Colour Psychology: Yellow Unmellow

When used in interiors, the colour yellow offers potent contrast and a playful aesthetic that works in tandem with spaces that crave positive energy, elevated enthusiasm, and a touch of warmth. Here's what else you should know about this sunny hue.

Meaning of the Colour Yellow

Yellow is both commandeering and energetic, and colour psychology shows that people tend to associate it with words like optimistic, bright, bold, happy, warm, friendly, and expressive. Yellow is the colour of the third chakra, known as the solar plexus or Manipura, and this chakra, sitting below the ribs but above the navel, is bursting with creative and intellectual energy. Incorporating yellow into your living space is said to help clear solar plexus blockages.

Feelings

Yellow doesn’t have as many variants as other colour groups, but the one you select will impact a room's ambience. Want a room to feel youthful and energetic? Add some sunshine yellow accents. Prefer a more earthy shade that feels more akin to nature? Mustard remains contemporary. Or perhaps you want something that feels fresh, yet calming? If bright shades of yellow make you feel anxious, a pastel hue can be soothing.

Your upbringing, culture, and memories will also play into how yellow makes you feel—for better or worse. So, if a vibrant shade of yellow makes you feel glum instead of gleeful, don’t sweat it. Move on and look for a shade that truly brings you joy.

Walls

Yellow comes with a potency that can feel abrasive if overused, so it is best to keep it to smaller areas you want to highlight such as an accent wall, a row of cupboards, or a piece of furniture. After all, even just a sliver of this powerful colour is enough to infuse a room with a burst of energy and a fresh aesthetic.

Bedroom

If you’ve just moved into a new home or perhaps you have a lot of changes going on in your life, yellow can be a great addition to your bedroom. The colour psychology behind this colour associates it with feelings of happiness and optimism, plus its governance over the third chakra is said to assist in adjusting to change. Since yellow often comes with a lot of stimulating energy, keep the additions of yellow to the bedroom minimal and think about how to incorporate yellow with small additions. This could mean putting a yellow upholstered reading chair in the corner, hanging some luxurious yellow velvet curtains, or simply swapping out your bedding for a new set with yellow roots, such our ALFIE or ZAC tones. 

Incorporating yellow into your home is a simple and potent way to encourage positive energy, creativity, and happiness.