Shades of Yellow:
Sunshine for Your Walls

Learn how to enliven your space with this happy paint color...

Considering yellow walls? There are probably more shades of yellow than any other color.

Ranging from delicate primrose to uncompromising cadmium, every shade is infused with life!

But yellow paint color intensifies drastically when used on the walls - more so than most other hues.

And while a tiny paint chip may look sunny and cheerful, the overall effect can turn out rather overwhelming in reality.

Interior decorators even have a joke about this - "Every can of yellow paint should come with Caution: Handle With Care!"

The fact is, your chosen yellow can often disappoint on the walls - that's why it's so important to test it first, using large sample boards.

But, while difficult to work with, yellow walls can be so rewarding when you get the color right!

Strong and Bold Shades of Yellow

Saffron, cadmium, lemon yellow - these shades are not shy about shouting their presence, much like red!

But unlike red, their excitement is festive and cheerful, rather than bold and energetic. They are also bright - not just purely stimulating.

For this reason these vivid hues are very difficult for the eye to process and see. In fact, they are the least popular on the spectrum.

Some real estate agents even advise homesellers against bright yellow walls, because this color can often lower the perceived value of a house.

Acid yellows are not restful in bedrooms and other relaxing areas.

Plus, they reflect poorly on the skin, making people look as though they are suffering from jaundice - pretty much ruling them out as a good choice in powder rooms and bathrooms.

But where do you use these saturated shades then?

Hallways, rooms without windows, utility rooms, laundry rooms, closets and other dark spaces can really benefit from the added brilliance of strong yellows.

TIP: These highly reflective shades appear even brighter than white, so use them wherever you want to bring in some light.

In the North, bold yellows can take away the grayness present in the natural light, and warm up a space.

In already well lit rooms, bright yellows are best saved for painting a statement wall, an alcove or as home decor accents.

And in hot, southern climates, it's better to opt for a cooler, yellow-green color (think more of a chartreuse).

Most popular in contemporary urban settings, kitchens and other rooms with bustling activity, acid yellows look crisp with white woodwork, and lively with touches of pure/clean pink, purple, red and green.

TIP: if you made a mistake and painted your entire room a yellow that is too strong, you can draw attention away from the crazy yellow walls and ground the color with the help of dark furniture, bright-colored fabrics and dramatic wall art.

Or just avoid mistakes altogether by using the Paint Color Cheat Sheets that give you 8 best shades of yellow that always work.

Traditional and Sophisticated Shades of Yellow

But of course, there are also more approachable and livable yellow shades - such as butter, pale ocher, camel and muted gold.

Even when the color of your yellow walls is barely noticeable, it will still look welcoming and provide a natural warmth to a space.

Pleasant and peaceful, these are the most successful shades to work with.

But they are also very tricky to choose, because oftentimes what you think will be a nice buttery shade when looking at a small paint chip can turn out pretty crazy yellow when painted on the walls.

TIP: because yellow intensifies a lot, the right shade for your walls (if you want a soft calm yellow) will be the one that looks almost beige on a small chip.

Since they are not trendy, traditional shades of yellow never go out of vogue, and can be tailored to any decorating style.

For example, they will look contemporary when paired with oranges and purples.

Or, to create a timeless English look, combine them with greens, reds and blues.

But in general, virtually any color will look good against soft, muted yellow walls.

These pleasant shades often form the basis of a neutral but more interesting room color scheme, and can emphasize stained wood finishes like maroon brown, mahogany and chestnut.

TIP: Want your pale, muted yellow walls to look more yellow? You can easily leverage the existing wall color by adding a few bright yellow accents to the decor - the result will be "sunshine by osmosis". The whole room will look more vivid!

And if you want to create the look of soft, pale yellow walls in a poorly lit space, you will need to crank up the intensity of the color and actually use one of the stronger yellows - otherwise your creamy yellow will look like a sickly shade in the lack of natural light.

Yellow Room Projects
From Our Visitors:

Want more ideas and inspiration for painting yellow walls?

Here's how other people have used yellow paint in their homes - take a look at these photos and stories submitted by our readers.

And if you have your own yellow room painting project to share, click here and see your name in lights!

My Yellow Paint Color Mistake and Happy Ending 
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A Shade of Yellow Tan Paint on Our Living Room Walls 
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My Yellow Painting Idea for Kitchen Walls - "Antique Gold" 
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Blue and Yellow Walls in My Victorian House 
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