The Best Soft Yellow Paint Colors to Brighten Up Your Home

Yellow is a chameleon color. How it looks on your walls is particularly dependent on the amount of natural light in your home and the colors of other surface finishes, like floors. Testing your top picks is essential. Pale floors reflect light, brightening the color, while rich wood finishes can have a darkening effect. Have a lot of brown furniture? Go for a warm yellow. "The umber that is evident in a warmer yellow is very friendly to antiques," says designer Ann Lowengart.

Paint colors pictured:

• Buzz-In P300-6, Behr
• Lemon Twist 3006-2B, Valspar
• Citrus Punch PPG1212-5, PPG
• Cheerful SW 6903, Sherwin-Williams

With colors so delicious you could eat them, the lighter end of the pale yellow paint color spectrum tends to be for anyone looking for a color that won't overpower. "Stay really pale on the walls so the yellow gives the room more of an overall feeling than a statement," says designer Sara Gilbane.

Paint colors pictured:

• Lemonade Slush BHG605, Glidden
• Homey Cream 3007-6B, Valspar
• Honey Moth 350E-2, Behr
• Straw A22-3, Ace Hardware
• Cornmeal B12-2, Olympic

Cozy up with these shades of yellow paint drenched in a summer color palette with hints of nature. If you are planning to paint a room unfamiliar with daylight, these tones might make all the difference, according to designer Sara Tuttle. "Not all colors can warm up a room that doesn't get a ton of natural light like these yellows can," she says. But don't let its summery inspiration fool you. "Yellow is beautiful because it's seasonless," Tuttle says. "It sets the tone for a warm, cozy room."

Paint colors pictured:

• Sawdust A15-3, Olympic
• Morning Sunlight 360A-2, Behr
• Goldenrod GLY04, Glidden
• Fulfilled 15b2, True Value
• Hello Yellow! BHG611, Glidden

Go to the richer side of yellow with these maple gold hues. Golden yellows are classic, fresh, and cozy. But they're also one of the trickiest colors to get right, says New York City designer Marlaina Teich. She says to use a pillow, area rug—anything that will be in the finished room—to home in on your paint choice. If a hue doesn't coordinate with the item, move on.

Paint colors pictured:

• Sunbeam 328, Benjamin Moore
• Honey Tone 360C-3, Behr
• Maple Taffy 3004-3C, Valspar
• Egg Yolk A14-5, Olympic
• Dandy Lion BHG614, Glidden

These lively yellows look just like a spring day. From concentrated yellows to delicate ones, vibrant yellow paint colors are a visual pick-me-up, leaving you feeling happier and more creative. "Bright yellow in a tiny space feels unexpected. It surprises and delights," says Lowengart.

Paint colors pictured:

• Optimistic Yellow SW6900, Sherwin-Williams
• Sunbeam A12-3, Olympic
• Dazzling Daffodil GLY03, Glidden
• Buttery 14-5, Pratt and Lambert
• Gold Path A23-7, Ace Hardware

Consider color temperature when choosing a yellow. A shade with cool undertones feels crisp and fresh, especially when paired with whites, greens, or grays. When opting for a more saturated yellow, pair it with lighter shades to avoid overwhelming the space.

Paint colors pictured:

• Sawdust A15-3, Olympic
• Lemon Butter 3008-4B, Valspar
• Pineapple Sorbet GLY22, Glidden
• Hibiscus 2027-50, Benjamin Moore
• Casava 15-10, Pratt and Lambert

While this color scheme might not be one you typically conjure when picturing the color yellow, the yellow undertones in each of these paint colors bring a different approach to a typical yellow. Warm yellow paint colors feel cozy and comforting.

Paint colors pictured:

• Apple Cider B18-4, Olympic
• Arctic Tern NT593, Nautica at Home
• Amber 168, Benjamin Moore
• Deckled Edge RL 1044, Ralph Lauren Paint
• London Stone No. 6, Farrow & Ball

These shades of yellow have traces of warm orange within them. Pair them with vibrant teals or calm navy colors for a colorful primary or tertiary color palette. Adding one of these yellow-orange shades into a living room or office space can liven it up and boost creativity.

Paint colors pictured:

• Palomino Gold GL031, Glidden
• Daisy Dew C2-4, Dutch Boy
• Yuma B21-6, Ace Hardware
• Evening Glow A17-3, Olympic
• Sunflower SW6678, Sherwin-Williams

Yellows that look as delicious as a lemon tart easily refresh any kitchen. These soft yellow paint colors are a great addition to any room to bring in subtle color. Choose from lighter shades of yellow for a sweet nursery or powder room, or opt for something more saturated for a breakfast nook.

Paint colors pictured:

• Lemon Souffle 350B-4, Behr
• Mayapple 40YY65/427, Glidden
• Warm Summer 3008-2B, Valspar
• Lemon Twist, SW6909, Sherwin-Williams
• Collegiate Yellow IB70, Ralph Lauren

Take a risk and go to the extremes with the tried-and-true yellow-and-blue color palette. Start with pale yellow paint and run to the opposite end of the saturation spectrum with indigo blue. For an extra dose of drama, sprinkle in glossy black accents.

Paint color pictured: Monterey White HC-27, Benjamin Moore

Painting cupboards and cabinets can take a kitchen from blah to wow in a few coats of paint. Choose a fun yellow paint color and commit it to a kitchen island or piece of furniture waiting to make a statement in your home. This idea works especially well if using a neutral shade with just enough attitude.

Paint color pictured: Bee SW-6683, Sherwin-Williams

Wake up an all-white bathroom with a warm yellow hue. If you're matching a paint color to an existing feature, such as tile or an upholstered piece, resist matching colors perfectly. "It makes your room feel flat and one-dimensional," says Gilbane. "Go two shades lighter or darker."

Suggested paint color: Philadelphia Cream HC-30, Benjamin Moore

Another tip to getting the most out of your yellow paint color is moving beyond your walls and onto the ceiling. "Whenever I can, I try to put a hint of the wall color on the ceiling," Marlaina says. "It makes the room feel more complete. The color will look darker on the ceiling, so cut it by 50 percent."

Paint color pictured: Weston Flax HC-5, Benjamin Moore

Yellow on yellow on yellow! If that's your dream, mix up the strength of the hue in the pieces and textures around the room to avoid the monochromatic doldrums. Plus, if your room comes equipped with any sort of view of the outside world, your wall color choice will shine.  Yellow painted walls work best in a room with a lot of natural light, Gilbane says. Dark rooms can make yellow look dingy.

Paint color pictured: Tea Light CI-163, Valspar

Yellow and blue paint colors almost always hit a decorating homerun, especially in rooms where you start or end your day, such as a breakfast nook. Maximize this color opportunity and add in a few orange or red accents and fabrics. It'll be a primary palette you can live with for years.

Paint color pictured: Woodmont Cream 204, Benjamin Moore

Even the palest of yellows can brighten up a room. In this living room, yellow takes a step back and lets bright pastel hues shine. A crisp white on the walls might have caused the peppy hues to read as electric rather than sweet, but the slightly yellow tinge ensures the room is sunny, not stark. When looking for the right yellow, it's important to pick the right base first. Stay away from white-based yellows—they can turn out chalky and cold, Tuttle says. Her rule of thumb: Stick with ocher and brown undertones.

Suggested paint color: Reed Yellow, Pratt and Lambert