10 Times Gold Spray Paint Made Ikea Products Even Better
If you couldn’t tell from my name (Anna Sundman!), I’m Swedish by heritage–my family actually comes from Småland. For Ikea-goers, this may register as the wonderfully convenient play area at which you drop your kids off–but it’s also where the company’s founder Ingvar Kamprad was born. I travelled to Sweden a few years ago, but alas it was before my decorating days! I shudder to think of all the fabulous Scandinavian design that I was in the midst of, but was oblivious to.
Perhaps because of this connection, I feel like Ikea and I have a “special bond.” We’re from the same ‘hood. We have the same interests. I like to think we’re besties. (Me and millions of other people around the world.)
I love Ikea hacks, Craigslist hunting, and DIY projects because it saves my clients so. much. money. If you like what you see here and would like to work together to design your space, shoot me an email at anna@annabode.com.
Using gold spray paint to switch things up around your house is old news of course, but I was interested to see which Ikea products specifically could be transformed, and what the results would be. Because it’s always nice to have a visual, along with a source!
I scoured the internet for the best transformations (and included a favorite one of my own). I hope they inspire you to tackle some pieces in your own home, perhaps ones you already own!
*Please remember to pin from the original source.
1. HUGAD Curtain Rod. This one is my own. I was lusting after these ones at West Elm, but they just weren’t in the budget. Painting my existing Ikea rods made a huge difference in my living room!
via The Lily Pad Cottage
2. KASSET Magazine Files. Adorable storage for your office or desk!
3. FOTO Pendant Lamp. Gold makes these pendant lights so. much. better.
via The Glitter Guide
4. TOBIAS Chair. Love the acrylic + gold + sheepskin effect!
via My Notting Hill
5. TRYSIL 3 Drawer Chest. It’s like a whole new dresser!
via Danielle Oakey Interiors
6. RIBBA Picture Frame. I’m guilty of this one myself. Best picture frames around.
7. EKBY BJÄRNUM Shelf Brackets. Gorgeous barnwood shelves with Ikea brackets.
via Hither and Thither
8. PATRIK Swivel Chair. I can’t even believe this transformation. And this would look so amazing with the blue version of the PATRIK!
9. VITTSJÖ Nesting Tables. Genius.
via Ikea Sweden
10. SAMSPELT Deer Decoration. Perfect modern holiday decor!
I’ve only ever used one brand of gold spray paint: Rustoleum Metallic Gold Spray Paint. I think it works great, but would love any other recommendations (I’ve heard amazing things about Montana).
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TO DO LIST
- Read this book.
- And this one.
- Keep what you need.
- Donate what you don't.
- Design mindfully.
cassie
| 4 November 2014oh my gosh YES!!!!!! i need to save this post to come back and visit these links!
sarah kingdom
| 25 June 2015AGREED! Great Ideas!
annabode
| 16 October 2015Thanks Sarah!
MaryNn
| 14 March 2019I used Benjamin Moore gold and silver metallic Mixed together. I primed the dreser with Gray prImer and the drawerS with white primer and it looks so rich. I ised a ratio of 1:1.
lakhee
| 23 March 2018wow love these ideas
Kristen
| 4 November 2014I wish Ikea wasn’t such a drive from here! Or… maybe that’s a good thing, as I’d probably spend a lot of money there!
annabode
| 18 November 2014Haha that’s my problem, I’m only 25 minutes away and it’s sooo dangerous. For my wallet.
Jennette
| 4 December 2014Thanks for this post. I have a giant gallery wall where I only use gold frames, and now i can add some ribba frames 🙂 I don’t know why I always forget I can just spray paint things 🙂
annabode
| 5 December 2014Any time Jennette! Spray paint does wonders 🙂
Summer Tarango
| 23 February 2015I tried to spray paint some of the frames last weekend for a gift. By the time I got to the party, it was already scratching off. I used Krylon with primer. Do you sand the frames down first? I didn’t do that.
annabode
| 26 February 2015Oh no! I don’t sand the frames first, but whenever I’ve done frames they just go directly from being painted to hanging on the wall — no transport or wrapping in between. Maybe try a coat of clear gloss spray paint on top?
Annie
| 12 August 2015If you want it to hold for touching and transporting, yeah, a firm sandpaper treatment is needed.
Charlene Boldt
| 30 January 2015My grandparents came here from Smaland , and I try to go to IKEA whenever I’m close enough. Guess we have a bit in common!!
annabode
| 2 February 2015That’s awesome Charlene! Perhaps we’re distantly related 🙂
karolin
| 7 February 2015Thank you for this! Love the ideas. And I actually live in Småland only a few miles from the original Ikea in Älmhult. 😉
annabode
| 19 February 2015You’re so welcome Karolin! I’m jealous, Småland was lovely when I visited. Thanks for stopping by!
