There has been a touch of nostalgia appearing in schemes recently, and when reaching for heritage hues, there is no other color quite like butter yellow. This warm yellow is shining a spotlight on our homes this summer. As one of the most uplifting colors – one that reminds us of our youth – it is not surprising that it is having a modern renaissance.
When I dug deep through the Martha Stewart archives, I knew I was in for a visual treat. The American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality was always ahead of the times, and I stopped immediately when I spotted her 1970 butter yellow kitchen – the current color trend of 2025.
Butter yellow kitchens might be dividing opinion on the Internet, but decorating with yellow is a perennial favorite of many designers and decorators. ‘Maybe intentional, maybe accidental, but these were the warm colors of my mid-1970s childhood all over again,’ says decorator Ben Pentreath.
All yellows tend to be warm, but buttery yellows can be refreshing yet also calming. They work very well with natural materials and wood tones of all kinds and can lift any pale neutral scheme, acting like an accent without shouting or popping excessively. Embraced in a big way or used in small doses, this subtly sunny shade is rich, versatile, and exudes positivity and warmth.
Yellow room ideas are a welcoming, joyful, vibrant choice, agrees Dominic Myland of Mylands. It works well as an accent color or as the main color within the room. Rich, golden butter yellows pair well with a range of other color combinations for rooms, but I think they stand strong on their own, too.
The versatility of butter yellow makes it a favorite element in decorating schemes for interior designers. Francesca Rowan-Plowden believes it works perfectly with period features such as old brick and beams. It channels the playful interiors of the sixties and seventies, when homes felt like extensions of our personality.
‘Yellow is a color that people are often scared to use, but it’s a fantastic color to really lift a space and create interest and features,' says Francesca. Martha Stewart's kitchen is a testament to that statement.
'It reflects all lights well and makes a room feel very warm and inviting. It’s known to induce creativity and playfulness, so it’s fantastic for busy spaces, such as the kitchen, but also works well in powder rooms and dining rooms.'
Shop the yellow edit
Strike a modern look with the curvaceous Zayden vase. Its classic vessel shape is fitted with oversized coil handles, fashioning the timeless silhouette with an artful edge. I love the bright warmth of the warm wheat finish.
Elegance at the table is all about elevating the simple touches. With classic silhouettes and a hand-painted rim, the design refreshes a timeless look. Designed in New York and made in Portugal, Madison Maison brings boldness of style to a fine tradition.
Join the petal preservation society with this stunning dried flower arrangement. Dried flowers are a lovely addition to a home and, unlike fresh flowers, which have a relatively short shelf life and aren’t always the best option for everyday use, these are everlasting – and are a fantastic way to infuse your kitchen with yellow with the commitment of a color change.
'Yellow is one of those colors that is never really in or out of fashion,' agrees Helen Parker, creative director at deVOL Kitchens. 'You see kitchens from every decade in yellow, which makes it a very special and appealing option. There’s something to be said for going for an 'ugly' color trend, it has an air of uniqueness and individuality.'
'Current trends show a real shift towards brighter colors with a clean-cut finish,' says Sue Kim, Director of Color Marketing for Valspar. 'When choosing a paint color, don't forget to look beyond the walls – consider the ceiling, window frames, and baseboards and how they can be brought into the scheme.'
For many, yellow is a nostalgic color. I grew up in a house with a gorgeous, soft butter yellow room. It instantly made me happy, and seeing the resurgence of the soft yet sunny hue brings back those fond memories.
