Trends are always interesting to watch, and lately I’ve noticed yellow—specifically a soft “butter” yellow—reappearing in home decor. It’s showing up as small accents and also as bolder statements on cabinets, walls, and textiles. I don’t usually chase trends, but I’ve always loved butter yellow, so its comeback caught my eye. Will it be a major trend this year? Maybe, but what matters most is how it feels in your home.
I’ve used butter yellow in several homes over the years—walls, curtains, even tiled bathrooms. One dining room we painted butter yellow and I adored it; two bedrooms in our English cottages were painted the same cheerful hue. My mother favored yellow in many of her homes too, and I grew up with a yellow bedroom featuring vintage wallpaper and bedding that would look very on-trend today. There’s a timeless warmth to this shade when it’s placed in the right setting.
Many classic styles and color palettes cycle in and out of favor. Right now, butter yellow and English Country aesthetics are enjoying attention again, but they were popular when I first embraced that style as well. That enduring quality is part of the appeal—but trends can still feel temporary depending on your home and tastes.
If you’re new to decorating, a quick piece of advice: it’s easy to confuse momentary enthusiasm with true personal style. When a look becomes mainstream it feels fresh and comfortable, and inspiration from influencers and stores can make it tempting to adopt the trend wholesale. But if you bring home an entire room or expensive piece simply because it’s everywhere, you may end up wanting to change it when the next trend arrives.
Classic choices and timeless styles generally endure longer than fleeting trends. Still, if you’re unsure whether a trend fits your long-term aesthetic, consider testing it in small, low-commitment ways. Paint and accessories are easier and less expensive to update than built-in or high-ticket items.
A butter yellow bedroom wall is simple to repaint later, while a costly yellow sofa or an entire yellow kitchen could feel regrettable if your tastes shift. If you love the look and are prepared to change it later, embrace it. If not, introduce the color subtly through textiles, small furnishings, or accent pieces so you can adapt easily.
If butter yellow truly resonates with you, don’t be afraid to use it. Some people find playing it safe uninspiring, and that’s okay. Decorating should bring joy and reflect your personality. The best choices balance what you love with what suits the home’s architecture, natural light, and existing finishes like wood tones and flooring.
In my own homes I’ve mixed approaches—many rooms stayed neutral with white walls while others embraced color: blues, and sometimes butter yellow where it felt right. If a room’s natural light, proportions, and fixed elements support the hue, the result is often cheerful and cohesive. If my butter yellow rooms had remained mine, I would have kept them that way indefinitely.
Mix what you love with what makes sense for your house and aim for a timeless, classic foundation. That approach keeps rooms feeling fresh for the long run. Use color to highlight features and to bring rooms into harmony with the home’s overall style.
Do you use any yellow in your decor, or have you in the past? Would you consider it now?
I discuss style and decorating further in my books and in my member community, where I share ideas and inspiration for creating homes that feel personal and well-considered.
We rounded up decor finds in many shades of yellow for today’s post, and seeing these cheerful pieces brightened a cold winter day for me. It’s definitely making me look forward to spring—enjoy!
Sources: Yellow Flower Art // Yellow Toaster (I own a cozy green version in my kitchen) // Yellow Lamp with Scalloped Shade // Yellow Floral Print Tablecloth // Yellow Floral Reversible Pillow Sham // Yellow Striped Pitcher // Yellow Planter Pot // Faux Forsythia Flowers // Floral Cloth Napkins // Yellow Honey Pot
More Yellow Decor (click each thumbnail below for details):
Do you follow me on Pinterest? I created a board of inspiration rooms that use yellow—it’s a great place to browse ideas and see how the color can be used in different settings.
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