I’ve owned this side table for years and it’s gone through several transformations. When I first bought it, it had a glossy, slightly tacky finish. Since then it became a color-blocked piece, then an all-lilac table, and now it’s been gilded. The golden version is my favorite so far.
If you’d like to try gold leafing a side table, or pretty much any other item, here’s a clear, practical tutorial you can follow.
Read on for the complete gold leafing process and tips to get a polished, long-lasting finish.
Materials
- Old piece of furniture, such as a side table
- Gold leaf sheets (I used roughly 20–25 sheets for this table)
- Metal leaf adhesive (sizing) — this is the special glue for gold leaf
- One paint brush to apply the sizing and another dry brush to remove excess leaf
- Clear sealer to protect the finished surface
Step-by-step instructions
1. Prepare the surface: Make sure the table is clean and free of dust, grease, or debris. Wash with mild soap and water if needed and dry completely with a lint-free cloth.
2. Apply sizing: Using a paint brush, spread a thin, even coat of metal leaf adhesive over the area you plan to gild. Aim for a smooth finish with minimal visible brush marks. Work in manageable sections if the piece is large.
3. Wait for tackiness: Allow the sizing to dry until it becomes tacky. Depending on the product and room conditions this typically takes between 15 and 60 minutes. The adhesive should be sticky to the touch but not wet.
4. Lay the gold leaf: Carefully apply gold leaf sheets one at a time to the tacky adhesive. Gently press each sheet into place, overlapping slightly as needed to cover the area. If sheets tear, that’s normal—small pieces work well for filling gaps.
5. Continue until covered: Repeat the process—sizing, waiting, and applying leaf—until the entire surface is covered. Work patiently to avoid disturbing already-adhered areas.
6. Remove excess: After the adhesive has fully set, use a clean, dry brush to sweep away any loose gold foil that didn’t adhere. This helps refine edges and smooth the surface.
7. Cure and seal: Allow the gilded surface to cure for about 24 hours. Then apply a clear sealer to protect the delicate gold leaf from wear and oxidation. Choose a sealer appropriate for metal leaf and the intended use of the piece.
Tip: Gold leaf produces a glamorous, reflective finish. If you want to tone down the shine, balance it with painted elements—on this table I painted the legs a bright blue to add a cool, modern contrast.
Photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
This technique works well on many surfaces: dressers, shelves, chair accents, trays, small dishes, artwork frames, and plant pots. For smaller projects, you’ll use fewer sheets and can work more quickly.
Got ideas for other gold leaf projects? I’d love to hear your suggestions and see what you create.