Home Garden

How to Decorate a Room With the Color Yellow

Yellow is a cheerful color choice for a living room, kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, but it can be overwhelming if used too aggressively. When you use pale shades of yellow and coordinate the space with various tones of the color, you can design a bright space. Accessorize the space with dark woods to tame the light in the room or white surfaces to add to the airy feel.

Things You'll Need

  • Pale yellow paint
  • Area rug
  • Pillows
  • Artwork
  • Wood furniture trim
  • Lamps
  • Accessories
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Instructions

    • 1

      Paint the walls a pale, creamy yellow with an eggshell finish. Especially nice in a sunny living room or a bright kitchen, a pale yellow cheers the room without being distracting.

    • 2

      Place a pale yellow area rug over a dark wood floor or plain beige carpeting. This will tie the room together visually.

    • 3

      Use yellow accent pillows along with solid-colored pillows that bring in other colors from furniture or upholstered chairs. Deep blues, oatmeal and jewel tones are some possible choices.

    • 4

      Hang a bold piece of artwork on the wall behind a sofa or in a dining area that features yellow colors. Mark Rothko's "Untitled: Violet, Black, Orange, Yellow on White and Red," 1949 or Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" c. 1888 are possible classic choices.

    • 5

      Choose cherry wood, black or white furniture in the room to frame yellow accessories and to provide some contrast in a yellow room.

    • 6

      Shop for table and floor lamps that have decorative glass shades that feature yellow colors. Ceramic-based lamps in yellow tones are a less-expensive option.

    • 7

      Accessorize the space with vintage yellow glassware, artwork, textiles and antique store finds to add interest and depth to the space.