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Color Guide: How to Work With Bright Yellow
Let the sunniest color on earth add a burst of energy to your rooms — and we're not just talking with pillows
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel... More »
There is a reason the classic happy-face design is bright yellow; it's the cheeriest color in the spectrum. It's the color of sunshine, buttercups, lemons and dandelions.
In decorating, bright yellow is often relegated to accessories. And no one is complaining about lemon yellow throw pillows or kitchen appliances; the color works great as a splashy accent. But it doesn't necessarily need to be used sparingly. In fact, you can put it anywhere — as long as you have a good plan. Yellow will draw the eye and become an automatic focal point.
Yellow's perfect color wheel date is violet, purple or indigo. It looks smashing with cool grays, navy blue and eggplant. Yellow also pairs well with other citrus tones (greens and oranges).
Bright yellow can slide between orange and green hues. Most yellows in decor tend to be on the warmer side, with peachy undertones. But there is lots of room for green-yellows too, especially in midcentury modern and contemporary modern design.
In decorating, bright yellow is often relegated to accessories. And no one is complaining about lemon yellow throw pillows or kitchen appliances; the color works great as a splashy accent. But it doesn't necessarily need to be used sparingly. In fact, you can put it anywhere — as long as you have a good plan. Yellow will draw the eye and become an automatic focal point.
Yellow's perfect color wheel date is violet, purple or indigo. It looks smashing with cool grays, navy blue and eggplant. Yellow also pairs well with other citrus tones (greens and oranges).
Bright yellow can slide between orange and green hues. Most yellows in decor tend to be on the warmer side, with peachy undertones. But there is lots of room for green-yellows too, especially in midcentury modern and contemporary modern design.
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The Greens
A bright yellow (with lots of green in it) wakes up this kitchen, making it seem modern and fresh. Imagine these walls in beige — see how boring that would be?
A bright yellow (with lots of green in it) wakes up this kitchen, making it seem modern and fresh. Imagine these walls in beige — see how boring that would be?
by Ida Lifestyle
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Yellow, especially green-yellow, and turquoise are a match made in heaven.
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| More turquoise and yellow. |
by Tara Bussema
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Cool, blue gray with a light, greenish-yellow splash. It adds a little warmth and a nice focal point. Delish.
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| A very modern greenish yellow on a very modern landscape design. A warm yellow would not have worked as well with these angles and lines. |
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Bright citrus hues modernize this Craftsman detail while still paying respect to its lovely lines.
by Tara Seawright
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Who says ceilings have to be white? This lemon yellow ceiling in an all-white kitchen is so fresh and modern and exuberant. Positive vibes only in a room like this.
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| This very green yellow almost walks the line between the two colors, but on a wall it reads as yellow. |
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by Benjamin Moore
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| Another green-yellow that would be great with other citrus colors. |
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The Warm Yellows
Warm yellow adds a richness to this eclectic living room and works well with the dollops of charcoal, orange and teal.
Warm yellow adds a richness to this eclectic living room and works well with the dollops of charcoal, orange and teal.
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Gray and bright yellow are the perfect couple. One is bright and outgoing, the other solid and serious. Together they are all good things rolled into one.
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These lemon yellow chairs are the perfect splash against this dark, neutral dining room. They add instant interest and look great against the very warm, nearly brown gray walls.
by SB Architects
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Deep, vivid yellow with warm, rich earth tones. I love this mixture of modern and rustic, and the yellow adds some playfulness to the whole shebang.
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Classic lines don't aways have to stick to neutrals and pastels. A very traditional room (check out the columns) in playful yellow and purple is a pleasant surprise.
A bright and very bold yellow looks stunning with a warm magenta and a darker eggplant.
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Warm, almost ocher vertical subway tiles. Cozy and modern all at once.
by Benjamin Moore
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A true bright yellow. Do not be afraid!
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| So warm, it's nearly peach. |
Ideabook published on June 18, 2012.
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Here's my take on Vermeer's composition: http://addisondicus.com/blogozine/vermeer-builds-design-rug