AngelaB
| 15 February 2015Anna, Wonderful ideas. I was deep into mud paint until your article. Gold spray paint is so much easier and faster. I’m going to try other colors and surfaces too. Spring is right around the corner and I’m itching to start some transformations of my own. I’m also naturally lazy and impatient so spray paint could become my paint of choice. Watch out make-over candidates. Beware!
AngelaB
annabode
| 19 February 2015Haha, thanks Angela! I agree — spray paint is all around awesome (quick! cheap!). I too am lazy and impatient — so much so that when I painted my curtain rod, I couldn’t even wait for it to dry before flipping it over and doing the other side. Luckily it’s high up so you can’t see it very well – -but it’s not too pretty up close 🙂
Marissa
| 17 February 2016Did you buy thE black or white current rod, and how many coats Did you use?
annabode
| 19 February 2016Hi Marissa — I bought the black rod, though either would work. I believe I did 2-3 coats of spray paint.
Marissa
| 22 February 2016Thank you! Appreciate it! Doing this project this week! EEK!
annabode
| 22 February 2016Good luck! 🙂 I’d love to see how it turns out!
Bethany Noelle
| 24 February 2015This blog post is so inspiring. Lately I have been slightly obsessed with gold, rose gold, and copper home décor. I really like rose gold because it has a softer tone than gold. Anyways, I will almost certainly be doing some of these projects in the future. Thanks!
annabode
| 26 February 2015Thanks Bethany! I love rose gold too, but any kind of warm metallic is a-ok in my book :).
kim
| 16 March 2015I just spray painted my Vittsjo glass bookshelves a brass/gold colors. Looks so awesome!
annabode
| 24 March 2015Doesn’t gold just make everything better Kim? 🙂
Kim
| 9 January 2016Which Brand of gold spray paint did you use for the curtain rod? I just love it’s brightness and want to use it on frames!!!! thanks!
annabode
| 11 January 2016Hi Kim — I used Rustoleum Metallic in gold 🙂
Angela
| 1 April 2015montana spray smells alot. I tried acrylic spray paint, fast dry and not so smelly.
Ki
| 4 April 2015Hey there! Can you tell me what brand and shade of spray paint you used for the curtain rods? They look great!
Mia
| 22 April 2015Lovely ideas!!
(I’m from småland) and love to see different ideas to use on ikea products ☺
Monica
| 23 April 2015Found this post thorough pinterest. It’s great, thanks!!
Lynn Knox
| 27 May 2015i have found that Krylons gold leaf metallic spray is the best. It looks very close to gold leaf. I use only this for my projects
annabode
| 2 June 2015Thanks Lynn! I’ll have to try that one!
Annie
| 12 August 2015I only wish I had more things to spray paint! 😀 Love this, and a very inspiring blog post.
annabode
| 16 October 2015Thanks so much Annie! So do I 🙂
Neta
| 16 October 2015Hello!
I would like to know please, when you spray furniture, do you cover it with something? Some varnish or vax? To protect the color?
Thank you!!!
annabode
| 16 October 2015Hi Neta — good question! If you’re worried about chips, you can follow up with a few coats of clear spray paint. Be careful of clear coats over white though, as some products can yellow over time.
Amanda
| 28 October 2015For the Hugad curtain rods from Ikea, did you add on the Raffig finials as well? I am getting West Elm curtains this weekend (double points on Saturday AND $29/panel sale–yeay!) but as you wrote as well, their hardware is not in my budget. Happy to see that Ikea will deliver for only $10 the curtain rods to me–well worth saving the trip and the money on the hardware 🙂
Thanks!
annabode
| 28 October 2015Hey Amanda! Yes, I used the Raffig finials. Yay for new curtains and sales, and that’s awesome that Ikea will deliver! Good luck and I’d love to see the final result 🙂 if you want to share, tag me on Instagram @annabode
xoxo
Kayla
| 2 December 2015Hi,
I’m just from Dallas, Texas. Certainly not that exciting. So, I decorate. I am using navy and possibly coral (coral is not a definite at the moment) in a bath and in my master bedroom which is in another part of the house, I’ve decided to do black and white and a touch of animal print. Saw this on Pinterest. Loved it.
Kinda have my question answered here, but I literally cannot decide to use gold or silver. Or can I use both? Bathroom is a casual vibe with a slight coastal look. I cannot take my silver curtain rods back to Target so they will have to work somehow. I have MS and deal with constant fatigue and spraying those right now just isn’t an option. I love gold. Would love to hear suggestions. Thanks!
annabode
| 5 December 2015Hi Kayla!
