Gold has always been one of the most sought-after finishes. For thousands of years, the precious metal has reigned supreme in architecture and design not just because of its shine but also because of its malleability. The latter makes it ill-suited for structural uses but perfect for decorative ones. You'll see gold in the artifacts of cultures from all around the world, but the ancient Egyptians were the first to beat the soft material into fine sheets that could be used to coat almost anything, according to Craftsmanship Magazine. And while we may not be coating sarcophagi in gold leaf anymore, we do still use it to add beauty to the important things in our lives, like our homes. Art supply stores carry the kind of gold leaf sheets you need for gilding, which has been taking off as a trendy DIY craft.
TikToker @bland_design posted a video to the social media platform showing the progress as he redid his hallway, which included painting the wooden floors, adding mirrors to the cabinets on the bookshelves, and gilding just about every detail he could—the ceiling, part of the floors, and accents on the staircase and walls. It's clear from the content that he's completing this project with care, and he makes the gilding part look so easy and quick. Plus, the end result is simply stunning. However, any DIYer who has worked with gold leaf sheets knows how temperamental they are—especially if there's any type of breeze in the room. Read this expert advice before you commit to making over your own entryway.
What To Know Before DIYing With Gold Leaf
Prop stylist and former Martha Stewart Living home editor Lorna Aragon has never seen anyone gild their floors before, but she is very experienced with gilding and every which way you can do it. "There are quite a few different types of products you can use to get [the desired] effect," Aragon tells House Beautiful. While the main two methods people tend to use are gold leaf sheets and gold paint, Aragon prefers the sheets because they "come out shinier" than the paint does. However, "the sheets can be a little difficult," she warns.
You can create some truly beautiful decor pieces with the sheets—and they don't have to be large to make an big impact. "In the past for projects I've done, the insides of lampshades [are] really pretty because then you get that really gold glow when the light is on. I've also done frames and mirrors and things like that," Aragon explains.
How Do You Apply Gold Leaf Sheets?
Easy Leaf Products Old World Art Composition Metal Leaf and Kits
Before you even open the package, give whatever you're gilding a good wipe down to remove dust, dirt, and lint, Aragon suggests. You can use an old towel; a painting tack cloth will do an especially good job at grabbing the particles. "If you're doing it on a piece of wood, maybe just a little bit of a light sand might help the glue soak in better," she says. If you do sand your item, wipe it down really well afterward.
"[The sheets] are kind of fragile and delicate, and basically what you do is you paint on an adhesive, and you put the leaf on top. Then you burnish it with a fine brush. So it's more time consuming and more delicate," Aragon explains. "You can even buy a whole kit that has the special glue and the sheets. And then you can apply a sealer on top of that too, to seal it."
Aragon's gold leaf sheets of choice come from Easy Leaf Products and include everything you need to get started: adhesive, the sealer, two brushes, a burnishing cloth, and a book of leafing material.
Is Using Gold Leaf Worth It?
Aragon has never had any trouble applying gold leaf to the material of her choosing, though she says she wouldn't be shocked if glossy ceramic gave a bit of trouble. The only issues she has run into in the past was an annoying breeze. "Definitely make sure you're in a room that doesn't have a lot of wind or airflow because the sheets are super thin and very delicate," she says. "A little bit of breeze kind of blows it…. Just be patient and careful."
Wind aside, if anyone were to skip out on this particular craft, it would likely be because of the time commitment, the mess, and the flimsiness of the sheets. Though it depends on what adhesive you use, Barnabas Gold suggests waiting until the glue "turns clear and tacky" before applying the sheets, which can take 15 to 30 minutes. After that long wait, you still have to be extremely careful in transferring the gold leaf from the sheet to your desired surface, hoping with every fiber of your being that the delicate sheet won't rip. While it's okay to have some wrinkles in the gold because you're just going to smooth it out as best you can with a brush anyway, some flakes are bound to fall off, like in @bland_design's video as he buffs out the ceiling.
Depending on the size of your project, this won't be a quick craft. It's up to you to decide if the beautiful, shiny end result is worth it.
Meghan Shouse is House Beautiful's Assistant Editor, a role she has held since September 2023. On top of being the magazine's go-to Waco expert, Meghan also touches on quite a few other verticals in the digital space, like hot news content featuring your favorite HGTV stars, home design inspiration, and the latest interior TikTok trends. However, her favorite pieces are the ones that start conversations, such as stories about resale value and whether or not the Solo cup is chic. Before becoming a home writer, Meghan worked in the fashion industry for two years, writing for Harper's Bazaar after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor's degree in apparel merchandising. When she's not interviewing interior designers about home trends, you can find Meghan reading a fictional thriller with her cat in her lap, planning themed parties, or strolling through flea markets searching for chunky candle holders and vintage bookends.
