Evoking bright, sunny days, yellow is an uplifting colour that will spread cheer across your kitchen and boost your own energy. Its glow will brighten a small room and make it feel larger, and the warm undertones work wonders with both rustic farmhouse kitchens and industrial, concrete-grey schemes.
Is yellow a good colour for a kitchen?
Yes, it's the perfect palette to wake you up over your breakfast or a convivial glow when guests visit. Whether you're looking for a vivid hue or a more mellow yellow, there are plenty of options for yellow kitchens to help you create a space that’s entirely your own.
Consider the vibe you want to create in your kitchen – are you after a modern, sleek design or something more traditional and timeless? Do you want a bright scheme in Pantone's 2021 Colour of the Year, Illuminating, or something more muted in a gentle pastel tone? Bear in mind your existing units if you're looking to simply update the walls and splashbacks, or start from scratch with new units, appliances and flooring to make your yellow decorating efforts zing.
Go tonal in your kitchen by choosing a bright shade for your walls, then paler shades on your tiling choices, accessories on open shelving and sorbet-toned appliances. Yellow's sunny rays will seem even brighter when paired with black and grey units and flooring for a joyful update in a monochrome or industrial scheme.
Love yellow and can't get enough of it? Then check out our favourite yellow bathroom ideas and yellow bedroom ideas - we even have our favourite yellow sofas
Yellow kitchen ideas
Illuminate your walls with yellow
Chop vegetables, fry meals or do the dishes against a sunshine-yellow backdrop by updating your splashback.
Add a sunny glow whatever the forecast with honey-toned tiles – the elongated, narrow shape will make the wall look wider. Choose a reflective or glossy finish on the tiles to enhance the bright glow of the yellow. In the picture above copper and brass kitchen accessories look great against the yellow backdrop
Sweeten a grey or neutral scheme with a buttery shade of yellow, which will add warmth to concrete and off-white rooms. Trailing ivy and strings of pearls on open shelving or large Swiss cheese plants and fiddle figs on the floor will add natural texture and freshness to further soften the scheme.
Warm up a room with a mid-toned yellow to keep early morning chills at bay. Boost the warming effect with mid-toned wood and worn leather details.
Open the door to yellow kitchen units
Give tired or dated kitchen units a facelift with a rejuvenating shade of yellow. Choose Shaker-style doors in a cottage or period home, or go for a sleek, handleless design in a modern new-build. Here's some advice on how to paint kitchen cabinets
Get the heritage look with Shaker-style cabinetry, brass handles and a Belfast sink – ochre and deep mustard tones are reminiscent of an evening sunset and bring luxurious warmth to the scheme.
Bring a retro feel to a loft apartment or industrial kitchen with glossy yellow units. Choose a reflective surface to bounce light around the space, and a punchy shade of yellow to make black accessories really stand out.
Colour drench your walls and woodwork in sunshine with a glorious shade of yellow. A more budget-friendly option than replacing the unit doors, simply sand off any existing paint, prime the surface then coat with a wood paint. Leave to fully dry before using for a pristine finish.
We loved 2022 Interior Design Masters' winner Banjo Beale's yellow kitchen, which he designed in one episode, which worked perfectly against the green walls for a quirky yet very cool look.
Add a pop of fun with yellow accessories
If you're not quite ready to commit to yellow walls and cabinets, why not inject a dash of sunny yellow with accessories, appliances and dinnerware.
Match your appliances to your walls for a pulled-together look, or position a honey-hued radiator against a yellow or grey wall for a splash of sunshine.
Refrigerate your food in retro style with a statement fridge. You'll be sure to make a beeline to this marigold-toned appliance when the midnight munchies call!
Check out our favourite retro fridge-freezers
Bake in style with a radiant cake mixer that can take pride of place on your countertop, too. Packed with style and substance, this curved cake mixer comes with plenty of power and a host of accessories to make your Great British Bake Off dreams come true.
Cheer up your tablescape with a deep ochre shade that will shine against crisp white napkins and table linen and a warm wood dining table.
String a trio of bright yellow pendants above your central island or dinner table for a ray of sunshine whatever the weather outside. Use a warm white bulb to accentuate the sunny glow.
Add a slice of fun to your open shelving or morning coffee routine with this zingy lemon-inspired mug. From daisies and buttercups to hearts or birds, pick out your favourite motifs in yellow to establish your personality and this mood-boosting shade in the space.
Swap out plain bar stools for a colourful pair of seats to brighten your breakfast bar. Available in 13 colours, you can mix and match for an eclectic-vintage look or commit to one shade for a zesty accent colour in your kitchen.
Looking for more inspiration for your kitchen?
Check out these colourful and textural guides:
