Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Yellow From the Great Outdoors

From the pure joy of summer sunlight to the rich saffron hue of a Buddhist monk’s robes, yellow is a color that cheers the heart. And it’s endless in variety, from the deliciously subtle (butter, honey, straw) to the unapologetically bold (lemon, papaya, mustard). Let’s discover yellow through the lens of nature.

Yellow in nature. From the creamy yellow of English roses, freshly churned butter, straw and honey to bright lemons and sunshine, to the rich hue of mustard flowers, mango, curry, saffron and gold, yellow can be subtle, bold or anything in between. Connoting cheerfulness, optimism and intelligence, yellow is the color to use when you want a dash of positivity in your life.


Bright, clear yellow. The color of gingko and aspen trees in fall and the intense glow of the sun, bright yellow is a color that makes you sit up and take notice — it’s no wonder it’s the top choice for school buses and safety vehicles.



Using bright yellow. Bright, clear yellow is like sunlight — strong and uplifting. Kitchens and other spaces you use first thing in the morning are a natural place to try bright yellow, as it will have a cheering effect. In the kitchen shown here, yellow cabinets pop even more thanks to matching yellow trim.



Use a little; use a lot. Yellow is bold, vibrant and intense. To get an idea of how much yellow you would be comfortable living with, consider which you would prefer — an English rose garden with lush green paths dotted with big yellow flowers, or a trail lined with blazing yellow aspen trees? For some, being surrounded by bright yellow feels invigorating; for others, it may just be too much. Test the waters by adding a punch of bright yellow in a cushion, or even a vase of flowers, before committing to a wall color.



Yellow and pink. Peer into any pink flower, and you are likely to see a yellow center. Or watch the sunrise on the beach and notice how the pink clouds blend seamlessly with the golden early-morning sunlight — yellow and pink are natural companions in nature.


Using yellow and pink. In the home, yellow and pink make a bold pair. To keep this combo from overwhelming your room, try starting with crisp white walls and layering on the color in textiles, artwork and painted furniture.


Fall yellow. The rich, blazing hue of foliage in the fall, this warm yellow is typically seen in nature alongside rich blue or pale gray skies and the reds, oranges and greens of other trees.


Yellow and blue. This is one of the most classic decorating color combinations of all time; you really can’t go wrong with yellow and blue. When done in bright versions of the colors, as shown here, the combo calls to mind the sun against a cloudless blue sky. For a more sophisticated take, choose a dark, clear blue and pair it with lemon yellow and plenty of white.


For a softer touch, try pairing buttermilk yellow with cream, white and fresh aqua accents. This extremely livable look is ideal for soothing bedrooms and relaxing breakfast nooks.


Yellow outdoors. Rich, warm yellow works well on an outdoor accent wall, surrounded by tropical plantings. Clear, sunny yellow is also a classic choice for the front door or siding. And, of course, you can’t beat yellow tulips and daffodils for a cheerful spring garden.

Swatches: Get paint names and numbers for great yellows and oranges

Tell us: Do you like to decorate with yellow at home? What are your favorite yellow paint colors?

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