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How to decorate with yellow – 10 of the best ideas

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    • 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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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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