Here comes the sun: See how yellow can brighten your home

What's guaranteed with yellow is the lengths it will go to brighten up your home. And with homes celebrating well-being and self-care like never before, yellow finds its home in both modern and traditional interiors. We welcome its optimism and cheerfulness, especially in the colder months, an instant hit of sunshine no matter what the weather is like outside. Take a look at these four delightful and unexpected designs below for some sunny inspiration.  

Now is your time to test out your favourite shades of yellow. For the month of August, for every yellow Resene testpot 60 mL you buy at your local Resene owned ColorShop (NZ), Resene will donate $1 to the Cancer Society of NZ. Read more about Resene’s Paint It Yellow campaign and how you can support the Cancer Society and Daffodil Day.  

Zesty hues 

 

In this Mediterranean dining space, bursts of yellow painted on accessories work sensationally with the bright blues, creating a fresh and inviting feel. The small vase is painted in Resene Energy Yellow, tall vase in Resene Turbo, blue vase in Resene Half Resolution Blue, bowl in Resene Float, tealight candle holder in Resene White, cabinet and wall pattern in Resene Torea Bay and wall in Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.  

Blue and yellow are a great combo, often reminding us of sunny days at the beach or on holiday. Just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean you can’t use summery shades, especially the deliciously zesty ones! Try pairing citrusy shades like Resene Paris Daisy, Resene Gorse, Resene Broom and Resene Quarter Turbo with bold blues like Resene Mariner and Resene Tory Blue 

Mellow yellow 



In this mellow space, the walls are painted in Resene Chenin, floor in Resene Mellow Yellow, artwork frame in Resene Blank Canvas, two door cabinet in Resene Double Spanish White, pink vases in Resene Lipstick, vase with handle in Resene Double Spanish White and tall vase with ribbed bottom in Resene Stinger. Sofa from nood. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.  

We get it, yellow isn’t everyone’s top choice when it comes to interiors. But, when softer variations of this sunny hue are used in a tonal scheme, like in this lounge, it transforms the colour into a lively, liveable neutral. Choose a soft, buttery shade on walls, and explore other strengths and shades in décor such as mustard and golden yellows. Don’t be afraid to add pops of another complementary colour in your design too, like bright reds like we have in this room, pastoral greens or deep navy blues. Other near neutral yellows you can try are Resene Half Gin Fizz, Resene Half Scotch MistResene China Ivory and Resene Moon Glow 

 

Subtly sunny 

 
In this dreamy room, the walls are painted in Resene Corn Field, floor in Resene Bianca, bedhead in Resene Sauvignon, bedside table in Resene Paris Daisy and Resene Sauvignon, vase in Resene Pattens Blue, arches in Resene Havelock Blue and Resene Waikawa Grey, basket in Resene Havelock Blue and lightshade in Resene Pale Prim and Resene Paris Daisy. Rug, throw and pillows from Adairs, linen from George Street Linen. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.  

If you can't jump into a statement yellow, rest assured there is an array of barely-there, gentle hues in this colour family for you. Even the most subtle yellows still offer a sunny sensibility in their pale nature. And going light doesn't mean you can't get playful and fun!  

Yellow also might seem to some like a difficult colour to work with, but it sets the scene for other complementary hues, like in this bedroom where it is combined with blues and oranges. Have a go at using some subtle yellows, like Resene Oasis, Resene Gin Fizz, Resene Shalimar and Resene Moonbeam 

Warm and toasty 

 
This bedroom draws you in with its golden yellows, both calming and enlivening. The front wall is painted Resene Daylight, inside arch and back wall Resene Liquid Gold and side table in Resene Off The Grid. Linen from George Street Linen, books and nightlight from Little Whimsy. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.   

If you’re looking for something a little more ‘golden sunset’ then shades like Resene Casablanca, Resene Tulip Tree, Resene Buttercup and Resene Fuel Yellow might be just for you. Try these hues in a kitchen or dining space to uplift the mood and inspire conversation, or in a bedroom to create a cosy, joyful space. These darker shades of yellow work great with earthy, olive greens like Resene Woodland and Resene Kelp, and off whites like Resene Villa White and Resene Quarter Solitaire 

 

 When using yellow in your home, it is important to consider the balance with other colours and elements in your room to create a cohesive and harmonious look. Whether you choose to go all-out with yellow or use it as an accent colour, incorporating this sunny shade into your home can help to brighten up your day and bring a sense of joy to your space. 

Top tip: Yellows used inside will intensify if you use them on all the walls in a room. If you plan to paint all the walls, paint your yellow onto A2 card using a Resene testpot leaving an unpainted border around the edge.  Remember to apply two coats.  Once dry, roll the cardboard into a cylinder with the colour on the inside.  Look down into the cylinder and you will get an idea of how it will look with yellow on all walls.  If in doubt choose a lighter yellow and save bold yellows for smaller accents. 

Join thousands of others supporting Daffodil Day on Friday 25th August. Together we can make a significant impact on the lives of New Zealanders affected by cancer. Visit https://daffodilday.org.nz/.

 

Published: 15 Aug 2024

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Energy Yellow

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Resene Half Resolution Blue

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Resene Eighth Pearl Lusta

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Resene Paris Daisy

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Resene Mellow Yellow

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Resene Blank Canvas

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Resene Double Spanish White

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Resene Half Gin Fizz

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Resene China Ivory

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Resene Pattens Blue

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Resene Havelock Blue

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Resene Liquid Gold

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Resene Fuel Yellow

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Resene Villa White

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Resene Quarter Solitaire

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