Paint Colour Spotlight: Yellow

Jan. 15

It’s the time of year that after the holiday decor gets packed away, many of us look around our spaces and feel the need for a little refresh. If you’re looking to update your space with a fresh shade of white paint or a softer neutral, I’ve got you covered here and here.

But if you’re leaning towards something a little more colourful, you’re in the right place! To kick off 2024, this month I’ll be sharing some colourful home inspiration and rounding up all my favourite paint colours, hue by hue. Find all the colour spotlights here: pink, red, blue, green and brown.

Today's colour spotlight is one of my favourites- yellow!

Yellow is a well-loved paint colour for the optimistic and cheerful vibe it brings to a space, but it’s also one of the trickiest colours to choose. Why? Because all colours look twice as bright and twice as light once they’re up on your walls. So a yellow that looks perfect on a two-inch paint chip, can end up looking blindingly obnoxious once it’s up on your walls.

Yellow needs to be toned down (or made less saturated) for it to work on your walls. Skip the bright and fresh hues in the paint deck, and try the yellows that look a bit more drab and boring on the chip. You’ll be surprised by how warm and livable these desaturated yellows feel once they’re up on your walls.

Living Room with Creamy Yellow Walls — Image Source: Farrow & Ball

It’s also important to know that many yellows have a green or orange undertone that may not be apparent on a tiny paint chip. This is why it’s especially important to test any potential yellow paints with large samples on your wall: the direction your room faces and the existing finishes in the room will affect how the paint colour and (its undertone) looks in your space.

Children's room with yellow painted bench and wardrobe — Image Source: Farrow & Ball

Try pairing yellows with soft neutrals such as creamy white, black, gray or brown to give your eye a rest. While yellow looks beautiful with most colours, try pairing it with cooler tones such as green or blue to balance the warmth a yellow room brings.