Monty Don might be better known for his backyard landscaping, but his summerhouse is equally delightful. Decorated in my choice for color of the year; butter yellow is a joyful and cheery hue that is set to be a prolific color trend for 2025.
There has been a touch of nostalgia appearing in schemes recently, and when reaching for heritage hues, there is no other color quite like butter yellow. This warm yellow is shining a spotlight on our homes this season, and it is not just for summer. I would argue we should all be using summer colors in fall and winter too. As one of the most uplifting colors – one that reminds us of our youth – it is not surprising that it is having a renaissance.
All yellows tend to be warm, however, buttery yellows can be refreshing yet also calming. They work very well with natural materials and wood tones of all kinds and can lift any pale neutral scheme, acting like an accent without shouting or popping excessively. Embraced in a big way or used in small doses, this subtly sunny shade is rich, and versatile and exudes positivity and warmth – no matter if you use it indoors or out.
Decorating with yellow, especially butter yellow, is a welcoming, joyful, energizing choice, agrees Dominic Myland of Mylands. It works well as an accent color or as the main color within the room. Rich, golden butter yellows also pair well with a range of accent colors. There aren't too many colors that this yellow doesn't go with. You could almost consider it a neutral.
I imagine that Monty Don chose this confident color to bring lots of joy and sunshine to his already sublime garden room. The yellow walls introduce positivity and work fantastically well with the salvaged timber – they bring out all the warmth.
The versatility of butter yellow makes it a favorite element in decorating schemes for interior designers. Francesca Rowan-Plowden believes it works perfectly with period features such as old brick and beams. ‘Yellow is a color that people are often scared to use, but it’s a fantastic color to really lift a space and create interest and features. It reflects all lights well and makes a sunroom or garden room feel very warm and inviting. It’s known to induce creativity and playfulness, so it’s fantastic for busy spaces, but also works well in powder rooms and mud rooms.
Shop the look
If you are not planning a full color makeover on your interior walls, why not invest in easily changeable furnishings and accessories, instead?
Decorating underfoot is always my first-port-of-call when using a bold color scheme. Arguably, rugs make the biggest difference to an overall scheme – and they are simple to change when fashions come and go.
Olive oil adorns almost every home, and a good olive oil bottle – in a cheery butter yellow – is a must to liven up any scheme. Made from glazed earthenware, you will feel instantly transported to the Mediterranean.
I have a confession to make. I change my pillow cases every season. It usually goes: red in winter, pink in spring, yellow in summer and olive green in fall. However, I am leaving my butter yellow cases on for a little longer – the color is just that delightful.
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