The Yellow Story: Ideas & Inspiration for Decorating with Yellow
Inspiration and ideas for accenting your home with the color known to boost happiness
Image from top left: Sense of Spencer; Lisa Corti; Old Brand New; Floret; The New Craftsman
For me there’s no color more closely associated with spring than yellow – especially that rich, vibrant yellow of daffodils. You know once their little heads start cracking through the earth that warmer temperatures and sunny days are not far behind. Daffodils introduce a shot of color and warmth into our homes as they start to awaken from their winter hibernation.
But that cheerful color is not confined only to flowers. Why not decorate with yellow too! Blooms will eventually wither and die, but home accents — well-crafted, beautifully designed ones anyway — are made to last and are low commitment. They don’t need to be out all the time to have an impact. Like daffodils themselves, these boldly colored decorative objects can be a perennial design choice, coming out each year to help transition the home to spring (or anytime the house needs a boost really).
In the past I had thought yellow was a touch too much and didn’t see how it could fit with my style. Recently I’ve started to notice people I admire decorating their homes with yellow to dazzling effect. If they can incorporate it so easily, then I can too. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve also loosened up a bit – I’m more focused on what feels good rather than strictly what’s practical. Adding a touch of yellow to my home fits nicely with that design philosophy.
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Feelings Associated with Yellow
One of the most appealing reasons to decorate with yellow is its mood boosting quality. In color psychology, the color meaning for yellow revolves around sunshine. What feels better than a kiss of sunshine? Yellow evokes feelings of happiness, optimism, and hope. That’s something I know I could use more of in my life. So it’s no wonder yellow feels so right in the spring when new life is blossoming and anything seems possible again.
How To Incorporate Yellow Accents
In the examples below, these stylish designers and tastemakers offer a master class on decorating with yellow. They show how yellow can work with a variety of styles and colors. Yellow is really more versatile than you think – pairing nicely with pink, green, blue, neutrals, and moodier browns. Take a page from their book and introduce yellow to a spring table, frame something in yellow, or switch out room accents with a pop of yellow. I know I will.
Image: Luke Edward Hall
Luke Edward Hall puts yellow daffodils in a matching color pitcher. Placing that in front of a Robert Mapplethorp poster framed in yellow is a chef’s kiss. The yellow capped perfume bottle on the tray next to it doesn’t hurt either. It’s all in the playful details.
Image via Directorio Deco
Pink and yellow is a classic color combination, and Jessica Buckley Interiors uses it to great effect with this bedroom design. The sculptural yellow lamp pops brilliantly against the pink spotted wallpaper and red tonal night stand accents.
Switching out accents can be a very easy, and temporary, way to get the benefit of yellow without a huge commitment. Carlos Sánchez-García uses a bold yellow tablecloth in his soft blue dining room with dark wood furniture, radically transforming the space.
In this bedroom designed by Julien Devergnies, the yellow bedspread helps to break up the floral headboard and drapes. Plus, it brings so much warmth to the space which could otherwise look a little heavy.
In the home of Sarah Corbett Winder, a green wooden bench is accented with a yellow cushion with green and yellow and white striped throw pillows, bringing warmth to the dining area.
There’s a striking contrast between the sunny yellow and white striped sheets on this twin bed and the antique accents in this bedroom by Iñigo Aragón and Pablo López Navarro of Casa Josephine. The matching yellow base boards are a nice touch.
Image: Kirthanaa Naidu
Bright yellow glasses bring joy and unique visual interest to Kirthanaa Naidu’s neutral-toned table setting. The soft tones of the poppies and candle don’t compete with the yellow but instead enhance it.
Image: Sans Murs
Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil embrace color in their bedroom by combining bold yellow and blue – with yellow sheets on a custom blue-velvet covered bed. The complimentary colors play off of each other to look even more vibrant.
Image: Bolig Magasinet
Visual artist Sarah Hvass shows how to warm up a neutral palette in her Denmark home. Yellow industrial looking pendant lights add a whimsical touch to this all-white dining area.
Designer Emma Ainscough accessorizes her coffee table with colorful accents including yellow taper candles, pink daisies, and a green and yellow pottery bowl.
Shop The Story
From top right: Été Duvet Cover, HAY Design. Eclectic, One-of-a-Kind Hand-Knotted Area Rug, ABC Carpet. Yellow Marigold Throw Pillow, The Well-Appointed House. Speckled Vase, Yellow, Cabana. Asparagus Beeswax Tapers, Etsy. Salentina Placemat, Yellow, Cabana. Murano Primrose Hand-Painted Bedside Set, Cabana. Flare Glass Candleholder, HAY Design. Yellow Floral Design-Hand Painted Pair 10" Taper Candles, Etsy. Small Etienne Tray, Yellow, The Lacquer Company x Luke Edward Hall. Yellow Oak Frame Thin, Etsy. Righe Plate Yellow, Cabana. Swirl Glass, Yellow, Cabana.