Love it or hate it, yellow is the interior color of 2025. Once underappreciated and even avoided by some, the sunny shade has cemented its place as a versatile and trend-forward hue, perfect anywhere from the kitchen to the living room.
When it comes to the latter, we are taking notes from style authority Anna Wintour, whose living area is painted a most buttery yellow. Acting as a neutral, the painted wall is cut by two twin, built-in bookshelves, and beautifully contrasts with an orange rug and floral sofa.
In short, yellow really is the new neutral – and design experts agree. If you’re thinking of decorating with yellow, let Anna’s space be your blueprint.
Shop the yellow living room edit
Snug Throw by Sarah Sherman Samuel
Boost the coziness of your living room sofa with this dark yellow throw. It’s also great for taking outside while dining al-fresco this spring and summer.
A traditional, but transitional design that’s perfect for your living room, this sofa features t-shaped cushions and a plush, low-profile seat that feels cozy while looking effortless. It converts to a queen-sized pull-out bed, so your guests can always sleep in style.
Warisi Square Velvet Pillow Cover
If you still want to experiment with the trend without investing in a large sofa, this pillow is a great starting point. The velvet fabric has a delicate texture and is soft and wrinkle-resistant, meaning it will look great on your sofa or accent chair for longer.
Yellow’s wide range of shades makes it incredibly easy to decorate with and customize in the home, whether you opt for the on-trend butter shade or a more robust mustard tone.
‘Yellow varies in depth and mood across a delightful spectrum, from soft, buttery pastels to deep, golden, and earthy, shouting warmth and optimism and bringing a bucket full of nostalgia to any interior,’ says Molly Freshwater, co-founder of Secret Linen Store. ‘It is a mood booster, a light-giver, and a timeless classic. Whether you color block with yellow boldly or weave it in subtly, it’s a colour that makes a house feel like a happy home.’
With that being said, lighter yellows make fail-safe color choices thanks to their neutrality and color coordination possibilities.
‘Soft, pastel yellows are a lot more versatile than you may think, and can work beautifully in a variety of different spaces,’ says Cathryn Sanders, head of creative at Earthborn.
‘Whether used as an accent color throughout the home or for a feature wall, a butter yellow instantly rejuvenates a room with warmth, while adding freshness, comfort, and energy at the same time. Layer with other pastel tones or pair with neutrals for a more subtle final look.’
We love how Anna has opted for a bold wall, but you can easily infuse yellow into your neutral living space with accessories like throw pillows or rugs. Alternatively, go bold with a yellow piece of furniture, like a sofa or accent chair.
With its ability to pair well with both bold and neutral colors and prints, yellow is sure to stand the test of time in the living room and beyond.
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