It may officially be ‘summer’ but, for most of Britain, the sun is yet to make a notable appearance.
Grey skies and unusually cool breezes are robbing us of seasonal joy, as well as the chance to flounce about in pretty frocks and sandals.
Whilst the weather may be lacklustre the latest fashions for our homes (and wardrobes) are thankfully not. A plethora of fabulous new interior design paints, fabrics and furnishings have arrived to inject some much needed sunshine into our lives and they all celebrate the most dazzling shade in nature’s colour spectrum; yellow!
Trend Setter
If you follow colour trends you’ll probably know that Pantone was the first to bring yellow back into our lives, naming the bold and banana-esque Illuminating a Colour of the Year in 2021. Last Autumn, they took it a step further and predicted pretty pastel Popcorn Yellow as a major influencer for spring summer 2022 home interiors and fashion.
The paint brands followed suit with Farrow & Ball releasing cheery Babouche and Dulux including zesty Lemon Jester in its #4 The Workshop Colours palette, alongside its 2022 Colour of The Year Bright Skies.
Yellow Interiors in Colour Psychology
Devotees of TV interior designer and professional colour lover, Sophie Robinson, will have already signed up to the concept that colour is a major influencer on how we feel in a certain space and, as a primary colour, yellow’s impact on our emotions is enormous.
Amazingly, it’s been proven that the brain releases more serotonin when a person is surrounded by yellow. So, in colour psychology terms, it’s seen as a positive shade that evokes feelings of fun, optimism, happiness and confidence.
Culturally, yellow makes us think of ripening crops, sunflowers and pineapples evoking memories of summer which are uplifting.
From mellow yellow to opulent ochre, yellow’s warm and radiant hues can be used to inject a little hope and enthusiasm into even the darkest of days; so what could possibly go wrong if we include it in our homes?
Well, quite a lot actually! Every colour has positive and negative effects on our emotions. Colour psychologists believe that yellow speaks to the left side of the brain, the home of intellect and analytical thinking. Overload on yellow, or use the wrong tone in the wrong place, and it could end up making us feel anxious and irrational, even aggressive.
Like anything in life, however, it’s about moderation. Experts assure us that if you pick a shade of yellow you love and use it in the right proportions in the right spaces alongside a complementary colour palette, and it will work in your favour.
How to use Yellow in Interior Design Schemes
There are many ways you can easily incorporate yellow into your interior design scheme.
Used correctly, yellow can open up a room and make it feel larger than it really is. It’s a great colour for morning rooms, such as kitchens, and it can make a dark north facing hallway feel much more cheery and welcoming. Yellow can also be used to positive effect in a home office (where it helps out that left side of our brain!).
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Yellow is best avoided in spaces reserved for rest and relaxation, such as bedrooms. Or, if you must, use it sparingly and in very soft muted shades alongside its neighbouring colours on the colour wheel, where the gentle change of colour will feel calming.
If you’re unsure about how to add yellow to your home, start by adding pops of colour through cushions, throws, lamps or wall art. If you’re colour confident, take it a step further with a statement armchair or a feature wall.
To get you started, here’s some of our favourite yellow interior paints, fabrics and furnishings currently available online or in store. Happy decorating!
