Drew Barrymore uses this unexpected accessory to bring cheer to her pot rack – color experts say the small piece has a big impact

For some, a trip to the hardware store is a chore. For others, including Drew Barrymore, perusing the aisles of screws, paint cans, and gardening tools is the ideal afternoon. Her positive attitude translates to her purchases in the form of a sunshine shade.

Showing us her Home Depot shopping cart, the actor and Drew Barrymore Show host revealed the plans behind some of her buys. 'I'm going to makeshift a curtain rod into a pot rack, and I ordered yellow S hooks that are going to be so cheerful for it.'

Decorating with yellow (or, at least, the right amount of yellow) has always been fashionable, but this year, it's arguably more sought-after than ever. Tapping into trends like dopamine decor, yellow, while certainly bright and cheerful, is actually quite a nuanced and versatile shade to add to the home. 'Butter yellow,' specifically, is topping design forecasts for the rest of summer, with Google search trends for ‘butter yellow wall paint’ currently up by 133%.

Opting for yellow kitchen walls or cabinets is one way to tap into this color trend; however, we can also do it more subtly with accessories, including small pieces like Barrymore's hooks.

Despite being more of an accent, these S hooks offer an accessible way to bring the color of the moment into the kitchen. However, if we're feeling bold and bright, we can use the color in more excess. And why not when its benefits go beyond its aesthetic?

Yellow shade preference is entirely personal. While some with neutral spaces may be tempted to opt for a more muted yellow shade, like mustard or ochre, experts say that more vibrant hues can provide an energetic shift in our space.

'A sunshine-yolky yellow makes us think of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting or a lovely bowl of lemons in a kitchen, giving us an instant lift of cheerfulness,' says Emma Bestley, the creative director and co-founder at YesColors. 'It's certainly attention-grabbing and often zesty, energetic, and inviting, and this color has the ability to make some real impact on a space. Because of its connection to the sun, which usually evokes a positive feeling amongst many, a sunny bright yellow will spread warmth and good feelings in a space.'

This is especially true as an accent on neutral or black pieces, such as the black curtain rod to which Barrymore is planning to attach her hooks. The yellow automatically brightens up what would normally be a practical piece of hardware in the home.

Additionally, when placed against a complementary color like blue, yellow can create a sun-drenched, Mediterranean-style atmosphere.

'To achieve a Mediterranean-inspired look, combine vibrant yellow with bold cobalt blue and crisp white,' says Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore. 'Accessorize with sculptural silhouettes, bright stripes, and checks, and introduce tactile textures such as soft linen and plush velvet to ramp up the luxe factor.'

For those interested in adding yellow to their homes, we recommend starting small with accent pieces, such as throw pillows in the living room or a vase of yellow tulips on a dining room table. However, we have also selected a light yet cheerful paint shade for anyone wanting to go forth with painting a room yellow (we think this shade would look especially nice in the kitchen). And, of course, we would take cues from Barrymore with her brilliant yellow S hook idea.

Yellow-hued accessories are the perfect way to get behind the trend without having to go too bold in our decorating choices. However, in spaces beyond the kitchen, we also suggest looking for wallpaper with a neutral base color and yellow prints (perhaps through flowers) that similarly tap into the look without feeling too overwhelming. We imagine it's something Barrymore would approve of, after all.