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.
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01 of 10
Sherwin-Williams Cachet Cream
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.
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02 of 10
The Spruce Best Home Wax Pepper SPR-06
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.
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03 of 10
Behr Turmeric
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 orange or teal. If you want a yellow that packs a sophisticated punch, this is it.
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04 of 10
Valspar Saffron Ivory
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.
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05 of 10
Magnolia Heirloom Yellow
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.
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06 of 10
Behr Bicycle Yellow
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.
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07 of 10
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.
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08 of 10
Sherwin-Williams Moonraker
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.
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09 of 10
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.
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10 of 10
Annie Sloan English Yellow
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.