Decorating
Bright Spark: 21 Ways to Welcome Yellow Into Your Home
Love sunny yellow but don’t know how to make it work in your home? These chic and cheerful ideas are all the inspiration you need
Yellow can be soft or shocking, add energy or a mellow vibe, and exude country charm or edgy, modern appeal. In other words, it’s a versatile tone that can work in any room. However, while many people love the sunny shade, they tend to steer clear of it when decorating, fearing it may look too overpowering in their home.
The key to doing it right is having a carefully considered plan. Think about whether you want the colour to be the room’s main attraction or take a supporting role in the space, as well as what shade best suits your personality and whether it’s the best fit for the room. It’s also important to consider balance – think about how you can use different colours and design elements to either enhance or temper the specific shade and amount of yellow you’ve chosen for your scheme. The following inspiring spaces are a study in how to decorate your home with bright or mellow shades of yellow with great success.
The key to doing it right is having a carefully considered plan. Think about whether you want the colour to be the room’s main attraction or take a supporting role in the space, as well as what shade best suits your personality and whether it’s the best fit for the room. It’s also important to consider balance – think about how you can use different colours and design elements to either enhance or temper the specific shade and amount of yellow you’ve chosen for your scheme. The following inspiring spaces are a study in how to decorate your home with bright or mellow shades of yellow with great success.
2. Add eye-popping accents
Provide warmth and character to cool, muted colour schemes by adding splashes of look-at-me yellow around a room. Rather than making any permanent or costly changes, such as painting a yellow feature wall or investing in large furniture in the cheery hue, decorate your space with small accessories you can easily replace. That way, once your love affair with the tone is over, or you simply wish to swap the accents with decor in lighter or darker shades as the seasons change, you can mix things up without any fuss or bother.
Provide warmth and character to cool, muted colour schemes by adding splashes of look-at-me yellow around a room. Rather than making any permanent or costly changes, such as painting a yellow feature wall or investing in large furniture in the cheery hue, decorate your space with small accessories you can easily replace. That way, once your love affair with the tone is over, or you simply wish to swap the accents with decor in lighter or darker shades as the seasons change, you can mix things up without any fuss or bother.
3. Keep it in the family
The colour family, that is. Layer your space with contrasting shades of yellow for a dramatic look that offers loads of warmth and visual interest. This eclectic living room shows how it’s done; dark yellow-green grasscloth wallpaper anchors the room and infuses it with a touch of sophistication, while a tangerine and lemon artwork lightens the palette and adds a dash of cheerfulness. A strip of high-impact neon yellow runs across the rug, which breaks up the abundant use of turquoise and helps tie the colourful, contemporary look together.
Wall covering in 'Juicy Jute Grasscloth' (Split Pea): Phillip Jeffries
The colour family, that is. Layer your space with contrasting shades of yellow for a dramatic look that offers loads of warmth and visual interest. This eclectic living room shows how it’s done; dark yellow-green grasscloth wallpaper anchors the room and infuses it with a touch of sophistication, while a tangerine and lemon artwork lightens the palette and adds a dash of cheerfulness. A strip of high-impact neon yellow runs across the rug, which breaks up the abundant use of turquoise and helps tie the colourful, contemporary look together.
Wall covering in 'Juicy Jute Grasscloth' (Split Pea): Phillip Jeffries
4. Use it as a neutral
Want a base colour that’s creamier than beige, warmer than grey and has more character than crisp white? Then pale yellow is the perfect non-neutral neutral for you. We love these soft, buttery yellow walls – the tone makes the room look oh-so calm and inviting.
Want a base colour that’s creamier than beige, warmer than grey and has more character than crisp white? Then pale yellow is the perfect non-neutral neutral for you. We love these soft, buttery yellow walls – the tone makes the room look oh-so calm and inviting.
5. Brighten up a moody palette
Need to breathe life into a room that’s dressed in a dark colour scheme? Look no further than your new colour partner in crime: yellow. Intense shades that pop, add zing and immediately cut through moody tones are the perfect choice if you want to make a space look edgy and ultra modern, like this contemporary-meets-rustic bedroom. Lighter hues, on the other hand, will soften heavy palettes without shocking the senses.
Need to breathe life into a room that’s dressed in a dark colour scheme? Look no further than your new colour partner in crime: yellow. Intense shades that pop, add zing and immediately cut through moody tones are the perfect choice if you want to make a space look edgy and ultra modern, like this contemporary-meets-rustic bedroom. Lighter hues, on the other hand, will soften heavy palettes without shocking the senses.
