How to decorate with yellow – 10 of the best ideas

What could be more inviting than a bright pop of yellow in your home? The colour of eternal summer, we can’t think of any shade we would rather come home to on a bleak winter’s day – or better, a warm spring evening.

Light up your house with pretty accents of buttercup yellow, or make a statement in one room with block colour in lemon or dandelion shades. Yellow is such a versatile colour: From deep mustard to bright gold, you will be able to find a version that fits in with your current decor.

Plus, there are so many ways to make this scheme work for you: Follow the trend for colour blocking and mix your yellow with cobalt blue or dark grey. Yellow accessories will be the perfect accompaniment to bold colour on the walls, adding a vibrant touch to a darker colour scheme.

Or, team yellow with white for a sunny room that is full of light. Soft, zesty shades on cushions, curtains and lampshades – and even on woodwork – will be a perfect partner to a neutral backdrop and bright white sofa or chairs.

Gentle additions of yellow, in patterned wallpaper, look just as good as a block colour. Choose pretty floral-printed paper to team with soft neutrals for a subtle take on the trend. Alternatively, make that bold statement with a yellow sofa or even a freshly painted yellow fireplace against dove grey walls.

White sofa and green chairs in front of yellow patterned wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: David Brittain
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Yellow decorating ideas for your home

Make sure your new yellow tones work for your tastes: Brightly coloured furniture in this sunny hue will give your home a definite 60s vibe, where as muted mustard on the walls, teamed with leather chairs and dark pine bookcases will create a much more colonial look.

Living room with yellow wallpaper
Looking for the perfect yellow-themed wallpaper? This pretty floral print is both bright and sophisticated. Combine with a neutral sofa and a few simple accessories.

Wallpaper
Harlequin

Grey room with yellow fireplace and white sofas Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Dominic Blackmore
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Grey living room with yellow fireplace

Introduce shades of yellow to a calming grey scheme. Here, a traditional fire surround has been painted in an eye-popping hue.

Paint
Farrow & Ball

Room with yellow walls and leather chair and stool Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Robert Sanderson
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Garden room with yellow painted walls

Go for a colonial look with yellow walls, mahogany furniture and leather seating. Stone flooring, plants and a few eclectic accessories add interest.

Similar paint
Dulux

White armchair with yellow floral cushions in a neutral room Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Jon Day
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Living room with yellow furnishings

Choose a soft shade of yellow for walls and woodwork. Layer up with zesty ceramics and cheerful cushions.

Lampshade
Heal's

Yellow sofa and blue cushions in front of patterned wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Dominic Blackmore
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Teal living room with yellow sofa

Combine shades of teal with a bright, acidic yellow to add sharp contrast and definition to your living room space.

Sofa
Sofa Workshop

Blue walls and sofa with yellow cushion Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Alexander James
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Blue living room with yellow accents

Blue and yellow is a gorgeous colour combination. Choose a deep cobalt hue and mix with a sunny, bright shade of yellow.

Cushion
The Rug Company

Grey cabinet with shelves in front of yellow patterned wallpaper Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: James Gardiner
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Yellow floral wallpaper and fabric

Yellow works well in a country scheme. Why not layer up different patterns and prints? Here a large floral design brightens up the walls, while a smaller, more detailed print is perfect for the inside of the cabinet.

Fabric (inside cabinet)
Camengo

Grey living room with yellow sofa and brown chair Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Adrian Briscoe
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Grey and yellow living room

For the ultimate in luxurious sophistication choose tones of yellow and grey. Here, a large-scale damask wallpaper works well with a yellow velvet sofa.

Sofa
Sofa.com

White living room with grey chimney breast and leather sofas Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Sussie Bell
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Dark grey living room with splashes of yellow

Add drama to your scheme by mixing dark grey and bold yellow. Try painting a feature wall in a slate-coloured hue and add a vibrant touch with curtains and cushions.

Yellow stripe curtains
Next

Pine table with yellow chair and shelves Click or tap to zoom into this image
Image credit: Chris Everard
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Warm yellow dining room

Bring the sunshine inside with brightly coloured furniture. A statement piece, such as this eye-popping bookshelf, is all you need to create a sunny vibe.

Bookcase
Ikea

Love this? For more ideas check out our dedicated living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom galleries

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