Hanging a new art print, fluffing new pillows, and even rolling on a fresh coat of paint to walls are all ways to update a room without a stressful overhaul. And if you’ve noticed that this budget-friendly fix is particularly cheery these days, that might be because of the color people are turning to most often as of late: butter yellow.
“The color’s growing popularity offers an alternative to the monochromatic palettes that have dominated both wardrobes and living spaces in recent years,” says Becky Ducsik, president and creative director at The Phinery. “The millennial generation is particularly eager to bring yellow into their homes—perhaps because they’re nostalgic for the 90s-inspired interiors they grew up with, when soft yellow was the ‘it’ color.”
But if you’ve noticed plenty of before-and-after spaces sporting this hue, then you’re likely also noting potential pitfalls. When decorating with butter yellow, the top must-do is picking surrounding colors or undertones that are equally inviting.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make with yellow is pairing it with colors and finishes that are too cool,” says Micaela Quinton, director of design at Copper Sky Design + Remodel. “Grays, cool blues, and silvery finishes will make the space feel dated.” Funny enough, Quinton notes that while this combination was on trend in the early 2000s, it feels like a time capsule of the era now. Here’s what you should do instead when decorating with butter yellow to meet the present moment.
Stick With Warm Tones
While gray sure was popular in recent years, this and other cool tones should be left alone when you’re ready to embrace the bolder personality of butter yellow. “Lean into warmer companion colors and finishes,” Quinton continues. “Butter yellow feels much more elevated when paired with equally warm materials and textures.”
Quinton recently used Sherwin-Williams Butter Up and Sherwin-Williams June Day in a project, noting that both have cozy attributes that are complemented by other pastels. “If you’re looking for a more sophisticated or traditional aesthetic, pair butter yellow with warm brown undertones,” she notes. In this case, Quinton would ground an option like Sherwin-Williams Lemon Chiffon with brass or bronze.
Nevertheless, if you’re unsure of too much saturation but you still want to spread butter yellow on your walls, then it’s still possible to stick with a specific neutral. Ducsik recommends two butter yellow options from Benjamin Moore, Honeybee in a matte finish and Weston Flax in an eggshell finish. “Benjamin Moore’s Honeybee is playful, due to its full-bodied, rich undertones,” she says, noting its potential for a nursery. “Benjamin Moore’s Weston Flax offers subtle color, making it the perfect shade for entryways, living rooms, and bathrooms.” Either option, she notes, will be complemented by Benjamin Moore’s Simply White—a neutral that will never go out of style.
Go All Natural
Given that butter yellow is a sunny shade, Quinton says you can complete the rest of the palette with other colors similarly found outdoors. That way, the room will read as more sophisticated and less juvenile. “Butter yellow pairs beautifully with earthy tones such as rust, chocolate brown, olive green, and deep teal,” she continues. In this example, you can use butter yellow in places where gathering and relaxation go hand-in-hand—such as living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens.
Within a natural theme, Ducsik recommends pairings with green undertones like Benjamin Moore’s White Wisp, Sea Haze, and Dark Olive. “These will add personality and depth to creamy yellows,” she notes. For something brighter, Ducsik would pair butter yellow with Bridal Rose, which has the slightest hint of pink.
Embrace a Vintage Feel
As trendy as butter yellow seems to be, it is a shade that’s been found indoors for generations. So it’s no wonder that walnut, oak, and vintage furnishings really make the color pop. “Butter yellow feels most at home with designs that lean more traditional and collected,” Quinton says. “Medium and darker wood tones reinforce that aesthetic.”
Looking to the past will not only create a layered environment, but it will likely help you to steer clear of this overarching mistake. “Avoid gray tones and whitewashed woods, as they tend to push the space in a more contemporary direction,” Quinton says. “That style doesn’t play as well with butter yellow.”
Kelly Dawson is a writer, editor and marketing consultant. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Travel + Leisure and other publications.
