What Color Goes With Yellow? – The Best Color Combination for Yellow

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Yellow may not be the first choice you jump to when deciding on a color scheme for your home. However, it is a wonderfully happy and warm color to bring into a color scheme. You do not have to go all out and paint an entire room with yellow, rather start by adding simple pops of color through accents like pillows or chairs. Discovering the colors that go with yellow can also go a long way in helping create a harmonious color palette that can be used in a room in the home. 

Color Combinations and Yellow

Yellow is a bright and bold primary color that cannot be formed by combining any other color, along with red and blue. There are many shades of yellow, some brighter and other lighter yellow hues. All of these colors, from your primary colors to your secondary, tertiary, and all color in-between, can be seen on a color wheel. This is a tool you can use to find the best color combinations more easily.

Yellow is considered a happy and warm color that is full of energy. The color has a certain boldness, positivity, and is considered uplifting. However, too much color can cause irritation and aggression. So, it does not fall amongst any of the calming and relaxing hues. When working with yellow and determining what color goes with yellow, you need to decide what you want to achieve.

Do you wish to pair yellow with cooler blues and greens, or do want to spice things up a bit more by tapping into its warmer qualities and pairing it with warm browns, orange, and even red hues?

Whatever you decide, you might want to have a clearer understanding of the best color combination for yellow. To do this, we must look at the various types of color combinations available. Again, the color wheel is the perfect tool for this. Let us take a look at some of the types of color combinations you can get.

Monochromatic Colors That Go With Yellow

This is a simple color combination that you cannot go wrong with. This color combination uses a single color, in this case, yellow. When creating a color scheme, you will then use various tints and shades of yellow color. This creates a more balanced look without too much contrast involved.

Analogous Colors That Go With Yellow

Analogous colors are positioned adjacent to one another on the color wheel. You will choose your yellow color and the two colors, one on either side of your base color, will form an analogous color scheme. Of course, you can include more colors on each side.

On your basic color wheel, these two colors would be orange-yellow and yellow-green, on either side of your base yellow color.

Complementary Colors That Go With Yellow

These colors can be found opposite one another when looking at a color wheel. So, if you find yellow on the color wheel, you then move directly opposite to find your complementary color. In this case, the yellow complementary color will be purple, blue, or violet.

Split Complementary Colors That Go With Yellow

As with all types of complementary colors, these form a high contrast. To find split complementary colors, choose your base yellow color and find your complementary color.

The two colors that are located on each side of your complementary color will form your split complementary colors.

Triadic Yellow Colors

As the name suggests, this involved three colors that form a triangle with equal sides when looking at your color wheel. Again, you take your yellow base color and measure out your equilateral triangle to determine your other two colors. Of course, the colors will differ slightly according to the shade of yellow you choose.

Tetradic Yellow Colors

The more colors that get involved in a color scheme, the more difficult it becomes to balance everything, especially if there are many contrasting colors. When it comes to this color scheme, there are square and rectangular tetradic color scheme options. The square involves an even layout of colors, while the rectangular tetradic colors are also known as your double complementary colors.

This means you have two pairs of complementary colors to work with.

What Color Goes With Yellow?

Yellow is a lively and sunny color that seeks your attention. Yellow can work wonderfully as an accent color, where it can bring in color and energy into an otherwise neutral design. Yellow is best used in smaller amounts as it can become slightly overwhelming in larger doses. As with any color, there are lots of shades and tones of yellow you can work with. You should be able to use yellow and brighten any room in the home with it.

Bring energy into every room of your home by not only painting walls and adding accents of color through items like pillows. You can also consider different patterns, which can help you to decide on a dominant color. The aim is to make sure you bring in colors that balance and harmonize. One way you can do this is by using yellow with more grounding or neutral colors like gray, white, black, and brown. Yellow can also work with a range of other colors including purple, lavender, pink, indigo, and shades of blue.

Yellow can even act as a neutral in more muted tones, for example, a soft mustard color can blend naturally into the background and can act as a contrast to more vibrant colors. Natural elements like brass and wood also work well with yellow. If you are a bit afraid to use yellow, you can simply include splashes of color in light fixtures, flowers, wall art, pillows, throws, and other fabrics, upholstery, or furniture items. If you want to choose yellow as a dominant color but not as wall paint, then selecting a particular piece of yellow furniture can achieve this for you. You can then layer the color throughout the room using pillows and other accessories.

You may also be looking for a color combination with a yellow wall, be it all four walls or an accent wall, yellow will be a fun and vibrant addition. There are many shades of yellow, and each of these will give you a slightly different feel to a room. Yellow is also gender-neutral, so you will likely find it in some nursery rooms as it adds a cheerful and calming atmosphere. Creating an accent color combination with yellow walls is also very popular. Here you can create a focus wall and match it up with other neutral colors. This way the yellow color will not overwhelm the space you are in.

Let us take a closer look at a few colors that go with yellow.

Yellow and Green

This is one best color combinations for yellow as both colors are inspired by nature. Consider adding in a few accents of color, for example, yellow flowers and green leaves, or add in a modern, yet bold yellow couch. When using green, try bringing in darker undertones, which should balance brighter yellows in a room. You can also bring in colors using different patterns and textures, for example, a mosaic wall or patterned upholstery.

