Decorating
Colour Wisdom From Nature: Yummy Yellow
Cheer up your home with the colour of sunshine, sunflowers and ripe lemons
From the pure joy of summer sunlight to the rich saffron hue of a Buddhist monk’s robes, yellow is a colour that cheers the heart. And it’s endless in variety, from the deliciously subtle (butter, honey, straw) to the unapologetically bold (lemon, papaya, mustard). Let’s discover yellow through the lens of nature.
Bright, clear yellow
The colour of autumn leaves and the intense glow of the sun, bright yellow is a colour that makes you sit up and take notice.
The colour of autumn leaves and the intense glow of the sun, bright yellow is a colour that makes you sit up and take notice.
Using bright yellow
Bright, clear yellow is like sunlight – strong and uplifting. Kitchens and other spaces you use first thing in the morning are a natural place to try bright yellow, as it will have a cheering effect. In the kitchen shown here, yellow cabinets pop even more thanks to matching yellow trim.
Bright, clear yellow is like sunlight – strong and uplifting. Kitchens and other spaces you use first thing in the morning are a natural place to try bright yellow, as it will have a cheering effect. In the kitchen shown here, yellow cabinets pop even more thanks to matching yellow trim.
Use a little; use a lot
Yellow is bold, vibrant and intense. To get an idea of how much yellow you would be comfortable living with, consider which you would prefer – an English rose garden with lush green paths dotted with big yellow flowers, or a trail lined with blazing yellow aspen trees? For some, being surrounded by bright yellow feels invigorating; for others, it may just be too much. Test the waters by adding a punch of bright yellow in a cushion, or even a vase of flowers, before committing to a wall colour.
Yellow is bold, vibrant and intense. To get an idea of how much yellow you would be comfortable living with, consider which you would prefer – an English rose garden with lush green paths dotted with big yellow flowers, or a trail lined with blazing yellow aspen trees? For some, being surrounded by bright yellow feels invigorating; for others, it may just be too much. Test the waters by adding a punch of bright yellow in a cushion, or even a vase of flowers, before committing to a wall colour.
Yellow and pink
Peer into any pink flower, and you are likely to see a yellow centre. Or watch the sunrise on the beach and notice how the pink clouds blend seamlessly with the golden early-morning sunlight – yellow and pink are natural companions in nature.
Peer into any pink flower, and you are likely to see a yellow centre. Or watch the sunrise on the beach and notice how the pink clouds blend seamlessly with the golden early-morning sunlight – yellow and pink are natural companions in nature.
Using yellow and pink
In the home, yellow and pink make a bold pair. To keep this combo from overwhelming your room, try starting with crisp white walls and layering on the colour in textiles, artwork and painted furniture.
In the home, yellow and pink make a bold pair. To keep this combo from overwhelming your room, try starting with crisp white walls and layering on the colour in textiles, artwork and painted furniture.
Autumn yellow
The rich, blazing hue of foliage in autumn, this warm yellow is typically seen in nature alongside rich blue or pale grey skies and the reds, oranges and greens of other trees.
The rich, blazing hue of foliage in autumn, this warm yellow is typically seen in nature alongside rich blue or pale grey skies and the reds, oranges and greens of other trees.
Yellow and blue
This is one of the most classic decorating colour combinations of all time; you really can’t go wrong with yellow and blue. When done in bright versions of the colours, as shown here, the combo calls to mind the sun against a cloudless blue sky. For a more sophisticated take, choose a dark, clear blue and pair it with lemon yellow and plenty of white.
This is one of the most classic decorating colour combinations of all time; you really can’t go wrong with yellow and blue. When done in bright versions of the colours, as shown here, the combo calls to mind the sun against a cloudless blue sky. For a more sophisticated take, choose a dark, clear blue and pair it with lemon yellow and plenty of white.
For a softer touch, try pairing buttermilk yellow with cream, white and fresh aqua accents. This extremely livable look is ideal for soothing bedrooms and relaxing breakfast nooks.
Yellow outdoors
Rich, warm yellow works well on an outdoor accent wall, surrounded by tropical plantings. Clear, sunny yellow is also a classic choice for the front door or siding. And, of course, you can’t beat yellow tulips and daffodils for a cheerful spring garden.
YOUR SAY
Do you love the colour yellow? How have you used it at home? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments.
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Rich, warm yellow works well on an outdoor accent wall, surrounded by tropical plantings. Clear, sunny yellow is also a classic choice for the front door or siding. And, of course, you can’t beat yellow tulips and daffodils for a cheerful spring garden.
YOUR SAY
Do you love the colour yellow? How have you used it at home? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments.
MORE
Colour Lessons From Nature: Glorious Green
Nature’s Colour Wisdom: The Allure of Earthy Tones
Get Back to Nature With Decorating Ideas Inspired by the Great Outdoors
How to Be Truly Confident With Colour
From the creamy yellow of English roses, freshly churned butter, straw and honey to bright lemons and sunshine, to the rich hue of mustard flowers, mango, curry, saffron and gold, yellow can be subtle, bold or anything in between. Connoting cheerfulness, optimism and intelligence, yellow is the colour to use when you want a dash of positivity in your life.