London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

10 yellow living room ideas - how to do the sunshine shade stylishly

10 yellow living room ideas - how to do the sunshine shade stylishly

From pale sherbet to rich ochre, these yellow living room ideas are guaranteed to brighten your home

We've spotted a crop of cool yellow living room ideas - and it's clear this spectrum of golden shades is having its moment in the sunlight.

With tastemakers and designers from Suzy Hoodless and Lucy Barlow to Tricia Guild and Matthew Williamson stylishly splashing yellow into their living rooms and design schemes, more of us are taking a shine to this joyful hue. The love of these sunny shades had started before the grey days of the pandemic, but with its warm, energetic and optimistic overtones, unsurprisingly, the yearning for yellow has gathered pace.

It also coincides with color authority, Pantone releasing its Colours of the Year 2021, Ultimate Grey and Illuminating Yellow and the slew of stylish furniture and accessories that followed to suit yellow and grey living rooms.

Forget play school primary tones, these yellow modern living room ideas are all about bursts of rich ochre through to zingy citrus and the palest sherbet shades, delivered boldly and beautifully.

1. Opt for earthy tones




'Yellow is the ideal color to use in a living room, because although it can sometimes appear raw in bright light, if the right tone is used in the right space it can feel uplifting during the day and then have a magic glow at night,' says Joa Studholme, Farrow & Ball, Colour Curator.

In the more contemporary home, earthier yellows used on both walls and woodwork create the ultimate in relaxed warm rooms that contribute to our wellbeing. These deeper, more muted yellows create a more sophisticated, cozy feel than the more vibrant yellow hues so ideal if you want a more subtle, toned-down look that still feels sunny and warm.

2. Balance a yellow living room with neutrals




Grey and yellow living rooms are popular for a reason; yellow warms up the cool tones of grey and grey balances out the vibrant tones of yellow. Pair yellow walls with a grey sofa and layers of neutrals or bring a pop of yellow into an all grey living room for a lift

'Shades of yellow and ochre balanced with neutrals, such as Dulux's Brave Ground, can help create a classic contemporary backdrop that will work with any mix of furniture, and that won’t date,' says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director, Dulux.

3. Add subtle pops of yellow




Introducing a new color doesn't mean a total overhaul though, a subtle hint can work well too. Here, Lucy Barlow of design studio, Barlow & Barlow has enlivened an elegant neutral scheme with splashes of gold, brass, and buttercup yellow cushions.

4. Blend yellow with warm brown tones




For a cool 70s feel, brown and yellow can totally work. Be inspired by this yellow living room idea and back soft ochre tones with Mid-century modern furniture and vintage-inspired prints.

'Delicate, poetic or vibrantly zingy – decorating with yellow can deliver a dash of optimism and joy to your space. These warming hues open the door to a new perspective to our palette, that brings a modern twist to what is typically referred to as a retro mood,' says Tricia Guild, OBE. Founder & Creative Director, Designers Guild

'We especially love the golden glow of our 'Shore Lichen ’paint shade from our Earth Tones range - with cool undertones this soft rich ochre looks wonderful with greys and sepia tones for a sophisticated, contemporary look. Inspired by the soothing beauty of the natural world - many are looking to nature, more than ever and are inspired by shades of lichen, smoky mushroom and ochre to offer a natural warmth and richness.'

5. Team rich yellows to black




If yellow seems overpowering, ground it by teaming it with accents of black or chocolate brown for a sophisticated look that will appeal to classicists and mid-century modernists alike. In this yellow living room the bold ochre walls are tempered with dark architraves and skirting boards.

'Ochre can come into its own in darker spaces,' says Lucy St George, co-founder of Rockett St George. ‘It adds a happy glow to any room and is perfect for north-facing rooms that need to bring their own sunshine’.

6. Layer up yellows




'In terms of sheer joyfulness, no hue can quite rival yellow and it will instantly add life and vitality to a space,' says Claire Hornby, Head of Creative at Barker & Stonehouse.

'When it comes to creating a living room scheme, I would always recommend picking an array of tonal shades and textures to create variation and tactility, especially if you have a strong block of one color in the form of a sofa or chair. This can be easily achieved using a mix of soft furnishings such as cushions, throws and rugs.'

