In case you missed it, butter yellow is predicted to be one of this year's biggest colors – a bold but controversial choice. While it certainly split opinions, butter yellow kitchens are the emerging trend designers can't get enough of.
Yellow kitchens are nothing new – they're widely considered a great color for traditional and farmhouse designs – but this emerging kitchen color trend offers a new take on this primary color.
It's softer, more versatile, and pairs beautifully with the most coveted kitchen features. Not yet convinced? We've curated an edit of our favorite butter yellow kitchens that prove how stylish this emerging hue can be.
7 butter yellow kitchens that showcase spring's biggest color trend
From small accent details to a color drenched scheme, butter yellow kitchens are having a moment. Adding warmth, color, and a light, airy atmosphere, these spaces will have you considering this unexpected kitchen color this year.
1. Add accents of butter yellow
If you're new to colorful kitchen ideas, covering your entire space with a butter yellow hue probably feels a bit too adventurous. But the beauty of this color is that it pairs perfectly with plenty of other shades and finishes.
'If you’re not ready to fully commit to butter yellow cabinets, start small – consider table linens, window coverings, a standout appliance, or even moldings and trim,' suggests Kyla Bidgood, creative director at Bidgood.
'To maintain balance, we recommend grounding this light hue with a complementary color or material, such as warm woods or a rich contrasting color. These touches would introduce that same cheerful, timeless feel without oversaturating the space.'
2. Pair neutral wall tiles with butter yellow cabinets
One of the main appeals of butter yellow kitchens is the brighter, airy atmosphere they create. So, to keep your scheme feeling fresh and light, consider pairing it with complimentary neutral hues and natural materials.
'As the heart of the home, where we cook, gather, and unwind, the kitchen should feel balanced and functional. Butter yellow is perfect for cabinetry, bringing warmth and softness to the space. To keep things harmonious, you could balance it with neutral walls or tiles, but don’t be afraid to mix things up,' says interior designer Lucinda Kellaway.
'Layer in natural textures like wood and marble for depth and character, and keep in mind that not all cabinetry needs to match! If you’re just looking to add a touch of color, try a soft linen curtain or handmade tile – this shade pairs beautifully with deep burgundy or earthy green.'
3. Mix butter yellow and deep burgundy for a contrasting scheme
For more of a statement design and a dose of on-trend color, butter yellow looks particularly striking paired with darker, moodier tones like burgundy, one of this year's other popular colors.
It's a daring color combination, but the overall look is warm, rich, and oh-so-striking. In this kitchen, butter yellow cabinetry sits along an off-white colored wall, while the island becomes a statement feature with its burgundy hue.
The reason this scheme is so successful is that these brighter, bolder hues have been balanced by a more minimal white marble countertop and white subway tiles on the wall. It's rich with color without feeling overwhelming.
4. Introduce creamy buttery yellow cabinets with natural wood tones
While butter yellow is a color that works in a variety of kitchen styles, it works particularly well in more traditional designs. It pairs so beautifully with natural wood tones, especially a wooden kitchen island or freestanding table for a more classic scheme.
'We love a butter yellow kitchen because it feels unexpected yet so familiar. This hue feels bright yet not at all stark the way some white kitchens can get,' says Hannah Armstrong, designer at Amanda Louise Interiors.
'Cabinetry is our preferred way to introduce the color to a kitchen – it pairs beautifully with both wood tones and warm whites,' she adds. This space pairs butter yellow and wood tones beautifully – it feels bright, inviting, and timeless.
5. Drench a kitchen in butter yellow
If you're ready to infuse your kitchen with plenty of mood-lifting colors, butter yellow is the perfect choice. It's light and airy so it won't feel too bold, but it will feel warm and full of personality.
'Who doesn’t love the feeling of a sun-drenched room? With a butter yellow kitchen, it’s like you’ve bottled up sunshine even on a cloudy day. It brings up feelings of warmth, happiness, and cake batter. What could be better,' says Esther Ellmore, creative specialist at Ellmore Design.
'But what I loved most about including this color in a recent Victorian character home renovation was that it also felt elevated, chic, and minimal. Yes it’s yellow but it’s not alienating and too bold, it draws you in, picks you, and leaves you wanting more – for a space we frequent so often that’s an important quality,' she explains.
'For us, it was a drenching. It was the cabinets and the unique trim work around the room. We anchored it with a checkered marble floor, petite brass hardware that felt like jewelry, and the most delicate white marble counters with decorative beveled edges.'
6. Create a traditional kitchen with butter yellow
Butter yellow is an elevated color choice for more traditional kitchens. It has a sort of timeless appeal that you don't get with other variations of yellow, and it pairs beautifully with classic kitchen materials.
'Yellow is one of those colors that is never really in or out of fashion. You see kitchens from every decade in yellow, which for us makes it a very special and appealing option. There’s something to be said for going for an unfashionable color, it has an air of uniqueness and individuality,' says Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens.
'If you are feeling less brave and like a classic look, then butter yellow walls would be a good starting point, maybe with soft yellowy cream cupboards and wooden countertops for an understated and soft look. Many Victorians used yellows with whites and creams, terracotta floors, and dark wooden countertops, which has an authentic understairs feel.'
7. Frame a range cooker with butter yellow
A two-tone kitchen is a great way to add visual interest to your design. While the most common approach is to paint the upper and lower cabinets in contrasting colors, there's no reason you can't do something a bit different.
This kitchen is a perfect example. A classic range cooker has been framed by butter yellow hues, from the lower cabinets on each side to the dresser-style upper cabinetry that frames the area.
'Our new kitchen in the Art Nouveau concept is yellow and called SOL (sun in English) because it brings you a happy feeling. In combination with our dark white color Cumulus, it's absolutely gorgeous and likable,' explains a spokesperson at Kvanum kok, who designed this butter yellow kitchen.
FAQs
What color is butter yellow?
Unlike many other tones of this primary color, butter yellow is much softer and creamier. Rather than being a vibrant, adventurous shade, it adds a calming atmosphere that works in spaces large and small.
'Butter yellow is a soft, creamy hue that instantly brings warmth and comfort to a kitchen. It was a popular color in the 1950s – alongside pinks, blues, and teals – when homes were all about comfort and leisure,' explains Kyla.
'That nostalgic touch makes it feel cozy and inviting, but it’s not just about the retro charm. There’s something about the pale, sunny tone that feels uplifting and timeless, making it a wonderful feel-good color.'
What kitchen styles does butter yellow suit best?
The more pared-back, softer finish of butter yellow makes it a truly versatile shade. It looks as beautiful in a farmhouse kitchen as it does in a minimalist scheme or even a classic Victorian space. It's timeless rather than dated, warm and characterful rather than vibrant and colorful.
'Butter yellow has a certain magic – it’s sunny, uplifting, and effortlessly timeless. This warm yet mellow tone can brighten a space without feeling overpowering, creating a welcoming and cozy atmosphere,' explains Lucinda.
'Its nostalgic charm often lends itself to heritage design but can feel surprisingly fresh and contemporary when styled thoughtfully, making it a versatile choice for both classic and modern kitchens.'
Butter yellow kitchens are here to stay, offering a softer, warmer shade of this controversial color. These designs prove you don't have to go all in with a color drenched kitchen if you don't want to. Small accents like a corner shelf, an island, or even a butter yellow KitchenAid can add so much character to our space.
