If you are considering a kitchen remodel, yellow kitchen ideas may not be the most obvious design direction. But yellow in all its guises (from whispering barley yellow to rich honey) deserves a place at the table.
Perhaps our cooking areas have always been the perfect zone to welcome this sunny kitchen color idea, as cooking, dining and relaxing seem to go hand in hand with cheerful yellow.
“Now more than ever we need a little sunshine in our lives and the brighter and bolder the better,” says Marianne Shillingford, Dulux Creative Director. “Yellow gives us an instant burst of joy, the buttercup under the chin works on our walls like it’s on a bright summer’s day – and you don’t have to paint every wall in the room, just a particular shape or piece of furniture enough to make the most of its positive benefits.” out.’
Yellow kitchen ideas
Whether you prefer the palest of primrose and soft lemon or deep ocher and mustard, it’s time to add yellow kitchens to your yellow room ideas list.
“Kitchens can be almost clinical, so using a deep mustard yellow is perfect for making a space warm and inviting,” says Aaron Markwell, interior color guru at COAT Paints. “A golden hue in your kitchen looks striking; alternatively, my trendy tip would be soft black cabinets, blackened white walls and a radiant golden glow on the ceiling.”
1. Warm up with Heritage Ocher
(Image credit: deVOL)
Sunny yellows with overtones of bright daffodil or citrus-lemon might turn off all but the bravest among us. The yellow spectrum is vast, however, and an earthy umber or warm ocher will add depth and interest to a classic kitchen style. Such a soft golden hue goes so well with grey, oatmeal or navy blue kitchen ideas and adds warmth to a neutral block scheme; It will create the illusion of warm sunshine even in darker rooms.
“Warm umber colors and beautiful objects with a story create a sense of home comfort and love for cooking,” says Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL. “The shadowy sunlight against the warm, soft yellow of the walls gave this room a beautiful ambience, skillfully transforming a dark room into a peaceful and magical kitchen.”
2. Go for glamor with gold
(Image credit: Z Properties)
Striking gold cabinets are a glamorous take on the yellow kitchen trend. What makes this kitchen look cool rather than crass is that the gold has been applied to minimal, paneled front doors, staying away from a fussy, detailed design. The result is a 21st-century interpretation of how warm yellow metallics can transform simple white kitchen ideas into something extra special and luxurious – perfect for entertaining guests amidst the soft glow of gold.
“The cabinets are wrapped in gold metal, which can convey a sunshine-like yellow,” explains Emily Williams of Florida-based design and build firm Z Properties. “We strongly believe that gold is neutral, elegant and timeless – the gold furniture connects with all the other decorative elements of the kitchen like the brass fixtures. The white diamond-shaped tile backsplash with gold dots adds a touch of whimsical and fun to the space.”
3. Add yellow in small doses
(Photo credit: Woodstock Furniture/ Forbes Rix)
If you don’t want to wear full-on yellow on cabinets and walls, try a subtle splash of this sunny hue on a freestanding cabinet or piece or furniture, especially as an accent to blue or green kitchen ideas.
“Yellow buttercups are a perfect choice for kitchens,” says Colin Roby-Welford, creative director at Fired Earth. “In natural light, they look fresh and full of vitality, providing a happy and energizing backdrop throughout the day. They then take on rich and sophisticated gold tones in evening or artificial light – and look fantastic in candlelight – making eclectic yellow kitchens ideal for entertaining too.”
We definitely support green and yellow room ideas.
4. Contrast sunburnt yellow with black
(Image credit: Little Greene)
Yellow walls don’t have to feel overly cute or traditional. If your style is on the edgy side, pair a sunny yellow hue with black accents and streamlined furniture to make it a sophisticated scene-setter.
“Black adds gravitas to a room with lots of yellow and is a more contemporary combination than white,” says Sarah Spiteri, editor of Homes & Gardens. “On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re looking for a way to warm up a black and white kitchen that might be feeling a bit cold, yellow is a perfect choice.”
5. Combine yellow with wallpaper
(Image credit: Sanderson)
If you want to incorporate yellow naturally into your kitchen, start by finding a tonal yellow wallpaper you love, like this floral print from Sanderson.
“Incorporating a yellow pattern so extensively creates an instant connection with all the other yellow details you bring into the space,” says Lucy Searle, Editor-in-Chief of Homes & Gardens. “Just make sure you choose the same shade of yellow for a cohesive, finished look.”