7. Go for barely there yellows




If you are after a more subtle living room color scheme, opt for a barely-there pale yellow on the walls and pair it with soft neautrals and pale wood. The overall look is almost neutral, just with a more uplifting feel.

'2021 is a year pinned with hope for lots of us and yellow can help us fill our homes with the kind of optimistic vibe we're after,' says Rob Green Founder, Coat Paints. 'Fantone 21 channels that. As a muted pastel yellow, it works well as a versatile color in most homes.'

8. Paint the woodwork yellow




A dash of incandescent yellow – Trumpet by Little Greene – delivers a burst of energy and links the front living room to the middle sitting room in the home of interior designer Suzy Hoodless. It also saves the two spaces from being 'too polite'. 'Color is an easy way to create a dramatic effect.' says Suzy.

9. Add some heat with deep mustard shades




Designer, Matthew Williamson has used hot mustard hues on the walls of his living room, at the dining end, which opens onto a beautiful outdoor terrace, so it feels sunny even on the greyest of days.

'Without doubt, color affects your mood,' says Matthew. 'It’s such a powerful tool for both fashion and interiors. To keep things contemporary yet uplifting, I team classic colors with a pop of neon or an unexpected contrasting tone.'

10. Have fun with paint effects




Color blocking has been a strong trend for years now, and the easiest way to get this look is using paint. Painted just a section of the walls yellow and choosing a neutral for the rest of the wall creates a striking effect in this yellow living room.

Paula Taylor, Colour & Trend Specialist at Graham & Brown, says. 'The juxtaposition of steely monochrome and vibrant yellow strikes a harmonious balance between warm and cool, denoting resilience and hope for the coming year. Grey has long been the go-to for an on trend modern aesthetic, providing a neutral base for statement home accessories to stand out. Yellow, on the other hand, cuts through the cool grey hue adding dimension and a splash of freshness.'

Is yellow a good color for a living room?


Yellow is a perfect color for a living room if you want to create a warm, sunny space that always feels bright and inviting. This lovely versatile color can work with all styles too, from deep ochres for a moody and dramatic dark living room to light and bright primrose shades for more traditional spaces. And it can be paired with so many other colors too so really easy to incorporate into your current color scheme.

What color goes with a yellow living room?


Yellow can be paired with so many different colors depending on the look you are going for. Grey and yellow are a classic combination and a good option if you are a neutrals lover but want you to add just a hint of warmth to a grey living room. Green is also a lovely fresh color to pair with yellow if you want a really nature-inspired color palette, and warm tones like pink and orange look lovely with deep yellow tones.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
UK Home Secretary Apologizes Over Child Grooming Failures
Trump Organization Launches 5G Mobile Network and Golden Handset
Towcester Hosts 2025 English Greyhound Derby Amid Industry Scrutiny
Gary Oldman and David Beckham Knighted in King's Birthday Honours
Over 30,000 Lightning Strikes Recorded Across UK During Overnight Storms
Princess of Wales Returns to Public Duties at Trooping the Colour
Red Arrows Use Sustainable Fuel in Historic Trooping the Colour Flypast
Former Welsh First Minister Addresses Unionist Concerns Over Irish Language
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
France Bars Israeli Arms Companies from Paris Defense Expo
King Charles Leads Tribute to Air India Crash Victims at Trooping the Colour
Jack Pitchford Embarks on 200-Mile Walk to Support Stem Cell Charity
Surrey Hikers Take on Challenge of Climbing 11 Peaks in a Single Day
UK Deploys RAF Jets to Middle East Amid Israel-Iran Tensions
Two Skydivers Die in 'Tragic Accident' at Devon Airfield
Sainsbury's and Morrisons Accused of Displaying Prohibited Tobacco Ads
UK Launches National Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
Families Seek Closure After Air India Crash
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Trump Reports $57 Million Earnings from Crypto Venture
Trump's Military Parade Sparks Concerns Over Authoritarianism
Nationwide 'No Kings' Protests Challenge Trump's Leadership
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Trump's Anti-War Stance Tested Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Germany Holds First Veterans Celebration Since WWII
U.S. Health Secretary Dismisses CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee
Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Killed in Targeted Attack; Senator John Hoffman and Wife Injured
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
×