The 10 Best Yellow Paint Colors to Give Your Rooms Just the Right Glow

A guide to help you pick the perfect shade of yellow paint

Written by
Ashley Knierim
Ashley Knierim covers home decor for The Spruce. She has over 10 years of experience in writing and editing and has held positions at Time and AOL.
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Ashley Knierim
Updated 02/23/21
bedroom painted yellow

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Yellow is believed to be notoriously difficult when it comes to painting a room. However, once you understand how to choose this delightful color, its beauty can transform a space.

Yellow is more versatile than you might think. The right shade of yellow paint can be daring and sophisticated or soft and calming. It's also a classic color that pairs well with other traditional tones. Whether in kitchens or guest rooms, yellow can be a vibrant, beautiful choice that brightens up a space.

Overview

  • Color Family: Neutral, pastel, or saturated
  • Complementary Colors: Purple
  • Pairs Well With: Whites, pinks, browns, grays, and shades of red
  • Mood: Cheerful and uplifting
  • Where to Use: Gives any room in the house a glow, good for front doors and exteriors

Here a guide to the 10 top yellow paint colors and how to make them work in any room in your home.

  • 01 of 10

    Sherwin-Williams Cachet Cream

    Sherwin-Williams Cachet Cream paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you want to experiment with yellow, but you're not quite ready to go full-on fiery, you may love the softness of Sherwin-Williams Cachet Cream (SW 6365). This peachy neutral yellow paint color is a subtle hue perfect for living rooms, dining rooms, or entryways.

    The underlying peach in Cachet Cream helps it pair well with reddish wood, while its ginger tones will intensify if placed near green accents.

    Tip

    The secret to finding the perfect yellow paint color is to identify the undertone. Yellow often has a green or orange undertone that can completely change how it looks in your home. Once you've narrowed down your options, sample any color you are considering before committing it to your walls. 

  • 02 of 10

    The Spruce Best Home Wax Pepper SPR-06

    The Spruce paint swatch in Wax Pepper

    The Spruce

    Maybe you're fully committed to yellow, so you want to embrace it in all its bold sunshine glory. The Spruce Best Home Wax Pepper (SPR-06) is the perfect shade to help you do that. Try this vibrant hue in kitchens or playrooms—anywhere that receives natural light that can work with its playful undertones.

  • 03 of 10

    Behr Turmeric

    Behr Turmeric paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Behr's Turmeric (M290-7) is not for the faint of heart, but in the right room, it adds endless mood and personality. This dignified deep yellow is perfect for living rooms or dining rooms, and it pairs well with other bold colors such as teal or orange. If you want a yellow that packs a sophisticated punch, this is it.

  • 04 of 10

    Valspar Saffron Ivory

    Valspar Saffron Ivory paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Valspar Saffron Ivory (7003-21) is a soft and elegant neutral yellow paint color that is perfect for just a hint of color in any room. Nearly white—but not quite, and always depends on the way the light in the room is reflecting on the walls—Saffron Ivory lends itself to be the main color in a space filled with warm and saturated accents. This soothing color would be an excellent choice for your bedroom or guest room.

    Continue to 5 of 10 below.
  • 05 of 10

    Magnolia Heirloom Yellow

    Magnolia Heirloom Yellow paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Joanna Gaines of Magnolia fame is a pro at selecting colors to accent the perfect modern farmhouse. Magnolia Heirloom Yellow is a rustic and antique color with a little bit of green undertone mixed in to make it almost a muted mustard. It's an earthy tone that feels grounded and mature and works well in nearly any space that needs just a hint of bold sophistication.

  • 06 of 10

    Behr Bicycle Yellow

    Behr Bicycle Yellow paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Bright yellows are happy and mood-boosting. Paint a room with Behr Bicycle Yellow (370A-3), and you won't be able to keep your smile away every time you step in the room. Bicycle Yellow is the color of sunny kitchens (even when there is no sun around) and welcoming guest rooms.

    Tip

    When used as a room's dominant color, bright yellow may also be fatiguing to the eye due to the high amount of light it reflects. Always pair the brightest yellows with lots of soothing neutrals like creamy whites and black accents.

  • 07 of 10

    Valspar Redstone Dining Room Gold

    Valspar Redstone Dining Room Gold

    The Spruce

    Gold is a sophisticated and traditional color that has never gone out of style. For a deeply elegant look, opt for non-metallic gold paint colors that are considered more neutral and less splashy. Valspar Redstone Dining Room Gold (3006-8A) is a warm and bold gold paint color with earthy undertones. As its name suggests, this color is a gorgeous choice for dining rooms, but also works well in a den or reading room. For a deeply elegant look, opt for non-metallic gold paint colors that are considered more neutral and less splashy.

  • 08 of 10

    Sherwin-Williams Moonraker

    Sherwin-Williams Moonraker paint swatch

    The Spruce

    If you love the idea of using a light green in your home​ but are afraid it could become a Kermit-inspired mess, Sherwin-Williams Moonraker (SW 6701) is the perfect yellow paint color to consider. Moonraker is a yellow-green hue that is muted enough to make it surprisingly versatile. Consider this color for laundry rooms, nurseries, or dining rooms.

    Continue to 9 of 10 below.
  • 09 of 10

    Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow

    Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow

    The Spruce

    Benjamin Moore Hawthorne Yellow (HC-4) is a traditional medium yellow paint color that is easy to work with. This rich yellow color is extremely popular with designers and colorists because of its presence and depth. Hawthorne Yellow shines as an exterior paint color but is also a favorite choice for front doors. It's just bright enough to add a little pop of color while remaining mature and sophisticated.

  • 10 of 10

    Annie Sloan English Yellow

    Annie Sloan English Yellow paint swatch

    The Spruce

    Annie Sloan is the queen of chalk paint, and her versatile English Yellow hue is the perfect color for creating bright and elegant poppy accents. The color mimics the yellows used in Chinese hand-painted wallpaper but also works well in a vintage-inspired room. Use this chalk paint to DIY a dining room table or dresser, and add the perfect amount of cheer to an otherwise neutral or all-white room.

    Determine how much paint you need with The Spruce's Paint Calculator.