teak, and accent the scheme with hints of blue-green — or another one of Tom's suggestions: jade — for a cool twist, and to avoid things feeling too monochromatic.
8. GOLD AND GREEN
Green and gold took over from navy as a popular scheme, particularly for kitchens — and it's a great way to inject a little glamor into a space, too, as this green kitchen by interior design studio PlaidFox shows. "Deep green really pops alongside metallic gold or bronze touches that will enhance its warmth and give it shine," says Justyna Korczynska.
"Whether it’s a little dash of retro Hollywood chic on a brass cocktail trolley, a beautiful abstract chunk of metal for a coffee table or some judicious use of gold leaf or paint, gold screams glamor – so choose your pairings accordingly depending on the effect you want," adds Patrick O'Donnell. "For a full-on Beverly Hills look, think verdant greens such as 'Calke Green' or 'Emerald Green' to really make the gold accents register."
Cathy Dean also advocates for deep greens with warm tones for a fresh take on the look. "Golds and brass sit comfortably with dark greens, but head for a more forest or olive tone and steer clear of the blue greens with golds for a more contemporary feel," she says. Look, too, to pistachio, a lighter yellowy green that's making its way into modern schemes – and pairs particularly well with the warm tones of gold.
9. GOLD AND BLUE
Gold and deep, dark navy blues are a popular choice thanks to blue's ability to make metallics shine, as seen in this blue living room by Australian designer Greg Natale.
"For a more dramatic effect, consider pairing gold accents with deeper, richer tones like charcoal or navy hues," says Benjamin Moore's Hannah Yeo. "The contrast between the warm gleam of gold and the dark, moody base colors creates a striking visual impact. Touches of gold accents add a hint of opulence to the room, creating a look that is both stylish and timeless."
10. GOLD AND GRAY
Introducing neutrals into your scheme is a great way to make gold feel like a more natural part of the space. In this room by Chicago and LA-based interior designers Studio Gild, the team steered away from more traditional beiges, instead opting for the unexpected and sophisticated pairing of gold and warm grays.
"We infused bold punches of smoldering brass to intensify the provocative vibe of this moody bedroom," says Melissa Benham, principal at Studio Gild. "The subtle reflection casts a metallic glow on a dark palette that could otherwise have felt somber."
11. GOLD AND BEIGE
"Taupes, greiges and other tonal neutrals welcome gold into their roomscapes happily and the gold can elevate a scheme from relaxed to glamorous," says Cathy Dean. The key is to make sure your colors err on the warmer end of the spectrum. Gold is a color that goes with beige tones particularly well, but a silver-grey might not work quite the same, unless you're opting for a deliberate mixed-metal effect.
Is gold a neutral color?
Gold is considered, by many of the designers and color experts we spoke to, to be a neutral color. "Gold is one of my favorite neutrals to layer in any palette," says Studio Gild's Melissa Benham. "Even the smallest dose elevates a space with incomparable warmth and luminosity."
TR Studio's Tom Rutt agrees: "Gold in many respects can be considered a neutral. It pairs with many other colors, but I think it looks most sophisticated when teamed with very dark tones such as charcoal, chocolate brown or olive green, aubergine and navy."
What colors don't go with gold?
As a versatile color, there are very few colors that don't go with gold, as you've seen through this article. However, the key is getting the tones right — warmer colors will work better with the natural warmth of the metallic. Paying attention to trends, it's clear that classic pairings like dark blue and gold are falling out of favor, too. (Although, don't let this deter you.)
Some recommend avoiding mixed metals in a scheme, but we've seen an increasing number of designers creating amazing looks by doing just that. It's an upcoming trend we're really enjoying, so we wouldn't rule it out just yet.
One final thing to note is to watch out for your other color combinations — in particular, green and red. It's fine for Christmas, sure — but not something most of us want in our homes for the rest of the year.
