I really wasn't sure about using gold fixtures when we renovated this house.
I liked the idea of warming things up with gold, but I was also a little worried it might end up looking like the older shiny brass and gold finishes that can make a house feel dated.
So I took a chance — and I'm really glad I did.
The key for me was shopping specifically for brushed gold.
That gave me the warmer, softer gold finish I was actually looking for.
Trying to Keep the Mid-Century Feel
This is an older mid-century house, and I didn't want to renovate it in a way that completely erased that character.
I wanted it to feel more updated and modern, but still have that little bit of vintage and mid-century personality.
For me, the brushed gold ended up fitting that look really well.
It feels warmer than chrome or silver, but still looks clean and current when you choose the right finish.
A look at some of the brushed gold accents we used throughout the house.
Where We Used Brushed Gold
Once I decided I liked the finish, I started carrying it through different parts of the house.
We used brushed gold in things like:
- Doorknobs
- Cabinet handles and pulls
- Light fixtures
- Other fixtures and hardware
- Small decorative accents
I didn't want every single thing in the house to be gold, but repeating the finish in different places helped everything feel more intentional.
Brushed Gold vs. the Old Gold Look
This was probably my biggest concern going into it.
I didn't want the house to suddenly feel like we had brought back the shiny yellow-gold fixtures from decades ago.
The difference, at least for the look I wanted, was choosing a softer brushed finish.
Brushed gold has a more muted look and doesn't feel nearly as bright or shiny.
That made it much easier to mix with the other colors and finishes we were using throughout the house.
What I learned:
If you like the warmth of gold but are worried about it looking dated, try searching specifically for brushed gold instead of just gold.
Creating a Modern Vintage Look
The whole goal with this renovation was to make the house feel updated without turning it into something completely different.
I wanted that balance between modern and vintage.
The brushed gold ended up being one of those little details that helped pull that look together.
It's warm, a little unexpected, and works really well with the mid-century feel of the house.
Some of My Gold Finds
After using brushed gold throughout this renovation, I've definitely started noticing more gold pieces when I'm shopping.
I put together a list of some of my favorite gold finds and similar pieces if you're trying to create the same kind of look.
Would You Use Gold Fixtures?
I was hesitant at first, but this ended up being one of those design choices I'm really happy we took a chance on.
And now I'm curious — would you use brushed gold fixtures in your house, or are you still team silver and chrome?
Sometimes the thing you're most unsure about ends up being one of your favorite details.
More of Our Home Projects
If you like seeing the design decisions that go into our renovations, you can also check out our dining room mini makeover, our living room makeover, or visit our About Us page to see more of our projects and family.
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