Splash out on sunshine

Yellow’s the colour of sunshine, lemons, sunflowers and buttercups, and even just a small dose of its golden hues will inject rooms with light and energy.
Tap into sunshine style with yellowTap into sunshine style with yellow
Tap into sunshine style with yellow

With so many shades to choose from - think citrus bright through to champagne or buttery gold - it’s easy to liven up a space with uplifting zingy colour pop, or bring a warm glow to your space by plundering this palette.

“Yellows are shades like no other; their tones are associated with warmth, optimism and happiness and they’re able to brighten any space in an instant,” says Julie Yarwood, interior designer for Manchester-based furniture specialist, Housing Units.

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“Naturally, the popularity of yellow interiors peaks in the summer - especially if we’re feeling somewhat starved of bright, sunny days - but there are ways to incorporate yellow into your decor which will work all year round.”

Pale yellows, she points out, can open up a space and are particularly effective in small rooms or those with a lack of natural light. “Softer yellows, such as buttercup and lemon, can have a calming influence, and make for a great backdrop for dark woods and accent furniture. Deeper, golden yellows are timeless and versatile, lending themselves well to various aesthetics, both traditional and contemporary.”

So play with the power of yellow and tap into sunshine style.

YELLOW POWER

Invest in the power of yellow by working the walls with yellow paint or wallpaper, or simply make a statement with a stunning piece of yellow furniture.

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“Our eyes can see more yellows than any other colour in the spectrum, and so it’s one of the most versatile colours for expressing different styles in interiors,” enthuses Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux. “And if positivity, creativity and joy were colours, they would be shades of yellow.

“From deep complex mustard tones to baby chick pastels, yellow keeps surprising us with its rich complexity and ability to delight. If you like your yellow sharp and sweet, try our Sunny Savannah 6 [from the Layer + Layer Collection, £24.49 for 2.5L], or if you prefer a more creamy, dreamy yellow, you’ll love Sunny Day [from the Travels In Colour Collection, £21.98 for 2.5L].”

SUNSHINE PICKS: Florals and yellow work brilliantly together, as Mazarine wallpaper by Albany Festival, currently reduced to £17.50 from £25 a roll, Wallpaper Direct, ably demonstrates with red flowers on a bright yellow background.

Alternatively, another of the company’s papers provides an easy way to pick up on the current geometric trend: Widenor Chevron Yellow wallpaper by Thibaut is £56 a roll.

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If you’re prepared to be bold, paint woodwork in a bright yellow shade, such as Crown Paints Tibetan Gold non-drip gloss, from £13.92 for 750ml, from B&Q and Homebase.

Let a sofa take centre stage by upholstering it in the fabulous yellow Cube velvet fabric, £32 a metre from Voyage Decoration. Embrace the colour in the bedroom with a Jonah bed, upholstered in a deep, yolky yellow, from £549 at Made.com.

SUNSHINE SNIPS: Revamp a chest of drawers with Lemon Yellow Knobs, £9 each, Etsy, and accessorise with a Pasadena Ceramic Table Lamp, in sulphur yellow, £29, Tesco.

MELLOW YELLOW

Tone down the effect - too much yellow can be garish - but still achieve a stylish impact by introducing pops of yellow in well-chosen pieces and accessories.

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“If used in abundance, vibrant yellows can overtake a room, making it appear smaller than it is. Yellow is, after all, the colour of caution, so proceed with care when using it,” advises Julie Yarwood at Housing Units.

“When choosing brighter shades of yellow, it’s best to pair with neutral tones and greys, as this will help to balance out your colour palette. Using yellow as an accent colour is a great way of injecting life into rooms, which with the ever-popular tonal neutral schemes can lack that ‘special’ something. Adding cushions, artwork or even yellow blooms can make a huge difference.”

SUNSHINE PICKS: Show off lemon or glossy yellow touches to best effect in a room with a neutral colour scheme and furniture in pale creamy shades. The Calista furniture range from Housing Units, currently reduced, has sleek good looks and its soft white upholstery is made for this look. 3 Seater Chaise Sofa, £899 from £1299; 2 Seater Sofa, £499 from £799; Armchair, £349 from £499.

A Yellow Hare Cushion, £40, In Spaces, could be perfect for that splash of colour on seating.

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Digetex Home is never slow to pick up on a trend, and their Isabella Yellow Roller Blind, £119, scattered with blowsy yellow roses on a yellow wash background, could win compliments for a well-dressed window.

Go on a supermarket sweep and jazz up a dining area with Marseille Metal Dining Chair in sulphur yellow, a bargain at £49 each, Tesco Direct. Yellow is Habitat’s bestselling colour, so there’s plenty to plunder from its range. One of its most useful pieces is a Blossom Yellow Side Table, £50, with yellow top and dip-dye-style yellow legs.

Quirky touches always catch the eye and raise a smile. The French Bedroom Company’s My Yellow Deer Head, £45, is a welcome whacky take on this ubiquitous accessory. Alternatively, dress up a table, or a wall, with a Trapeze Boy Bone China Dinner Plate, £48, Melody Rose.

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