Decorating With Yellow

Use this happy hue to bring a sunny disposition to your space.

Yellow 101

Depending on the amount of red or blue it contains, yellow can have different personalities. Yellows with a red undertone are warm and welcoming, so they’re great on large pieces of furniture and walls―“especially in north-facing rooms that might otherwise feel stark,” says New York City decorator Thomas Jayne. Yellows with a hint of blue can come off as cold, so they’re best used sparingly, on accessories or small furnishings. Jayne suggests keeping bright yellows out of bedrooms and offices, because they can disrupt sleep and concentration. But pale, buttery yellows “function as neutrals,” he explains, and can work just about anywhere.