6. Combine it with rustic materials
(Image credit: Morris & Co)
Sunny yellow kitchen cabinets harmonize with the rich terracotta tones of exposed brick and warm exposed wood beams. Open shelving filled with stacks of clay bowls and earthenware jars underscore the relaxed rustic look with Morris & Co’s sunflower yellow paint used for an uplifting backdrop.
“Yellow is a fun and energetic hue that’s perfect for breathing new life into any space,” says Jessica Clayworth, lead designer at Morris & Co. “The color can go a long way in making an interior look fresh and exciting because of its fizz. Yellow is a timeless color as it is consistently associated with optimism and happiness.”
7. Turn up the heat with a mustard backsplash
(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)
Nothing is simpler – or more striking – than a wall of yellow paint behind the kitchen cabinets. Whether it’s simple wooden cabinetry, a sleek modern sheen, or a traditional Shaker style, a touch of bold yellow adds so much style for so little effort.
“The bright and invigorating side of the color wheel, with warm and earthy tones like yellow ocher, naturally brings zest and energy to a space,” says Helen Shaw, UK Director at Benjamin Moore. “Yellow is known to elevate mood and evoke a feeling of warmth and connection to the sun, which promotes positivity.”
8. Wake up to bright citrus-lemon
(Image credit: Future)
Juicy, fruity colors bring us joy, and this zesty citrus kitchen is no exception. The sunny tones of this ultra-modern kitchen are perhaps the cheerful wake-up call we need every morning, no matter how gray the sky is outside.
There are many qualities that make this bold color work so well. The paneled, handle-less yellow doors are simple and uncomplicated, while the dramatic grey-and-white veined marble back panel adds a grown-up sophistication. The result is bright and uplifting – essential elements for a much-needed year-round summer lift.
9. Bet on an unexpected color conflict
(Image credit: Chris Snook)
The element of surprise is greatly underestimated in the kitchen. While we may feel more confident mixing and matching colors in the living room or bedroom, we are less inclined to do so in the kitchen.
To shake things up, try an unexpected flash of color in a closet or pantry. This warm ocher tone gives the interior a golden sunshine and balances the rich red tones of the door front. And if you get tired of this yellow room idea, just paint over it with another color for a brand new look.
10. Use buttery yellow as the new neutral shade
(Photo Credit: Architect, Greg Dutton/Interior Design, Liz Dutton)
Conjure up a classic kitchen look by painting cabinets and woodwork a barely-there buttery yellow. This eye-pleasing hue is a master class in designing a timeless Shaker kitchen. Accentuate with tactile materials like wood, marble and stone, and outfit them with sleek furniture, stoneware pots and tongue-and-groove paneling.
“I’m inspired by American Shaker architecture and love the way they use yellow. It brings a lot of personality to a traditional design,” explains Greg Dutton of Midland Architecture in the US. “We chose a buttery yellow. I call it almost neutral because it’s as understated as neutral colors but still packs a lot of pop.”
11. Play country kitchen with yellow
(Credit: Paul Massey/Future)
Cornsilk Yellow is a classic choice for a country or farmhouse kitchen, as it pairs well with details like worn copper pots, beaded panels and traditional furniture. In the kitchen above, marble countertops make the whole look feel sophisticated and give it a French country feel.
12. Try yellow on the floor
(Image credit: Farrow & Ball)
Why not make your floor the star of the show with kitchen floors painted yellow? This pudding hue is fresh and inspirational, and painted floors are in line with the trend for color-saturated floor-to-ceiling spaces.
“Add yellow tones to a kitchen to elevate a room,” says Grazzie Wilson, creative lead at Ca’ Pietra. “Yellow fills a room with feel-good vibes.”
Is yellow a good color for the kitchen?
Yellow is definitely a great color for the kitchen. It’s an instantly uplifting shade that leaves you feeling happy, calm and energized. Sunny shades of yellow naturally project a warm and bright glow wherever used, making it a good color choice for smaller kitchens as it creates the illusion of more space.
Yellow colors are also said to make hungry and stimulate the appetite, so a perfect hue for the space dedicated to cooking and eating. Try a canary yellow accent wall or a head-to-toe kitchen with pastel lemon-colored cabinets for a retro look. The yellow color spectrum offers the right shade for every kitchen style.
What colors go well with a yellow kitchen?
Yellow is considered the new neutral of today, so it goes well with almost any color. Try dark hues like navy, charcoal, auburn and emerald for a bold, individual look, or crisp white paired with a sharp citrus yellow. Grey, buttermilk and light woods combine with yellow to create a calming color palette.