The Return of Gold Accents in the Home

There are some styles that make a comeback and make people wonder what we were all thinking. Then, there are some that get their second time in the spotlight for good reason, as with gold accents and accessories throughout the home. Especially in bathroom and kitchen design, the return of gold accents is upon us and it is quickly changing the way people think about modern bathroom design.

Metallic embellishments have been making a comeback for a few years now, but gold has lagged behind. Finally, though, we’re seeing it appear more and more in the bathroom, and in all kinds of styles and designs. Gold can be rustic, elegant, contemporary, traditional, and so many other things, depending on the exact finish and the piece(s) in question.

If you’re considering gold accents for your bathroom upgrade, here’s what you need to know.

Related: Bathroom Trends For 2023

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Photo by Carrick Custom Home Design

Table of Contents

What Designs Does Gold Work In?
What Colors Go with Gold?
Popular Gold Bathroom Accessories
A Touch of Elegance, A Touch of Style
Resources

What Designs Does Gold Work In?

Gold is a color that can work in just about any design scheme or style of bathroom. For example, you can have a gold-framed mirror in a modern bathroom, an oak vanity with gold hardware and fixtures in a traditional bathroom, and even a cool gold art sculpture or wall hanging for a vintage bathroom design.

It’s less about the design itself and more about whether the piece fits with the space. Take advantage of sites like Pinterest and Houzz to find photo inspiration of other bathroom designs that incorporate gold to see how you can put it to use. You can use it as the main accent or one of many, depending on the other colors you choose.

Alenya 4 Light Gold Metal Chandelier with Crystal Leaves

What Colors Go with Gold?

Depending on your color scheme, gold might not be the best choice. For example, while gold works great with wood tones and even black, certain shades may not go well with blues or greens. Some gold accents can make a blush pink look upscale and elegant, while others can make it look outdated and cheap.

Again, it’s all about the piece and whether it fits the greater design of the space. While you might not think gold would make a good accent for your color palette, adding it in the right ways can give you a whole new appreciation for this unique finish. The best colors to use with gold include:

White
Black
Wood tones
Gray
Brown

Usually, it’s best to keep away from bold colors if you want to use gold accents, with the exception of black and deep blues. However, again, it depends on the pieces and the overall design, so be sure to keep that in mind.

48 Inch Single Sink Bathroom Vanity in Latte Oak with Radiant Gold Pulls

Popular Gold Bathroom Accessories

There are several ways that you can use gold in the bathroom, but it’s almost always an accent. Below, you’ll find the most popular accessories and accents.

Hardware

Drawer pulls, handles, and hinges in gold are popular with white, wood, and black vanities. The gold hardware can also extend elsewhere in the bathroom, such as a storage cabinet or the hooks that you hang your towels on. Gold hardware is a great accent that looks luxurious and shiny, and creates an elegant feel in any space.

Plus, gold hardware comes in every finish, shape, size, and style imaginable. That includes everything from traditional to modern styles and plenty of shiny and muted shades of gold.

58.75 Inch Double Sink Bathroom Vanity in Glossy White with Radiant Gold Pulls

Mirrors

Aside from hardware, a gold bathroom mirror is probably one of the most common accents found in bathrooms today. Gold mirrors come in several styles and designs, including everything from simple, modern gold-framed mirrors to ornate, decorative mirrors with gold flake, carved details, and other accents.

They are also found in every size and shape imaginable. Granted, rectangular and oval mirrors are the most popular, but you’ll also find round mirrors, square mirrors, and shapes of all kinds that can be used for accents throughout the bathroom.

Gold Leaf Arched Bathroom Wall Mirror

Towel Bars and Hooks

Towel bars and hooks are necessary elements in any bathroom. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t also be decorative and stylish. Using gold towel bars and hooks in your bathroom can add an extra touch of elegance and style. Plus, it makes them appear to be more durable and high-quality, even when you choose bars or hooks that didn’t cost a lot to begin with.

Faucets and Fixtures

The sink, shower, and tub faucets and fixtures are another common place that you see gold in the modern bathroom. You can find shiny gold fixtures, antique gold and brushed gold finishes, and everything in between. These also come in a myriad of designs and styles so you can complement your space perfectly, no matter what your bathroom design theme might be. Once considered more outdated than not, gold faucets and bathroom fixtures are making a huge comeback.

Make sure that you consider all of the options that you have for faucets and fixtures, especially when it comes to the shower and its many fixture options. Whether you are creating a modern space or a traditional bathroom, you’ll find plenty to choose from.

Brown and Gold Rings Glass Vessel Sink

Toiletry Accessories

Gold soap dispensers, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, and other accessories are also growing in popularity. These are a simple, affordable way to add gold accents to any bathroom, no matter the budget. Plus, they come in several designs, too, so that they will fit in just about any space.

You can choose all-gold accessories or accessories that have gold accents. In either case, you’ll get items that look much more expensive than they are. Plus, they allow you to create the perfect elegant space down to the very last detail.

Balkan Modern Gold Wall Rectangular Mirror

A Touch of Elegance, A Touch of Style

Gold keeps making comebacks, and it will probably always be a popular finish for several different uses. From home decor to jewelry to art, gold is a color that designates status, riches, and opulence. Using it in your bathroom accents could be the perfect way to finish the look and create a space that’s uniquely yours. If you’re going to do that successfully, you’ll need to keep the tips and insight above in mind as you’re designing your new bathroom and choosing accessories.

My name is Julia Ritzenthaler, Founder and President of Unique Vanities, started in 2005. I started this business as an extension of our residential remodeling business, which focused on the design and build of custom cabinetry and architectural trim. I also worked as a financial advisor for 10 years at Ameriprise Financial, helping clients make sound money decisions, including budgeting for home improvement expenses. This expertise led me to start Unique Vanities, which offers a handpicked selection of high quality bathroom vanities, sinks, mirrors and more. You can find me most days sitting in Starbucks, my second office, or in my car driving my daughter across Dallas to gymnastics training.