Yellow and Purple

When creating a color scheme, yellow should be your base color, while purple can be brought in as a nice contrasting color with accents. Yellow and purple make great contrasting colors and using a lighter shade of purple, can help to make a room look softer as well. Including lighter shades of purple like violet and plum, also brings in a sense of luxury. Brighter shades are not the best option for interiors like a bedroom, as these colors are not the best choice for relaxing and sleeping. Although, you can bring in softer tones and include lighter blues and purples for a bedroom. Other rooms can handle more vibrant shades of purple and yellow but as accent colors.

You can either choose a bright color combination with a yellow wall or use a vibrant purple as your accent wall.

Yellow and Black

Black can be an intimidating color to include in a design, however, with yellow it is bold, yet it can also look sophisticated. To make the colors work even better, consider using a yellow that has gray undertones. This would make the color combination easier on the eyes. A popular color combination for parties and table décor seems to be your black, yellow, and gold combination of colors.

Yellow and Gray

If you do not want to go for black, gray is always a good option. Gray is a wonderful neutral color that works well with most colors. You can still have a sophisticated look by using lighter shades of yellow and darker grays. Blue-gray colors are also a popular choice amongst many. If you are not sure about adding color to your gray color scheme, you can easily add pops of yellow as accessories to see what it will look like. You can simply change the colors after a while if you want.

For a bolder choice, consider going for darker gray tones and vibrant yellows.

Yellow and White

White is a traditional color that goes with everything. Yellow and white together are perfect for smaller spaces and help to make a room seem larger than it is. These colors bring a clean, sunny, and cheerful feel to any room. White makes the perfect background, so yellow can stand out. Think yellow accessories, flowers, chairs, and even appliances. You can also include different shades of yellow with white to bring in even more dimension. Think white crisp linens with a pop of yellow decorative pillows and a throw.

Yellow and Pink

This might not be a combination you would consider, but it definitely does have an appeal. This combination goes well in a girls’ room and can add a slightly contemporary look. You can consider light shades of yellow and vibrant pinks like fuchsia, where pink will form the base color. Since these colors are eye-catching, you might want to consider using them in moderation against a more neutral white background. Experiment with the colors, you can even start small with a few accessories or accents and work your way from there.

You can be more adventurous with your color combinations, why not try adding pink with the yellow and black combination. And if the brighter pinks are too much, rather opt for pale pink and mustard, which adds a touch more sophistication to the look.

Yellow and Blue

Yellow and blue pair wonderfully together and there is an assortment of shades to choose from. Blue and yellow add a certain warmth and brightness, but it is also calming and pleasing to the eye. The best color combination for yellow is blue and can be used with all kinds of decorating styles.

Softer yellows and light blues make a great combination and add in some neutral accents to bring in more diversity and to avoid it looking too pastel or Easter egg-like. Consider blues with gray undertones in combination with a light yellow. You could also experiment with bolder colors like navy or royal blue and brighter yellows. However, these are best used as accent colors and not as your main color theme.

Yellow and Brown

As with all neutral colors, brown is quite versatile and can easily be paired with yellow. The main objective would be to keep your chosen color scheme consistent so that you create a cohesive and balanced look. You could just as easily pair yellow with white or beige. For example, a warm beige is your main color with accent colors of white and yellow. You can also match yellow colors with dark and light woods. However, try to avoid using woods that have warmer undertones, as the yellow will bring it out of the wood. You can land up with an overpowering amount of yellow.

You could also include other natural elements like cane chairs or a woven rug.

Yellow and Orange or Red Hues

Yellow, orange, and red hues are all energizing and warm, so it is best to use these in moderation. Including all these colors and doing it wrong, can become easily overwhelming. Red and yellow is seen as a classic combination and works well in period-type rooms but can also fit in a more traditional room.

Not all colors are as bright and happy as the color yellow. This warm color embodies cheerfulness, optimism, and hope, and is a wonderful addition to any color scheme. Not only is it a positive color, but many colors go with yellow, so you can create the perfect look for any room.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Best Color Combination for Yellow?

Many colors go with yellow from orange to green and shades of blue. Yellow also works well with white, black, and other neutral colors. An ideal combination would be to choose two shades of yellow as accent colors and then include a darker neutral with a little white.

Can You Create a Red and Yellow Interior Design Palette?

Yes, yellow, and red, as well as orange, can work together. Make sure the colors have a similar saturation for best results. For example, if you decide on a pastel yellow, this will work better if it is paired with pink instead of red.

What Is a Yellow Complementary Color?

Complementary colors are great for creating high contrast looks. These colors can be identified by finding your yellow color and then looking opposite it on the color wheel. Purple would be your complementary color; however, you could also use the blues and violet colors.

What Is a Good Color Combination With Yellow Walls?

As we have learned, yellow goes well with many colors including green, orange, pink, brown, white, and blue. Lighter shades of yellow can be used as a neutral color and then bring in some color using various accessories as accents. You could also choose a more vibrant yellow as an accent wall, combined with neutral shades and colors.