10 Ideas for Decorating With Mustard Tones
See how deliciously rich and fresh these yellows can be in living and sleeping spaces
Even if you think you’re too mellow for yellow, you may be tempted by these 10 ideas for decorating your living space with mustard, ocher and similar zingy hues.
2. Paint a Statement Piece
Upcycling a piece of furniture can be a fun way to experiment with stronger paint colors than you might usually choose, and this mustard armoire is a wonderful example of how the fun shade can bring new life to a dark wooden piece.
If you want to upcycle something similar yourself but are short on time, look for chalk-based paints that can be used directly on wooden furniture without too much prep. Or find a furniture refinisher in the Houzz pro directory.
Upcycling a piece of furniture can be a fun way to experiment with stronger paint colors than you might usually choose, and this mustard armoire is a wonderful example of how the fun shade can bring new life to a dark wooden piece.
If you want to upcycle something similar yourself but are short on time, look for chalk-based paints that can be used directly on wooden furniture without too much prep. Or find a furniture refinisher in the Houzz pro directory.
3. Pair Mustard With Gold
The mustard velvet pillows in this living room by Into Interior Design subtly reference the warm gold accessories that bring life and character to this contemporary design. The similarly toned floor lamp, picture frame, book and pillows create a visually pleasing composition.
To get a similar look, think in groups of three or five, and pair mustard accessories with brass or gold for a design that feels pulled together but not too matchy-matchy.
Find brass and gold floor lamps in the Houzz Shop
The mustard velvet pillows in this living room by Into Interior Design subtly reference the warm gold accessories that bring life and character to this contemporary design. The similarly toned floor lamp, picture frame, book and pillows create a visually pleasing composition.
To get a similar look, think in groups of three or five, and pair mustard accessories with brass or gold for a design that feels pulled together but not too matchy-matchy.
Find brass and gold floor lamps in the Houzz Shop
4. Enhance the Natural Light
Although mustard tones are softer than their citrus-yellow cousins, they can have an equally cheery effect when paired with crisp white, as they do in this bedroom by Woodford Architecture and Interiors. In fact, mustard can feel cozier than bright yellow since it contains a little warm red.
Add mustard accessories to rooms that already have plenty of natural light to enhance the effect, and keep all other decorations bright.
Shop for yellow throws on Houzz
Although mustard tones are softer than their citrus-yellow cousins, they can have an equally cheery effect when paired with crisp white, as they do in this bedroom by Woodford Architecture and Interiors. In fact, mustard can feel cozier than bright yellow since it contains a little warm red.
Add mustard accessories to rooms that already have plenty of natural light to enhance the effect, and keep all other decorations bright.
Shop for yellow throws on Houzz
5. Energize a Child’s Room
Mustard yellow is an invigorating shade, so it’s the perfect color to give a playroom a fresh and happy feel. This mustard velvet sofa is cozy and inviting, and the clean lines and gently curved shape allow the color to shine against the crisp white walls.
Browse yellow velvet sofas and sectionals
Mustard yellow is an invigorating shade, so it’s the perfect color to give a playroom a fresh and happy feel. This mustard velvet sofa is cozy and inviting, and the clean lines and gently curved shape allow the color to shine against the crisp white walls.
Browse yellow velvet sofas and sectionals
6. Warm Up Gray
Although gray is popular, it can be a difficult color to get right in north-facing rooms or where light levels are low. Mustard-colored accessories warm up this soft gray bedroom. By choosing a rich ocher shade and tactile materials for the pillows and throw, the designers elevated the bedroom into a comfy retreat.
Although gray is popular, it can be a difficult color to get right in north-facing rooms or where light levels are low. Mustard-colored accessories warm up this soft gray bedroom. By choosing a rich ocher shade and tactile materials for the pillows and throw, the designers elevated the bedroom into a comfy retreat.
7. Break Up a Neutral Scheme
Take the mustard-toned accessories out of this living room by Woodford Architecture and Interiors, and you have a nice neutral scheme. Keep them in, and you have a room with soul. The character attained by just two simple accessories — the pillow and the lamp — really demonstrates the power of this sunny shade.
To create this look at home, search for oversize pillows (a single giant one has more impact than a scattering of small ones) and a vintage-style, powder-coated lamp to create a modern rustic look.
Take the mustard-toned accessories out of this living room by Woodford Architecture and Interiors, and you have a nice neutral scheme. Keep them in, and you have a room with soul. The character attained by just two simple accessories — the pillow and the lamp — really demonstrates the power of this sunny shade.
To create this look at home, search for oversize pillows (a single giant one has more impact than a scattering of small ones) and a vintage-style, powder-coated lamp to create a modern rustic look.
8. Add an Unexpected Element
It takes courage to paint a prominent piece of furniture mustard yellow, but the gamble by HollandGreen pays off in this room, bringing character, fun and warmth to the large space.
Kitchens can sometimes run the risk of feeling cold, especially when they have stone flooring and exposed brick walls, but bringing in the yellow island creates a warm and inviting farmhouse feel.
It takes courage to paint a prominent piece of furniture mustard yellow, but the gamble by HollandGreen pays off in this room, bringing character, fun and warmth to the large space.
Kitchens can sometimes run the risk of feeling cold, especially when they have stone flooring and exposed brick walls, but bringing in the yellow island creates a warm and inviting farmhouse feel.
9. Showcase a Backsplash
Another way to bring warmth into a kitchen is to choose a mustard tone, like this Cherished Gold from Dulux, for your backsplash. For an area that’s not in danger of getting splattered frequently, a coat of paint will quickly do the trick.
Alternatively, try a ribbon of mustard-colored tiles or back-painted glass to add warmth behind a sink or range.
Find a kitchen designer in the Houzz pro directory
Another way to bring warmth into a kitchen is to choose a mustard tone, like this Cherished Gold from Dulux, for your backsplash. For an area that’s not in danger of getting splattered frequently, a coat of paint will quickly do the trick.
Alternatively, try a ribbon of mustard-colored tiles or back-painted glass to add warmth behind a sink or range.
Find a kitchen designer in the Houzz pro directory
10. Go Big in a Bedroom
An obvious way to decorate with mustard in a bedroom is to bring in small accessories to update a neutral-colored bed. But these homeowners flipped that idea on its head by choosing a mustard-colored bed frame and accessorizing it with neutral bed linen and pillows instead.
Choose upholstered bed frames in tactile velvet or linen to re-create this look, and keep the rest of your room calm and clutter-free to allow the bed to shine.
Tell us: How do you decorate with mustard yellow? Let us know in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about working with yellow
Find an interior designer to help with your palette
Shop for bedding
An obvious way to decorate with mustard in a bedroom is to bring in small accessories to update a neutral-colored bed. But these homeowners flipped that idea on its head by choosing a mustard-colored bed frame and accessorizing it with neutral bed linen and pillows instead.
Choose upholstered bed frames in tactile velvet or linen to re-create this look, and keep the rest of your room calm and clutter-free to allow the bed to shine.
Tell us: How do you decorate with mustard yellow? Let us know in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about working with yellow
Find an interior designer to help with your palette
Shop for bedding
Some people shrink away from decorating with yellow for fear of winding up with a design that’s too bright, but mustard tones can give a room a surprisingly soft and natural feel.
This mustard-colored sofa looks right at home set against an earthy backdrop of mushroom, cream and taupe.
To get the quietly rustic vibe of this project by Léo le Pirate, combine mustard with natural textures and plenty of wood, and keep patterns and fuss to a minimum.