Brightening up even the dullest days, using yellow in the living room will add instant cheer to one of the most-used rooms in the home. Relax and socialise while soaking up its dopamine-inducing hues for a mood boost.
Is yellow a good colour for a living room?
Yes, yellow is an excellent colour to use in a living room if you want to create an energising, welcoming space. During the day, the room will look bright and open, and in the evening it'll appear cosy and inviting. There's a range of yellow hues to suit your scheme, whether you prefer buttery tones or ochre-tinged walls. The colour yellow is versatile as it can be incorporated into decor styles ranging from mid-century modern and eclectic vintage , Art Deco to Tuscan style and even boho decor. You can also inject a shot of yellow into your scheme with a statement yellow sofa.
Love yellow? Then check out our yellow kitchen ideas, yellow bathroom ideas and yellow bedroom ideas.
Yellow living room ideas
Sunstar No. 42, £41.95 for 2.5L, Victory Colours
Go for a splash of bold sunny yellow on your walls - your living room will be illuminated during sunrise and golden hour. Pair with brick-effect walls and natural wooden furniture to bring out its warm tones.
Yellow and teal living room
Dewdrops wallpaper in Citron, £85 for 52cm x 10m, MissPrint
Teal and citrus yellow pair well together - but if you want to break up large blocks of colour, choose a patterned wallpaper. Dark wood, black accessories and a bold graphic cushion stand out against this eye-catching colour combo. Check out our favourite teal cushions - perfect for complementing a yellow scheme
Regal® Select Flat in Yellow Finch, £27 for 0.94L, Benjamin Moore
Team with other primary colours to create a fresh look. A vivid yellow with green undertones is best for this: we love Benjamin Moore's Bright Finch.
Golden yellows
Antique Gold No. 41, £41.95 for 2.5L, Victory Colours
Use golden hues to bring warmth into a cold north-facing room. Keep the rest of the scheme simple with bright whites, blonde wooden accents and leafy greenery to keep the focus on the walls.
Mix the yellows
Image courtesy of Carpetright
Who says you can't combine different shades of yellow? A plush mustard-tinged armchair is striking with a sunflower yellow paint, and we love the addition of mid-toned wood through accessories, furniture and flooring.
Grey and yellow living room
Dulux Paint Mixing Matt in Cherished Gold, £33.11 for 2.5L, Dulux Paints
Grey and yellow is a popular colour combination, as grey really makes co-ordinating colours pop. The colour combo is so good, it was Pantone's first dual Colour of the Year in 2021. Panelling doesn't just have to be in dark, heritage-inspired shades either - a lemony shade makes it zing. Here's how to make and install wooden panelling for a period look
- Pantone Colour of the Year 2021: how to use grey and yellow
- How to use grey in your living room decor
- Wood panelling ideas: from traditional to contemporary we have it covered
Yellow and pastel living room
A trio of sherbet lemon, blush pink and sky blue combine to create a pastel living room. Team with Art Deco-inspired furniture and modern accessories to avoid making the scheme look too twee.
Colourwash yellow living room
Colourwashing (where a thin layer of diluted paint is applied over a base colour) gives a weathered finish reminiscent of a rustic farmhouse or country cottage, which is full of character.
How to use blocks of yellow to complement your living room
Use the existing structure of your home to create a bright pop of colour - this works particularly well when the rest of the space is kept neutral. An archway or alcove in your home is perfect for this eye-catching look. Here's how to create painted wall arches
Get creative with painting accent features on the wall. A bright yellow shade against a crisp white backdrop creates a fun edge to your scheme, as well as zoning a multi-purpose living room. Here's how to paint stripes, geometric shapes and circles on your walls
Add jewel tones to yellow to create a warm and cocooning environment. Frame a window scene using paint - make sure to paint all the way up to the ceiling to draw the eye upwards.
Dark yellow living rooms
A mid-tan, dark yellow suits homes with period features such as cornices, picture rails and plaster friezes. Add cosy textures such as boucle and wool to avoid the scheme looking too much like a stately home.
Mustard yellow living room
Rich mustardy, golden shades are bold enough to stand up to mid-century furniture, brown tones and statement graphics. Keep the rest of the room such as the floor stripped back to let the walls shine.
Mix patterns
Mix and match prints across a co-ordinating colour palette for a tied-together scheme. Experiment with paint, wallpaper and fabric across walls, curtains and cushions.
Looking for more inspiration for your living room? Check out these colourful and textural guides: