Colour does not need to be a scary thing — even in small spaces. When used with consideration (and, perhaps, in moderation) it can be a total game-changer, transforming the entire mood and feel of a space. Yellow is a colour that you may or may not want to wear on your clothes, but when used properly in design it is almost bound to infuse any home with a feeling of vibrancy and warmth.
Below, we’ve gathered a few of our favourite examples of yellow accents from across our Never Too Small features.
Pops of Colour
Olga Bondar, the designer of this Kyiv apartment, cleverly scattered yellow (and pink and blue) accents throughout the space in unexpected places like one floating shelf, the entryway stool, and the interior of a window frame. The result? Warmth, harmony, and flow. “We shouldn’t be afraid of dark or light colours in small interiors”, Bondar told Never Too Small. “As a designer, it is my job to find the right shade that will suit the space, so we have the freedom to experiment with colours”.
Of a similar vein is the use of yellow in this Paris apartment, which uses yellow in some in-between spaces like the archway and the small study by the stairs.
Yellow Accent Rooms
The bathroom in this carpenter workshop-turned-apartment is yellow from top to bottom. Danish designer Nina Tolstrup from Studiomama (also featured in our Wonderful Waste series) elected to use a single yellow hue from floor to ceiling to add a playful contrast to the more calmer design of the rest of the home.
Taking this same idea to a new extreme is Zyva Studio’s architect Anthony Authié and his wife Adele, who transformed their bedroom loft in their maximalist Paris apartment into an all-yellow retreat – that is, unless you open the fire-patterned curtains.
One-of-a-kind Design
Inspired by the vibrant colours and geometric lines of Italian homes in the 1960s, Gonzalo Pardo and the team at gon architects relied on the power of yellow to give this Madrid apartment a bright, carefree feel. The rich yellow used across the clever floor-to-ceiling storage unit as well as in the tiles, furniture, and décor adds continuity within the design while also making it truly one-of-a-kind.
Making the Most of the Mundane
How better to motivate yourself to do laundry than with the happiness of yellow? At first glance, this minimalist apartment in Sydney seems to take neutral, earthy tones as its palette. But one step into the bathroom tells us otherwise. Splashed across the entire shelving and cabinetry of the laundry area is a bright yellow colour to add a sense of playfulness to the space and distinguish it from the rest of the white-tiled bathroom.
Yellow on Demand
It’s possible that you’re still on the fence about yellow, so you might want to take a page out of the book of this micro Melbourne apartment. To accommodate the many uses of this space, architect Nicholas Agius added a hybridised door that disguises the kitchen — not to mention its yellow accent — when closed. This is a perfect way to limit your daily dose of yellow while still getting all the benefits that come with adding the colour.
Using Yellow in Interior Design
Successfully incorporating yellow accents into design requires a delicate balance. By harnessing the vibrant energy of yellow, designers can create spaces and visuals that not only captivate the eye but also uplift the spirit with a playful and cheerful charm.
