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Yellow in the Kitchen: Make It Sing
Bring a ray of sunshine and happiness into your kitchen with a cheery yellow hue
Sophie Seeger
25 November 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior Design Institute, abstract artist and designer of rugs and textiles for soft-furnishings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior... More
Yellow is deeply embedded in the Australian psyche – it is the colour of spring and summer; of wheat, bananas, ripe pineapples and corn. Yellow is the colour of our beaches and desert sands. In its various shades, from sunny daffodils, zesty lemons, golden wattle, to the artwork of Fred Williams, yellow is the promise of warmth, happiness and wellbeing. From a psychological perspective, yellow is the colour of the mind, helping you think clearly – perfect, of course, if you’re juggling large kitchen knives. Yellow is also the scientist of the colour spectrum, so essential for those Heston Blumenthal-inspired dishes.
Joinery jubilation
If you prefer a more subtle yellow, opt for a buttery flavour, which is a lovely choice for a country-style or more traditional kitchen.
Tie in the trims for visual room flow and opt for white walls.
Yellow, in its various tints (different amounts of white added) and shades (different amounts of black added), works well with light and dark timbers and accents of black.
YELLOW CHOICE: For a light mid-tone yellow, try Dulux’s ‘Dandelion’. It will make you feel happy without being overwhelmed.
If you prefer a more subtle yellow, opt for a buttery flavour, which is a lovely choice for a country-style or more traditional kitchen.
Tie in the trims for visual room flow and opt for white walls.
Yellow, in its various tints (different amounts of white added) and shades (different amounts of black added), works well with light and dark timbers and accents of black.
YELLOW CHOICE: For a light mid-tone yellow, try Dulux’s ‘Dandelion’. It will make you feel happy without being overwhelmed.
Yellow range
There is an enormous range of yellows from which to choose. They move from bright to buttery, through to spices and wild grasses.
These are some of my favourites.
There is an enormous range of yellows from which to choose. They move from bright to buttery, through to spices and wild grasses.
These are some of my favourites.
Tropical island
For an element of surprise, an island benchtop is a great way to introduce yellow. Teamed with an all-white kitchen, this look is super fresh.
TIP: If you are nervous about how much yellow to use in your kitchen, use the 60-30-10 rule as your colour ratio. Here the 10 per cent is the yellow; creating interest without upsetting the colour balance.
COLOUR PICK: I recommend Taubman’s ‘Freedom Fighter’ for a bright yellow that’s not too saturated.
For an element of surprise, an island benchtop is a great way to introduce yellow. Teamed with an all-white kitchen, this look is super fresh.
TIP: If you are nervous about how much yellow to use in your kitchen, use the 60-30-10 rule as your colour ratio. Here the 10 per cent is the yellow; creating interest without upsetting the colour balance.
COLOUR PICK: I recommend Taubman’s ‘Freedom Fighter’ for a bright yellow that’s not too saturated.
Wonderful wallpaper
A touch of sunshine in an all-white kitchen brings warmth to a space. Instead of solid yellow, opt for a yellow accented print in your wallpaper. It’s fun, bright and will suit a classical or contemporary look.
According to Chinese feng shui colour theory, yellow in its various shades helps fight depression; and golden shades in particular symbolise positive change and harmony.
TIP: This lovely yellow wallpaper would make a great kitchen feature wall.
A touch of sunshine in an all-white kitchen brings warmth to a space. Instead of solid yellow, opt for a yellow accented print in your wallpaper. It’s fun, bright and will suit a classical or contemporary look.
According to Chinese feng shui colour theory, yellow in its various shades helps fight depression; and golden shades in particular symbolise positive change and harmony.
TIP: This lovely yellow wallpaper would make a great kitchen feature wall.
Yellow punch
Teamed with very dark timber tones, a saturated yellow is contemporary-plus and packs a punch.
Yellow is one of the most reflective hues in the spectrum, so be sure to examine the lighting in the room. I recommend using downlights for a warm glow. Fluorescent lighting can make some yellows appear garish.
COLOUR PICK: Get this look with Murobond’s ‘Yellow Monday’.
Teamed with very dark timber tones, a saturated yellow is contemporary-plus and packs a punch.
