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Your Colors: Stick Around, Sunshine
Warm up the season with yellow walls, fabrics and sunny accents
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
The sunny days of summer are truly coming to a close. But you can make sunshine — or the look of it — last year-round by adding yellow to your interior. Whether you live in Alaska or experience the occasional overcast day in Los Angeles, the brightness of yellow will always leave your space feeling sun-kissed and happy. There are many inexpensive ways to sneak in the color and make a noticeable difference. Take a glance through the following photos for a bit of yellow inspiration.
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Begin your yellow makeover by painting your walls. Paint is one of the easiest and least expensive design tricks, and it can transform your space. It can be a tricky color to get right, though: experiment with several shades by painting large swatches on your wall. You’ll want to get a sense for how each shade interacts with your furniture and your room’s light throughout the day and evening.
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Take your room’s makeover further by reupholstering your furniture in a complementary color, such as purple. The yellow will become that much more distinct, making your room both sunny and spectacular.
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For extra dimension, paint yellow stripes. This is a great trick for tight spaces or those with low ceilings. If it’s the former, horizontal stripes will make the room feel wider. If it’s the latter, go with vertical for the look of added height.
by Tara Seawright
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Want to really pull in the sun? Paint the ceiling yellow! This unexpected touch gives an otherwise traditional kitchen a contemporary punch.
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Swap out your dining chairs for yellow ones, especially if your dining area is based in neutrals. Neutral platforms allow the boldness of yellow to take center stage.
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Be the first of your friends to have a bright yellow couch. Neutral surroundings also help to diffuse the brightness of yellow, so this couch feels complementary instead of overwhelming.
by Home Depot
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If new chairs or a sofa are a bit out of the budget, sneak in a smaller piece of yellow furniture. I love the antique feel of this table.
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by Busybee Design
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| Or, simply swap out your bedding! Regardless of the gray outside, if you wake up in brightly colored sheets like these, you’ll always be starting off your day with sunshine. |
by Jonathan Adler
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This geometric yellow duvet from Jonathan Adler would look incredible in a bedroom with deep gray walls.
| You can’t beat the ease or instant effect of tossing a yellow throw over your bed! Your wardrobe can help you figure out the right shade for your room. Toss your yellow clothes on your bed to see which works best! |
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| Create a cohesive theme by peppering different areas of your room with yellow. Start with a neutral base, then layer in yellow via accent chairs, throw pillows and drapes. |
You could even just concentrate the color in small accent. Place them around the room so the color is pulled throughout: once the eye sees something so bright, it begins looking for a connection elsewhere.
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This throw pillow would be a great place to start. Its detailing and felt finish gives it wonderful texture.
by Bungalow 5
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If you’ve got a bare side table craving a hint of yellow, consider a lamp like this. Such a bold color on a mid-century shape is an unexpected twist that will bring in style and a sunny glow.
Another easy way to sneak in yellow: artwork. Choose a dark frame to bright out the brightness.
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This beautiful piece will add just the yellow your space is craving. Leigh Viner is an incredibly talented artist, and prints of her work are very affordable.
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| Your eye probably shot directly to the yellow accent chair in this room, but I want to point out how the designer cleverly included a yellow theme throughout the bookshelf. This is such an easy way to create a sunshine feel without shelling out a lot of cash. Peruse flea markets or used bookstores for books with yellow spines, and then sprinkle in yellow accessories for variety. |
| The easiest, most inexpensive way to infuse your space with yellow? Lemons! When life hands you lemons … you get sunshine, right? More: How to Pick the Right Yellow Go Bold with Black and Yellow Guest Picks: Hello Yellow: Bright Ideas for the Home |
Comments
Bright Bold and Beautiful Our family room is a yellow with a gold faux finish over it ~ I never get tired of the color! http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/2010/04/home-tour-laura-trevey.html 
20 months ago · Like
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Casart Coverings Great examples! And I'll add these -- removable and reusable wallcovering in a faux linen and even better in Mary Douglas Drysdale's Signature Colors, Jefferson Yellow and a Colorwash in Tuscany. Yellow makes us feel cheerful all year round. 
20 months ago · Like
Casart Coverings And here's one other closeup in Drysdale Signature Color Tuscany for Casart coverings. 
20 months ago · Like
patscats2 I really enjoyed this post, it made me smile. I really love the neutral rooms with the bold yellow accents. If anyone wants a room that comes across as soft yellow, but there is no hint that it is yellow in the name, they need to try BM Rich Cream. I have it in my great room, laundry and pantry. It's a wonderful neutral that doesn't have any undertones of any color you put with it. Here are a couple of photo's. It shows up well in this natural light to photograph. Because it's a pastel it doesn't photograph well all the time and wanted to give you the truest rendition of the color so pardon it's my laundry room. 
20 months ago · Like
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patscats2 Didn't mean to post 2 photo's of same shot. 
20 months ago · Like
maison21 thank you for including one of my rooms!
20 months ago · Like
herzleinmild I LOVE yellow! My living room and dining room have had varying shades of yellow for the last 11 years. We recently bought a house and my husband would not consider any other color. I had to "negotiate" with him to change the shade of yellow. We really enjoy walking into sunny rooms everyday.
19 months ago · Like
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Ideabook published on Sept. 21, 2011.
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