The Meaning of Color: Yellow
Find out how the sunny shade is viewed by some around the world and discover how to use it in your home
In this series on the meaning of color, we are looking at color from a wide range of perspectives: design, psychology, philosophy and nature. So far we have examined red and orange; 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 sunshiny hue a little bit better.
The color yellow and mood. Yellow is the color 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.
The color 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 color choice for the center 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.
A Crash Course in Feng Shui
A Crash Course in Feng Shui
The color 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 color, 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.
Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Yellow From the Great Outdoors
Nature’s Color Wisdom: Lessons on Yellow From the Great Outdoors
Yellow and the chakras. Forms of Hinduism and Buddhism believe in energy centers in the body called chakras. The solar plexus chakra, located in the stomach area, is associated with the color yellow. This chakra is said to represent personal power, self-confidence, self-control, self-worth and self-esteem. It’s considered a good color 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.
See how to decorate with sunny yellow
See how to decorate with sunny yellow
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.
The Joyful Exterior: Say Hello to Yellow
The Joyful Exterior: Say Hello to Yellow
The color 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.
Exploring further. Consider trying one or more of these ideas to deepen your color awareness.
More Meaning of Color: Red | Orange
See guides to using yellow in every room
- Decorate with yellow in a small way by placing bud vases with yellow blooms in different rooms.
- Pick up a bag of lemons at the market 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 or design center, where fabrics are often organized by color, 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.
More Meaning of Color: Red | Orange
See guides to using yellow in every room