Yellow is one of the most reflective hues in the spectrum, so be sure to examine the lighting in the room. I recommend using downlights for a warm glow. Fluorescent lighting can make some yellows appear garish.
COLOUR PICK: Get this look with Murobond’s ‘Yellow Monday’.
Bittersweet yellow
If you aren’t in the market for a jump-out-at-you yellow, Porter’s ‘Bittersweet’ is a subtle choice that blends beautifully with whites, creams and dark or chocolate timbers.
If you aren’t in the market for a jump-out-at-you yellow, Porter’s ‘Bittersweet’ is a subtle choice that blends beautifully with whites, creams and dark or chocolate timbers.
Upholster it
If you would like to try yellow in an easy-to-change way, introduce it through your kitchen soft-furnishings: the cushions on your chairs or stools, your built-in banquette or loose chair covers.
These are all easily replaced if and when the yellow urge wears off.
If you would like to try yellow in an easy-to-change way, introduce it through your kitchen soft-furnishings: the cushions on your chairs or stools, your built-in banquette or loose chair covers.
These are all easily replaced if and when the yellow urge wears off.
Statement oven
Make your oven the statement piece in an otherwise neutral scheme and link it to smaller yellow details for a cohesive look.
Grey and yellow, although such different hues, work well together. A soft or dove grey as the main colour in your scheme, will ground the bright yellow, creating a more nuanced look.
Make your oven the statement piece in an otherwise neutral scheme and link it to smaller yellow details for a cohesive look.
Grey and yellow, although such different hues, work well together. A soft or dove grey as the main colour in your scheme, will ground the bright yellow, creating a more nuanced look.
Appliance admiration
If you only want a dash of yellow, purchase yellow appliances.
Yellow is the lightest colour on the spectrum; and being a warm colour, it will draw in the eye.
TIP: Ensure your appliances are worth showing off before giving them the yellow submarine treatment as they will become instantly noticeable.
If you only want a dash of yellow, purchase yellow appliances.
Yellow is the lightest colour on the spectrum; and being a warm colour, it will draw in the eye.
TIP: Ensure your appliances are worth showing off before giving them the yellow submarine treatment as they will become instantly noticeable.
Summer splashback
A hint of yellow in a glass spashback works like a mirror, and is perfect for bringing energy and light into a room. This is an instant pick-me-up!
TIP: Yellow’s perfect colour mates are white, greys, purples, and other citrus tones.
A hint of yellow in a glass spashback works like a mirror, and is perfect for bringing energy and light into a room. This is an instant pick-me-up!
TIP: Yellow’s perfect colour mates are white, greys, purples, and other citrus tones.
Indian yellow
Porter’s ‘Indian Yellow’ is gorgeous in all lights and times of the day. Pair this with a bright yellow like the Impressionist painters did in their still-life artworks.
Paint your joinery this colour and lay a sisal rug on the floor for a relaxed but elegant ambience.
Porter’s ‘Indian Yellow’ is gorgeous in all lights and times of the day. Pair this with a bright yellow like the Impressionist painters did in their still-life artworks.
Paint your joinery this colour and lay a sisal rug on the floor for a relaxed but elegant ambience.
Yellow print
For yellow fabric prints designed by local Australian designers, you’ll love these hand-printed designs on hemp. They’re eco-friendly, will keep bacteria and allergies at bay and are perfect for a happy children’s environment – think homework around the kitchen table or bench and stimulating family conversations.
Featured print is by designer Karen Brock.
SHARE WITH US
Have you used yellow in your kitchen? What did you use and what effect did it have on you?
MORE
Bright Spark: 21 Ways to Welcome Yellow Into Your Home
How to be Truly Confident With Colour
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
For yellow fabric prints designed by local Australian designers, you’ll love these hand-printed designs on hemp. They’re eco-friendly, will keep bacteria and allergies at bay and are perfect for a happy children’s environment – think homework around the kitchen table or bench and stimulating family conversations.
Featured print is by designer Karen Brock.
SHARE WITH US
Have you used yellow in your kitchen? What did you use and what effect did it have on you?
MORE
Bright Spark: 21 Ways to Welcome Yellow Into Your Home
How to be Truly Confident With Colour
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
20 Gorgeous Kitchen Colour Pairings
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