6. Add a bunch of bright blooms
There’s no easier way to brighten up a room (and your mood!) than with a bunch of fresh, fragrant flowers in happy yellow hues. We think this beautiful white, green and golden arrangement looks pretty spectacular, but if you want a posy that’s more vibrant in colour, choose a bouquet of sun-kissed yellow tulips, lilies, roses or daffodils instead.
There’s no easier way to brighten up a room (and your mood!) than with a bunch of fresh, fragrant flowers in happy yellow hues. We think this beautiful white, green and golden arrangement looks pretty spectacular, but if you want a posy that’s more vibrant in colour, choose a bouquet of sun-kissed yellow tulips, lilies, roses or daffodils instead.
7. Combine contrasting elements
Take a leaf out of this colourful and eclectic living zone’s style playbook and introduce splashes of bold yellow in unexpected schemes and spaces. Here, a zesty citrus hue instantly perks up the darker tones, while the modern style of the eye-catching coloured fireplace and furniture contrast with the exotic, old-world look of the tribal decor, resulting in a room that oozes personality and packs a visual punch.
Warren Platner lounge chair in Chartreuse: Knoll
Take a leaf out of this colourful and eclectic living zone’s style playbook and introduce splashes of bold yellow in unexpected schemes and spaces. Here, a zesty citrus hue instantly perks up the darker tones, while the modern style of the eye-catching coloured fireplace and furniture contrast with the exotic, old-world look of the tribal decor, resulting in a room that oozes personality and packs a visual punch.
Warren Platner lounge chair in Chartreuse: Knoll
8. Go natural
If you want the warmth of yellow but desire a scheme that’s more organic in style, introduce natural materials with yellow undertones – such as this straw-toned raffia wallpaper – into your space. Blond timbers, honey-toned bamboo or light natural fibres are great options, too.
Monterey Collection wallpaper in 'Carolina Raffia' (Natural, T13040): Thibaut
If you want the warmth of yellow but desire a scheme that’s more organic in style, introduce natural materials with yellow undertones – such as this straw-toned raffia wallpaper – into your space. Blond timbers, honey-toned bamboo or light natural fibres are great options, too.
Monterey Collection wallpaper in 'Carolina Raffia' (Natural, T13040): Thibaut
9. Consider tinted cabinetry
Sick of your crisp white cupboards? Update your bathroom or kitchen with cheery yellow cabinetry that sings. Temper the tone with sophisticated greys, black, white and rustic or industrial accents, which will offset the vibrancy of the happy hue.
Sick of your crisp white cupboards? Update your bathroom or kitchen with cheery yellow cabinetry that sings. Temper the tone with sophisticated greys, black, white and rustic or industrial accents, which will offset the vibrancy of the happy hue.
10. Try a darker shade
If you’re not a fan of pastel yellow or brighter tints, believing they look too pretty, happy or lively, decorate your home with deeper shades such as mustard, gold or yellow-tinged olive. These colours will infuse your home with warmth, drama and chic appeal without being too cheerful or overwhelming.
Orla Kiely wallpaper in 'Giant Rhodedendrum' (HORL110411): Murrays Interiors
If you’re not a fan of pastel yellow or brighter tints, believing they look too pretty, happy or lively, decorate your home with deeper shades such as mustard, gold or yellow-tinged olive. These colours will infuse your home with warmth, drama and chic appeal without being too cheerful or overwhelming.
Orla Kiely wallpaper in 'Giant Rhodedendrum' (HORL110411): Murrays Interiors
11. Create a fun, colourful room kids will love
Bright yellow is a great colour choice for a youngster’s bedroom as it’s fresh, playful, oozes personality and offers universal appeal. However, be mindful to use the colour sparingly, or at the very least, balance large blocks of yellow with slicks of white and other contrasting hues to ensure your little one’s sleep sanctuary exudes a calm, soothing vibe, rather than being too energetic and stimulating.
Ferruccio Laviani FL/Y suspension lamp: Kartell
Bright yellow is a great colour choice for a youngster’s bedroom as it’s fresh, playful, oozes personality and offers universal appeal. However, be mindful to use the colour sparingly, or at the very least, balance large blocks of yellow with slicks of white and other contrasting hues to ensure your little one’s sleep sanctuary exudes a calm, soothing vibe, rather than being too energetic and stimulating.
Ferruccio Laviani FL/Y suspension lamp: Kartell
12. Go for gold
Desire a space that’s warm, welcoming and oozes grown-up glamour? Decorate your room with shimmering golden tones. Here, metallic penny tiles transform this otherwise run-of-the-mill traditional-style bathing zone into a show-stopping space that dazzles.
