Decorating with yellow: 13 ways to use this sunshine shade at home
Yellow brings warmth and sunshine to every surface it touches, from kitchen cupboard fronts to living room feature walls. It's hardly surprising then that it's one of 2025's biggest emerging shades – and is also Dulux's colour of the year.
"Yellow interiors have been lighting up our homes more than ever," says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Dulux. "They bring an irresistible sense of light and optimism to any space. Yellow opens up endless possibilities to create a home that feels fresh, welcoming, and full of life."
Whether you're new to decorating with yellow or are already using the joyful colour, there are ample ideas for using this cheerful shade at home. But before we get into it, experts share some starting thoughts...
Why is yellow a good colour for the home?
Yellow is the ultimate mood-booster. Tash Bradley, Lick's Director of Interior Design and Colour Psychologist, tells us: "Yellow paint colours ooze all the qualities you want in a home. From a colour psychology perspective, they are warm, optimistic and sunny, they are emotionally uplifting."
Is yellow a tricky colour to use in the home?
Yellow can often be considered a tricky colour to work with: in some cases, yellow requires multiple coats to achieve a solid colour on a wall. To paint effectively with yellow, the experts recommend using an undercoat first and then building up gradually with multiple coats.
What colours does yellow go with?
Yellow goes well with many colours, including blue, green and pink, as well as calming neutrals like white and beige. It also pairs perfectly with brighter shades.
"A statement yellow might seem bold, but it's surprisingly versatile, working effortlessly with a whole spectrum of colours, from soft neutrals to richer reds, purples, greens, and blues," adds Marianne.
Take a look at our ideas for decorating with yellow below, with inspiration for every room...
Use softer, buttery yellows
Buttery yellows bring sunshine into any scheme. Comforting and characterful, they give the illusion your space is bathed in natural sunlight.
"Softer yellows work just as beautifully, creating an inviting, sunlit atmosphere that's both calming and uplifting," says Marianne.
• Paint in 'Bombolone' by Little Greene
Opt for calming sandy yellows
Sandy yellows offer a calming feel while still capturing the joy of the colour.
"Hues like Summerdale Gold are resurfacing as popular colours, offering a sandy tone that is both confident and calming," says Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing (International), Benjamin Moore.
"This soft alternative to yellow pairs beautifully with tactile materials, from wicker to appliqué, while acting as a relaxed foil to abstract pattern, painterly finishes and other rich hues."
• Paint 'Summerdale Gold' by Benjamin Moore
Go bold with colour drenching
Create a cocooning feel by colour drenching your room.
"If you want to create a contemporary look to the room, colour-drench the walls, woodwork and your ceiling in yellow," says Tash.
This bold approach to decorating can make a room feel bigger and brighter, by blurring the lines where the walls and ceiling meet.
Frame a fireplace
Try painting one small area to create a centrepiece that the rest of your scheme can work around.
"Frame a fireplace in yellow to turn it into a focal point, ready for cosy evenings. Opt for a zingy mimosa yellow will turn a sparse cool scheme into an inviting one," says Helen.
"Team this feature panel with a matching sofa for a coordinated feel, then layer the look with plush, tactile rugs and pouffes for a super-snug retreat."
• Paint in 'Sunny Afternoon' by Benjamin Moore
Create a feature bookcase
Painting the wall behind a bookcase is an excellent way to create a focal point.
Take inspiration from this charming yellow living room nook, which was home to Quentin Bell, son of Bloomsbury Group artist Vanessa Bell, and his wife, Anne Olivier Bell.
Pair with rustic elements
"From earthy mustard to bright sunflower, yellow is a great colour choice for country homes, especially in kitchens," says Alaina Binks, Style & Interiors Editor at Country Living.
"Be it in a traditional farmhouse, quaint cottage, or more modern setting, yellow can be both uplifting and comforting when tempered and grounded by rustic, textured elements.
"Think a yellow gingham linen cloth over a weathered wooden table or walls painted yellow (or woodwork and cabinetry) against raw wooden beams, exposed stone or brick and hard wooden floors."
Sunny side-up bathrooms
Take inspiration from this citrus-yellow bathroom, embellished with Quentin Bell's hand-painted tiles.
"Yellow can be a deceptively easygoing colour. Saturating a room in a delicate, butter yellow makes it look as if it is permanently bathed in sunlight — it's a nice trick if you are low on south-facing windows," says Rachel Edwards, Country Living's Homes & Interiors Editor.
"For those comfortable with something brighter, a cheery sunflower yellow works wonderfully in small spaces (this attic bathroom is a great example) especially if you are willing to take it up onto ceilings."
Pair with wooden accessories
Tash from Lick suggests pairing yellows with "dark woods like mahogany and walnut for a grown-up feel."
This image, taken from the Country Living archives, is a fine example of how to make it work.
Combine with green
Yellow and green are a great colour combo, creating a lively and refreshing atmosphere. In this bright dining room, varying shades of yellow are cleverly used to break up the space. Green has been used on the alcove border and in accessories like curtains and light.
"Use yellow in spaces where people gather, like kitchens, living rooms, or dining areas, where its energetic qualities can really stand out," says Victoria.
Use it in light-starved rooms
Yellow is particularly effective for light-starved rooms like bathrooms, because it adds warmth and light when windows are absent.
Add yellow through accessories
Paint is not the only ticket to a yellow home: accessories and furnishings in this sunshine shade can also have a big impact.
"Paint walls in a tranquil hue that sets a restful mood then add a pop of yellow to architectural elements such as a picture rail to lift the look to the next level," says Helen.
"This, paired with matching bedding or accessories brings a professionally 'designed' vibe to the scheme and provides a visual anchor for the rest of the space."
• Shop the full look at Furniture Village
Yellow wallpaper
This uplifting living room from the Country Living archives is a lovely example of how to pair yellow wallpaper with a sofa in the same hue.
All-over yellow to brighten
"Whether you go for a bold all-over yellow, or add touches through soft furnishings or accessories, it's a colour that can brighten up a home instantly, while still feeling warm and sophisticated," says Victoria Benini, Interior Expert and Buyer at Harbour Lifestyle.
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