Splashes of Yellow Bring on the Summer Sun
Be inspired by 11 ways that a dab of this sunshiny colour can bring warmth and cheer to a room
Colour trends come and go, but this year yellow has been the not-so-dark horse in the race. What better way to extend summer’s sunshine than with a splash of yellow inside? While it’s true that yellow can overwhelm, a home that dabbles rather than drenches in it will find it’s a colour capable of instilling warmth and harmony into any space. Try some cheerful yellow on anything from kitchen shelves to the front door, a bathroom mirror to a revamped chair – and let the sunshine in.
2. Give your kitchen some zest
White kitchens are all the rage, but a dash of colour can add a twist of individuality to make them stand out. Prints and pictures are a perfect way to introduce an eye-catching feature, as with this zesty yellow lemon print. Throw in another yellow accessory, like the little jar here, to consolidate the lemony scheme.
White kitchens are all the rage, but a dash of colour can add a twist of individuality to make them stand out. Prints and pictures are a perfect way to introduce an eye-catching feature, as with this zesty yellow lemon print. Throw in another yellow accessory, like the little jar here, to consolidate the lemony scheme.
3. Centre it
Yellow can look good anywhere, but a sunny centrepiece as the standalone feature is especially memorable. To achieve something like the wall in this room, choose your perfect golden hue and mask out the shape you want to paint. Now for the clever part: go over the yellow-painted area with a transparent magnetic whiteboard paint to create a sunny feature wall that’s interactive too.
Yellow can look good anywhere, but a sunny centrepiece as the standalone feature is especially memorable. To achieve something like the wall in this room, choose your perfect golden hue and mask out the shape you want to paint. Now for the clever part: go over the yellow-painted area with a transparent magnetic whiteboard paint to create a sunny feature wall that’s interactive too.
4. Bring out the best in blue
It’s no secret that blue and yellow work well together, but rather than going all-in, think about the combination in terms of accents. This blue sofa was just another ordinary number until the textured yellow throw entered the picture. Like a sailboat on the sea, a splash of yellow can be all you need to create impact.
It’s no secret that blue and yellow work well together, but rather than going all-in, think about the combination in terms of accents. This blue sofa was just another ordinary number until the textured yellow throw entered the picture. Like a sailboat on the sea, a splash of yellow can be all you need to create impact.
5. Go it alone
Why be one to follow the crowd? Yellow works perfectly well with nothing around it. Try a small chair or stool, or create a reading nook with yellow cushions for a no-nonsense effect.
Why be one to follow the crowd? Yellow works perfectly well with nothing around it. Try a small chair or stool, or create a reading nook with yellow cushions for a no-nonsense effect.
6. Make a fresh start
Doors are often overlooked, considered merely a means to an end, but this home’s inviting entrance is a perfect argument for putting that notion to rest. A yellow door opens up your home from the inside as well as the outside, meaning you’ll be stepping in and out with a smile on your face.
What colour front door should you have?
Doors are often overlooked, considered merely a means to an end, but this home’s inviting entrance is a perfect argument for putting that notion to rest. A yellow door opens up your home from the inside as well as the outside, meaning you’ll be stepping in and out with a smile on your face.
What colour front door should you have?
7. Spread it out
Yellow works well in multiples too, so go wild and spread it around a room. In this space, a grey background is the perfect canvas for experimentation, and the yellow accents – candles, cushions, flowers and rug details – all help lift the tapestry of grey from the shadows. With dark walls so popular right now, a sprinkling of yellow could be just the ticket for bringing a moody hue to life.
Yellow works well in multiples too, so go wild and spread it around a room. In this space, a grey background is the perfect canvas for experimentation, and the yellow accents – candles, cushions, flowers and rug details – all help lift the tapestry of grey from the shadows. With dark walls so popular right now, a sprinkling of yellow could be just the ticket for bringing a moody hue to life.
8. Cluster it together
A grouping of yellow can also have the Midas touch. Keep the effects small (even a bottle of hand soap as seen here can carry design clout) and pair them with a gleaming white background for maximum impact.
A grouping of yellow can also have the Midas touch. Keep the effects small (even a bottle of hand soap as seen here can carry design clout) and pair them with a gleaming white background for maximum impact.
9. Create borders
Bathrooms are often high on neutrals and low on vibrant colours, but as evident in this home, a dab of zingy colour can go a long way. The slim yellow borders make the mirrored cabinets pop, turning what could have been plain background accessories into striking features.
Bathrooms are often high on neutrals and low on vibrant colours, but as evident in this home, a dab of zingy colour can go a long way. The slim yellow borders make the mirrored cabinets pop, turning what could have been plain background accessories into striking features.
10. Use what you’ve got
Brighten up the simplest of spaces – and in the quickest of ways – by accessorising with something you might already have lying around. In this case, an all-white display of dishware gets a lift with the addition of one simple yellow plate. You could also use a cup or jug, prop up a yellow postcard or add a bowl of lemons for the same effect.
Brighten up the simplest of spaces – and in the quickest of ways – by accessorising with something you might already have lying around. In this case, an all-white display of dishware gets a lift with the addition of one simple yellow plate. You could also use a cup or jug, prop up a yellow postcard or add a bowl of lemons for the same effect.
11. Plan to party
A vibrant colour shouldn’t be hidden away – yellow is your perfect party guest! For occasions when you need to liven things up, opt for small accessories that will have the whole house beaming. A string of yellow pompoms around a door or window frame could add a festive touch to enjoy all year ’round.
TELL US
Have you used yellow in your home? Let us know all about it, and include photos in the Comments section.
MORE
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A vibrant colour shouldn’t be hidden away – yellow is your perfect party guest! For occasions when you need to liven things up, opt for small accessories that will have the whole house beaming. A string of yellow pompoms around a door or window frame could add a festive touch to enjoy all year ’round.
TELL US
Have you used yellow in your home? Let us know all about it, and include photos in the Comments section.
MORE
Say Hello to Minion Yellow, Pantone’s Newest (and Happiest) Colour
Do Babies Cry More in Yellow Rooms?
Pro Panel: “The Colour to Watch Out for in 2016 Is…”
The eye is naturally drawn to the boldest or most colourful feature in a room, so make the most of this unconscious process. At the forefront of a space, a small yellow feature such as a side table can work wonders with a backdrop of white or grey, giving the impression that your room is colour-happy rather than colour-lacking.
As you can see, this zingy hue is also at home with blush pink, one of this year’s other favourite colours.