Interior Design
The Meaning of Colour: Yellow
What does this sunny hue mean and how do you use it to best effect?
In this series on the meaning of colour, we are looking at colour from a wide range of perspectives: design, psychology, philosophy and nature. Now we are delving into yellow. From how it’s used in the ancient art of feng shui to the way it makes us feel, let’s get to know this sunshine-y hue a little bit better.
The colour yellow in feng shui
At its heart, feng shui is about the concept of a life force or energy flow in the home. In feng shui, yellow represents the earth element, health and vitality. It is a good colour choice for the centre of the house, which is considered the health area in feng shui, or anywhere you would like to promote feelings of warmth, communication and health.
Does Your Home Need a Colour Consultant?
At its heart, feng shui is about the concept of a life force or energy flow in the home. In feng shui, yellow represents the earth element, health and vitality. It is a good colour choice for the centre of the house, which is considered the health area in feng shui, or anywhere you would like to promote feelings of warmth, communication and health.
Does Your Home Need a Colour Consultant?
The colour yellow in nature
Yellow in the great outdoors brings to mind the sun, spring daffodils, ripe lemons, and aspen and gingko leaves in the fall. It’s a sit-up-and-take-notice colour, designed to capture the attention of buzzing bees (in the case of flowers) or issue a warning (in the case of a slithering snake). Not usually seen in great swaths, as blue and green are, yellow is nature’s punctuation mark.
Yellow in the great outdoors brings to mind the sun, spring daffodils, ripe lemons, and aspen and gingko leaves in the fall. It’s a sit-up-and-take-notice colour, designed to capture the attention of buzzing bees (in the case of flowers) or issue a warning (in the case of a slithering snake). Not usually seen in great swaths, as blue and green are, yellow is nature’s punctuation mark.
Yellow and the chakras
Forms of Hinduism and Buddhism believe in energy centres in the body called chakras. The solar plexus chakra, located in the stomach area, is associated with the colour yellow. This chakra is said to represent personal power, self-confidence, self-control, self-worth and self-esteem. It’s considered a good colour choice for anywhere you would like to enhance feelings of confidence and control.
Forms of Hinduism and Buddhism believe in energy centres in the body called chakras. The solar plexus chakra, located in the stomach area, is associated with the colour yellow. This chakra is said to represent personal power, self-confidence, self-control, self-worth and self-esteem. It’s considered a good colour choice for anywhere you would like to enhance feelings of confidence and control.
Yellow in design
Yellow in the home can have an immediate cheering and lightening effect. A little goes a long way, so it can be a good choice for accent walls, cushions, and vases and other accessories. Adding a bowl full of fresh lemons is a classic decorator trick for instantly brightening a space.
Pantone’s Minion Yellow Makes us Happy
Yellow in the home can have an immediate cheering and lightening effect. A little goes a long way, so it can be a good choice for accent walls, cushions, and vases and other accessories. Adding a bowl full of fresh lemons is a classic decorator trick for instantly brightening a space.
Pantone’s Minion Yellow Makes us Happy
Using yellow at home
Yellow ranges from pale and creamy, as on the farmhouse shown here, to super-bright highlighter yellow. The shade you choose should depend on what overall style you are drawn to: traditional, farmhouse and cottage spaces work well with pale, creamy and warm golden yellows, while modern spaces (or traditional with a twist) can handle the most vibrant yellows.
Yellow ranges from pale and creamy, as on the farmhouse shown here, to super-bright highlighter yellow. The shade you choose should depend on what overall style you are drawn to: traditional, farmhouse and cottage spaces work well with pale, creamy and warm golden yellows, while modern spaces (or traditional with a twist) can handle the most vibrant yellows.
The colour yellow and you
Knowing yourself is the best way to determine which is the right yellow for you – and where to use it. For some, a buttery yellow bedroom, like the one shown here, would feel serene and welcoming; but for someone else, this hue might feel too stimulating, making it hard to wind down at night. Starting small is always a wise idea, and especially so when it comes to a bold hue like yellow – experiment with a few pillows before painting the walls.
Knowing yourself is the best way to determine which is the right yellow for you – and where to use it. For some, a buttery yellow bedroom, like the one shown here, would feel serene and welcoming; but for someone else, this hue might feel too stimulating, making it hard to wind down at night. Starting small is always a wise idea, and especially so when it comes to a bold hue like yellow – experiment with a few pillows before painting the walls.
Exploring further
Consider trying one or more of these ideas to deepen your colour awareness.
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How do you feel about the colour yellow?
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Let the Sunshine in: Enliven Your Space With Yellow
Consider trying one or more of these ideas to deepen your colour awareness.
- Decorate with yellow in a small way by placing bud vases with yellow blooms in different rooms.
- Pick up a bag of lemons and display them in a bowl on your table.
- Snap pictures of everything yellow you see for a day (or a week), then look them over. You could even put them into a small album.
- Browse a fabric store where fabrics are often organised by colour, and go to the yellow section; notice which you are most drawn to, and take some pictures if you want as a reminder.
- Visit a paint store and bring home some yellow paint swatches.
TELL US
How do you feel about the colour yellow?
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Let the Sunshine in: Enliven Your Space With Yellow
Yellow is the colour of joy, cheerfulness and mental stimulation. Bright lemon yellow is thought to be clarifying and promotes wakefulness, while golden yellows feel cozy, comforting and warm.