Read more: Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
Desire a space that’s warm, welcoming and oozes grown-up glamour? Decorate your room with shimmering golden tones. Here, metallic penny tiles transform this otherwise run-of-the-mill traditional-style bathing zone into a show-stopping space that dazzles.
Read more: Heavy Metals: 12 Rooms With Dazzling Metallic Decor
13. Team yellow and blue
Cool blue and warm yellow are a match made in colour heaven. You can use this eye-catching and extremely versatile combo in homes of all different styles, from contemporary dwellings to classic-meets-coastal abodes, such as the one shown here. Notice how soft, powder shades have been used to create a soothing and serene atmosphere.
Wall paint in ‘Mushroom Cap 177’: Benjamin Moore
Cool blue and warm yellow are a match made in colour heaven. You can use this eye-catching and extremely versatile combo in homes of all different styles, from contemporary dwellings to classic-meets-coastal abodes, such as the one shown here. Notice how soft, powder shades have been used to create a soothing and serene atmosphere.
Wall paint in ‘Mushroom Cap 177’: Benjamin Moore
The chic combo also makes an appearance in this eclectic home office, but this time in bolder, saturated tones. The pairing of navy and canary yellow infuses the room with an edgy, yet quirky, modern vibe.
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in Yellow: Vitra
Jean Prouvé Standard chair in Yellow: Vitra
14. Accessorise your kitchen with coloured appliances
Yellow-toned appliances, to be exact. Invest in large coloured appliances, such as an oven or fridge, if you wish to make a bold design move, or stick with small benchtop gadgets in sunny hues for a look that’s safer and requires less commitment.
Professional Series gas oven in Yellow (X90 6 MFE X): Bertazzoni
Yellow-toned appliances, to be exact. Invest in large coloured appliances, such as an oven or fridge, if you wish to make a bold design move, or stick with small benchtop gadgets in sunny hues for a look that’s safer and requires less commitment.
Professional Series gas oven in Yellow (X90 6 MFE X): Bertazzoni
15. Pair with other brights
Want your space to really make a statement? Team loud yellow with other stop-and-stare shades including hot pink, emerald, eye-popping purple or turquoise. Balance the look with white, black, grey, neutrals and natural elements, which will ensure the competing yet complementary tones remain in the spotlight and the overall scheme looks carefully styled and chic, rather than chaotic.
Want your space to really make a statement? Team loud yellow with other stop-and-stare shades including hot pink, emerald, eye-popping purple or turquoise. Balance the look with white, black, grey, neutrals and natural elements, which will ensure the competing yet complementary tones remain in the spotlight and the overall scheme looks carefully styled and chic, rather than chaotic.
16. Modernise a classic country scheme
Does your country-style home look a tad tired? Ditch the buttery creams and light lemony tones (which are often used in traditional country schemes) and freshen up your space with brighter, more lively shades of yellow. A slick of vibrant yellow paint works wonders in this farmhouse kitchen and brings it into the now. While the coloured cabinetry is the focal point of the room, the same paint colour is used on the range hood, as well as the door and ceiling trim, to tie the look together.
Cabinet paint in ‘Babouche': Farrow & Ball
Read more: Kitchen Inspiration: 20 of the Best Country Kitchens
Does your country-style home look a tad tired? Ditch the buttery creams and light lemony tones (which are often used in traditional country schemes) and freshen up your space with brighter, more lively shades of yellow. A slick of vibrant yellow paint works wonders in this farmhouse kitchen and brings it into the now. While the coloured cabinetry is the focal point of the room, the same paint colour is used on the range hood, as well as the door and ceiling trim, to tie the look together.
Cabinet paint in ‘Babouche': Farrow & Ball
Read more: Kitchen Inspiration: 20 of the Best Country Kitchens
17. Add a feature wall
A yellow accent wall is sure to stop visitors in their tracks. Paint a single wall in your favourite shade, or if you wish to add another layer of visual intrigue to the space, try patterned wallpaper or tile art, like this striking yellow-orange mosaic tile motif.
A yellow accent wall is sure to stop visitors in their tracks. Paint a single wall in your favourite shade, or if you wish to add another layer of visual intrigue to the space, try patterned wallpaper or tile art, like this striking yellow-orange mosaic tile motif.
