Colour school: How to use honeycomb in your home

Team this sunny tone with luxe gold to add warmth to a living-room scheme

By Tamara Kelly
last updated

This rich caramel shade looks great in both classic and contemporary settings. Varying in intensity from warm mustard to natural shades of maize and honey, team this inviting hue with mid-century furniture for a cool, retro feel. Add a touch of Seventies flair by layering a mix of small-scale graphic prints or bring the scheme up to date with modern gold accessories.

living room with white sofa set with cushions

(Image credit: TBC)

Start with honey-toned walls, add some wooden accent pieces, then lift the look with pops of pattern.

Hello sunshine

Add a glamorous vibe with Art-Deco details

Distressed sunburst round mirror, £199, Marks
& Spencer

sunburst round mirror

(Image credit: Marks & Spencer)

Golden touch

Go luxe with cool metallic accents

Riddle table lamp, £579, Bert Frank

bert frank riddle table lamp

(Image credit: Bert Frank)

Prints charming

Choose geometric pattern for a playful twist


Rhumba square cushion, £84, Margo Selby range,Amara

yellow and white printed cushion

(Image credit: Amara)

Bottle it

Pop on a windowsill to create a warm sunlit glow

Large bottle vase, £24, Next

large bottle vase

(Image credit: Next)

Take a seat

Re-create mid-century style with this modern take on Danish design

Bermondsey sofa in Knebworth Curry, from
£680, Sofas & Stuff

sofa with sofa stuff

(Image credit: Sofas & Stuff)

Retro replica

Choose from six colours

Trim phone, £35, Wild & Wolf range, Exit Interiors

wild wolf classic phones

(Image credit: Exit Interiors)

The Palette

Add warmth with these honeyed hues

TURMERIC Up the intensity with this high-impact shade

turmeric yellow wall paint

(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)

India Yellow Estate Emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball

GINGER Soften the scheme with a subtler take

ginger yellow wall paint

(Image credit: Mylands of London)

Golden Square marble matt emulsion, £38 for 2.5ltr, Mylands of London

SAFFRON This warm tone has a traditional feel

saffron yellow wall paint

(Image credit: Crown Paints)

Prairie Gold solo matt emulsion, £25.99 for 2.5ltr, Crown Paints

More ways with honeycomb

Try it with... Black

Up the luxe factor by teaming golden tones with dramatic black. Soften the look with steely grey accents.

bedroom with double bed and bedside table

(Image credit: Christy)

Mustard bed linen, from £100 for a single duvet cover, Venice range, Christy

single duvet cover

(Image credit: John Lewis)

Tactile touch

Accessorise with deeply hued fabrics

Ribbed plain furnishing fabric, £25 per m, John Lewis

hued fabrics single duvet cover

(Image credit: Laura Ashley)

Golden hour

Use damask for an opulent look

Alexander gold wallpaper, £44 per roll, Laura Ashley

black wall paint

(Image credit: Dulux)

In the dark

Use on a feature wall


Jewels Night 1 matt emulsion, £24.49 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

Try it with...Pale pink

Put a modern spin on earthy mustard by teaming it with a blue-toned pink. Use a chalky finish for a contemporary feel, then add depth with statement wood-effect flooring.

brown staircase with chair

(Image credit: Dulux)

Walls painted in Soft Cinnebar 5 flat matt emulsion (top); Cherished Gold flat matt emulsion; both £24.49 for 2.5ltr, Dulux

wood flooring design

(Image credit: Quick-Step)

Floor it

Opt for a budget-friendly alternative to real wood

Versailles UF1155 flooring, £31.99 per sq m, Arte collection, Quick-Step

 

lace pink and gold wallpaper

(Image credit: Wallpaperdirect)

Pretty print

Add easy elegance

Lace pink and gold wallpaper, £46.50 per roll, Wallpaperdirect

light pink wall paint

(Image credit: Crown Paints)

In the pink

Calm fiery yellow with a cooler hue

Ballet Shoes flat matt emulsion, £24.99 for 2.5ltr, Crown Paints

Tamara Kelly
Contributor

Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street. 

Latest