Thank you so much for your comment — you asked an excellent question! You can definitely mix metals if you like that look, it’s really up to personal preference. For instance, our new kitchen has brass light fixtures and hardware but stainless steel appliances, sink, and faucet (you can see it on Instagram). The rest of the room is neutral so it works well. I think if your rooms are going to be bold (bright colors, patterns, etc.) then maybe stick to one finish (sounds like it’d be silver, since you can’t spray your curtain rods) so you can let everything else shine, but if the look is more subtle then mixing would probably work. And if you can’t use both now, you can always try gold in another room!
I hope that helps. If you like you can send some photos of your space so I can take a better look — my email is anna@annabode.com. Good luck and take care!
Kathleen Pinkham Edwards
| 9 December 2015Hi. I love love these ideas especially as I now have more inspiration to use my gold spray paint! I’ve seen a beautiful gold sprayed IKEA PS Maskros pendant light sprayed gold in one edition of Living etc magazine in a very swanky home. It’s good to see that we can mix expensive pieces with some IKEA hacks. I’m currently spray painting Cheap Christmas baubles to co-ordinate with this years theme. Merry Christmas
annabode
| 10 December 2015Hi Kathleen — Merry Christmas to you too! Spray paint is just the best, isn’t it? And I totally agree — since Ikea has always been such a design-focused company, their pieces really blend seamlessly with higher end design. Happy decorating!
Kimberly
| 31 January 2016Great blog!!! It’s given me great choices!
** I just want to say that the coffee table is from a different DIY project, and she admitted the final project (aka: the photo you used w the faux marble bottom) was actually finished in gold leaf (she wanted more than the spray could do) so that example is misleading 🙁 **
annabode
| 1 February 2016Thanks for letting me know Kimberly! Probably why it looks so good 🙂 but I’m sure it’s easy to recreate with spray paint if you wanted to.
vera
| 17 March 2016Wow these look really smart and easy. usually the ikea hacks I come across are so difficult I end up giving up on the idea… but these are actually doable! thanks for sharing xx
http://blingodesign.com/
Kristen
| 20 July 2016Have been looking at the west elm curtain rod daily and wishing i could justify it. I just can’t! I am so So excited to have found a DIY version with overall similar results. However, When look at the hugad curtain rod from ikea it says that it has an Epoxy/polyester powder coating. Were you still able to sand this for maximum adhesion?
Thank you! I’m off to Ikea this weekend!
annabode
| 31 July 2016No, I didn’t sand it since it’s made of plastic. The spray paint will stay on if you have tab curtains; if yours have grommets or rings though it will likely begin to wear off on the top after some use.
STacey
| 31 July 2016Love your ideas! I have bought the ikea nesting tables for my daughter’s apt. Did you do anything to it before you spray painted it? Sand? Prime? etc.
Thanks!
annabode
| 31 July 2016Thanks Stacey! For the curtain rod I didn’t do any prep — if you’re wondering about the nesting tables specifically, click the link below the image and it should bring you to the original post.
Amy
| 11 January 2017I am a gold spray paint addict. my roommate (who is a male) wants to kill me most of the time because I turn everything gold haha. I used to only use the rust-oleum paint you suggested, but home depot was out one day so I decided to try a different one (still rust-oleum and I love it soooo much more. I like the finish of this one more. I feel like it makes my decorations look more elegant than the one I used to use. hope you all enjoy it!
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleum-Universal-11-oz-All-Surface-Metallic-Pure-Gold-Spray-Paint-and-Primer-in-One-Case-of-6-245221/202058609
Clare
| 10 April 2017This is amazing! I’ve overlooked some of these products but they look fab! Do you use any kind of sealer to prevent scratches?
deb
| 3 July 2017Hi Anna,
This is awesome!
Love the nesting tables – how did you add that marble look on the bottom shelf? I would love to do this myself but not sure where to even begin looking for the marble piece.
love your creativity – ikea is life!
Janie
| 22 January 2018How did you get the metal off of the kassatt files so you could spray paint them? the label part i can see how to, but the corners seem quite firmly attached. thanks for any tips. yours look fantastic!
annabode
| 22 January 2018Hi Janie – that is not my project, but if you follow the link you can ask the original author!
LIZ
| 24 September 2018TOLSBY FRAME: PAINTED GOLD AND USED AT DAUGHTERS WEDDING FOR TABLE NUMBERS. HAD THE NUMBERS PAINTED WITH WHITE PAINT PEN.
Kanitra Strong
| 30 August 2020Can you put another link to the gold you used. The Home Depot one expired.