18. Don’t say no to neon
People tend to overlook neon tones, such as highlighter-bright yellow, when choosing colours for their home, but we think you shouldn’t dismiss these high-impact hues too quickly. The secret to successfully incorporating them into your scheme is to use them sparingly and balance them with muted colours, which will result in a room that’s fresh, sophisticated, on trend and fun. We love this cool white, grey and zesty chartreuse setting – it’s hard to imagine the space without the touch of neon yellow-green, isn’t it?
Eero Saarinen Womb chair and ottoman: Knoll
People tend to overlook neon tones, such as highlighter-bright yellow, when choosing colours for their home, but we think you shouldn’t dismiss these high-impact hues too quickly. The secret to successfully incorporating them into your scheme is to use them sparingly and balance them with muted colours, which will result in a room that’s fresh, sophisticated, on trend and fun. We love this cool white, grey and zesty chartreuse setting – it’s hard to imagine the space without the touch of neon yellow-green, isn’t it?
Eero Saarinen Womb chair and ottoman: Knoll
19. Create a beachy theme
There’s a reason why yellow, in its many different shades, is a colour that’s often found in beach-style abodes. It is, after all, fresh, happy and welcoming – characteristics that every coastal retreat should have! To recreate this look at home, decorate your space with splashes of yellow, layered with hints of crisp white, vivid red, cool blues and turquoise. Complete the look with natural materials and textures (think rope, raw wood, wicker, jute, bamboo and linen), along with nautical or beach-inspired patterns to enhance the room’s relaxed, coastal feel.
Read more: So Your Style Is: Beach
There’s a reason why yellow, in its many different shades, is a colour that’s often found in beach-style abodes. It is, after all, fresh, happy and welcoming – characteristics that every coastal retreat should have! To recreate this look at home, decorate your space with splashes of yellow, layered with hints of crisp white, vivid red, cool blues and turquoise. Complete the look with natural materials and textures (think rope, raw wood, wicker, jute, bamboo and linen), along with nautical or beach-inspired patterns to enhance the room’s relaxed, coastal feel.
Read more: So Your Style Is: Beach
20. Tackle a DIY project
Have some spare time, a paintbrush and a tin of yellow paint laying around? Give old furniture that’s destined for the rubbish tip a face lift by covering them in a fresh, sunny hue. Vintage or traditional-style chairs, tables, drawers, hutches and cabinets look particularly fabulous when given a modern makeover with a coat of eye-popping yellow paint.
Read more: 25 Awe-Inspiring Projects Using Just 1 Can of Paint
Have some spare time, a paintbrush and a tin of yellow paint laying around? Give old furniture that’s destined for the rubbish tip a face lift by covering them in a fresh, sunny hue. Vintage or traditional-style chairs, tables, drawers, hutches and cabinets look particularly fabulous when given a modern makeover with a coat of eye-popping yellow paint.
Read more: 25 Awe-Inspiring Projects Using Just 1 Can of Paint
21. Play with yellow-tinged prints
Not a fan of block brights? Decorate your home with patterned decor that’s peppered with pops of yellow. If you’re a clashing prints novice, style your space with one statement print. For those who are mix-masters, try teaming contrasting motifs together, as was done here.
Wallpaper in 'New Contemporary Two Mimosa': Cole and Son
TELL US
What’s your favourite shade of yellow? And how have you incorporated it into your decorating scheme? Share your tips and photos in the comments section.
MORE
How to be Truly Confident With Colour
Colour Splash: How to Feature Your Favourite Hues
Colour Splash: Give Your Walls a Lift Using Houzz’s Most Popular Hues
Not a fan of block brights? Decorate your home with patterned decor that’s peppered with pops of yellow. If you’re a clashing prints novice, style your space with one statement print. For those who are mix-masters, try teaming contrasting motifs together, as was done here.
Wallpaper in 'New Contemporary Two Mimosa': Cole and Son
TELL US
What’s your favourite shade of yellow? And how have you incorporated it into your decorating scheme? Share your tips and photos in the comments section.
MORE
How to be Truly Confident With Colour
Colour Splash: How to Feature Your Favourite Hues
Colour Splash: Give Your Walls a Lift Using Houzz’s Most Popular Hues
Now, who could forget this charming cottage in a hurry? A painted picket fence in sunshine yellow, and a yellow and white striped awning (note how thick stripes are used on the awning so the pattern doesn’t look too busy), brighten up this home’s traditional facade and ensure it stands out from the other dwellings on the street.
To recreate this look at home, all you need is a paintbrush and a tin of yellow paint and you’re good to go! If this is a little too bright for your taste, just cover your front door in a coat or two of paint in your favourite shade instead.