5 joyful yellow colour combinations for a bright and happy home

Joyful and uplifting, yellow is certainly out there in terms of bold choices, but the secret to making it work is to team it with a complementary hue. So whether it’s paired with blue for a cool coastal feel or toasty terracotta to heat up your space, it’s guaranteed to ramp up the happy vibes. Here are five yellow colour combinations to try in your home...

Yellow and Green

A match made in heaven... Try replicating the positivity of this pairing in your interiors by partnering yellow walls with green highlights on architectural details, textiles and furniture. For accessories, go for a fun touch with stripes, scallops and speckles.

GET THE MUSTARD & GREEN LOOK:

• Conway dining table, Stella ribbed stool in Chartreuse, both Next Home

• Victoria vase, Folk carafe, Folk tumblers, all LSA International

• Splatter vase, The Conran Shop

• Yara wine glasses, Oliver Bonas

• Florence Moss ruffled cushion cover, Cathy Nordström

• Late Afternoon scallop cereal bowls, scallop dinner plates, LF Markey stripe napkin, all Heal’s

• Walls in Yellow-Pink absolute matt emulsion, panelling in Middle Buff intelligent eggshell, both Little Greene

• Jasper Conran Bray dining chairs, Next Home

• Curtain in Kanoko, Zoffany

• Green and white plates, Kinkatou Studio London

• Aphrodite pendant, Pooky

• Sophie brush fringe, Sophie border (both on pendant), both Samuel & Sons

• Late Afternoon Leaves jug, £85, Heal’s.

Yellow and Coral

Neutral spaces love soft apricots and gentle corals, which will combine with yellow to warm everything up in an elegant, liveable way. Turn up the heat a little with rich burgundy highlights and layer in detail with stripes, frills, tassels and abstract designs.

GET THE GOLD AND CORAL LOOK:

• Walls in Jonquil 20% emulsion, Edward Bulmer

• Yellow stripe made using Frogtape

• Delicate masking tape, Amazon

• Ada small sofa in Natural, House Beautiful Collection at DFS

• Chair covered in Truffle Rowan Berry, Sanderson

• Lace footstool, Ligne Roset

• Huxley side table, Oka

• Mag round coffee table, Splatter vase, both The Conran Shop

• Lazio red gloss side table, Heal’s

• Moonshine floor lamp, straight empire shade in yellow
  shibori linen, both Pooky

• Cushions: Tangier mustard stripe, Alice Palmer & Co; Align, John Lewis & Partners, Folly Husk, Romo

• Knitted tassel throw, striped jug, both M&S

• Marble-effect sculptural bowl, Next Home

• Curtain in Quebec linen, Prestigious Textiles

• Lido II flatweave rug, A Rum Fellow

• Ceramic fruit, from a selection, The Curious House

• Natural wood beads, Beads Unlimited

• For a similar yellow vase, try Mojave glaze vase, Sass & Belle.

Yellow and Red

These colours both have a big personality, so using them together is all about balance. In this kitchen, the lovely lemon cabinetry provides a clean, fresh feel enhanced by the red accessories. A softer red has been chosen for the lighting over the island.

GET THE LEMON AND RED LOOK:

• Walls in Jonquil 40% emulsion, Edward Bulmer

• Tall yellow jug, lemon jug, green pumpkin jar, Lemon plates
  (on wall), all Graham & Green

• Wooden centrepiece, Alessi

• Cupboards painted in Marblehead Gold Regal Select interior
  eggshell, Benjamin Moore

• Blind in Oxley Multi, border in Linara Canary, both Romo

• Oslo bar stools, Next Home

• Yellow striped basket (used as planter), ceramic lemon ornament, Rose bubble plant pots, lemon plates, lemon tin; all Graham & Green

• American kitchen scales, Dyke & Dean

• De’Longhi Icona Capitals kettle, Currys

• Raie striped table lamp, Heal’s

• Toaster, jug blender, casserole pan, all Smeg

• Storage jars, Alessi

• Kitchen cloth, Dyke & Dean

• Kate Millbank Blackbird Oak framed print, John Lewis & Partners

• Buoy pendants in Brick, Palefire.
  

Yellow and Black

As yellow has energetic properties, it’s best to use it sparingly in bedrooms or choose a more soothing shade. Keep charcoal tones to the smaller items such as textiles and accessories – this bedside table makes a statement against the saffron woodwork.

GET THE OCHRE AND BLACK LOOK:

• Walls in Jonquil 40% emulsion, Edward Bulmer

• Panelling in Yellow-Pink absolute matt emulsion, Little Greene

• Mariano side table, Cordelia cream rug, both DFS

• Ochre ikat stool, Holmes Bespoke

• Curtains in Regency Aperigon fabric, Sanderson

• Solis candleholders, Oliver Bonas

• Abstract Form framed print, Barker & Stonehouse

• Black Abstract Shapes box framed art, Rockett St George

• Hattie lamp, Bobble trinket box, both M&S

• Yellow striped candle, George Home

• Headboard in Ballerine fabric, Camengo

• Yellow striped pillowcases, John Lewis & Partners

• Washed cotton double duvet in Malm, pillowcases, all Fired Earth x M&S

• Fringed throw, Barker & Stonehouse

• Yard Lark cotton muslin throw, Global bobble cushion, both Next Home

• Monochrome stripe cushion cover, ochre stripe cushion cover, both Amuse la Bouche

• Tangier mustard stripe valance, Alice Palmer & Co

• Gingham cushion cover, Cathy Nordström.

Yellow and White

A fresh and pretty combo, yellow and white is perfect for bathrooms, and stripes add to the energising feel. Invest in two-tone tiles, introduce striped accessories or go all out and have both. Keep toiletries minimal for maximum impact.

GET THE CITRUS AND WHITE LOOK:

• Lotto rattan wall lamp, Dyke & Dean

• Striped towel, cream speckled jar and tray, all George Home

• Yellow striped basket, yellow curve candleholder, both
  Graham & Green

• Natural bath sponge, John Lewis & Partners

• Bamboo body brush, M&S

• Rander ceramic stool, Oka

• For similar plants, try Beards & Daisies

• Yellow Bit stool, Heal’s

• Folk vase, LSA International

• Naram towel, melamine sugar bowl, both Dyke & Dean

• Leaf green scallop tray, Addison Ross

• Striped tumbler, George Home.
  

Photography: Polly Wreford / Styling: Rebecca De Boehmler / Production: Sarah Keady

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