Top 12 Yellow Paint Colors for a Sunny, Vibrant Space

Remember Coldplay’s song, “Yellow” that began, “Yellow is so warm and mellow, it makes me feel a better fellow.”

That line defines the cheerful warmth that yellow brings to an interior, whether it’s a bright sunshine color or a cozy creamy shade. Let’s explore the best yellow paint colors for your home.

The best Behr yellow paint colors are Smooth Silk, Lemon Souffle, Neon Light, and Midsummer Gold. Benjamin Moore’s best yellows include Chartreuse, Banana Cream, Sunbeam, and Yellow Marigold. Or try Sherwin-Willliams’ Honey Bees, Goldenrod, Icy Lemonade, and Daisy.

Choosing the Best Yellow Paint Colors

You may think that yellow is too vibrant a color for a peaceful interior: I urge you to reconsider. Painting a room yellow is the quickest way to update and reenergize it, regardless of your aesthetic.

Fans of yellow know that this optimistic color adds positive energy to a space. Yellow also uplifts dimly lit spaces and infuses them with light. I’d like to show you that you needn’t paint your home primary yellow to add this infusion of good vibes.

Yellow comes in a massive variety of shades, from a creamy, barely-there tint to a rich, orange-inspired sunflower hue.

Let’s look at my top picks for yellow paint colors from Behr, Benjamin Moore, and Sherwin-Williams.

Behr’s Top Yellow Paints

Many of my favorite things in the world are yellow, like roses, daisies, lemons, and amber gems. I associate yellow with happiness and believe introducing it into your home will transform it.

Behr has a wide range of yellows to uplift your interiors.

#1. Smooth Silk YL-W07

This is the yellow for the naysayers. Think of Smooth Silk as white with a yellow tinge, the buttery color of glorious raw silk.

The shade is so gentle that it’s almost a neutral and will work well with warm woods and contemporary vibes. Try it in a comfortable family kitchen or laundry room that needs brightening up.

#2. Lemon Souffle 350B-4

This delicious yellow is the color of every lemon dessert you love: lemon meringue pie, lemon tart, and, of course, lemon souffle.

Lemon Souffle has a delightful freshness, underlaid with a creamy richness (the color, not the dessert) that would make a delightful nursery, powder room, or breakfast nook.

#3. Neon Light 380B-5

Neon Light is the opposite end of the spectrum to Smooth Silk: it’s in-your-face, vibrant yellow that makes no excuses.

This is the ideal shade for a bold, bright kids’ room, filled with optimistic energy. I also love it for a kitchen filled with personality or a home office where ideas spark.

#4. Midsummer Gold P280-7

Choose Midsummer Gold to fill your living room with afternoon sunshine, whatever the weather. When your yellow tends to gold — or marigold — it becomes rich and spicy, a perfect pairing for earthy tones, including paprika, mustard, and rust.

Accessorize with bronze metallics and deep brown furniture for extra warmth.

Benjamin Moore’s Best Yellow Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore has some of the more unusual shades of yellow paint if you want to walk on the wild side, but also has old favorites like pastel yellow, butter yellow, and sunshine yellow.

Whether you want interesting or comfortable, there is a yellow paint color for you.

#5. Chartreuse 2024-10

Chartreuse is unapologetically vibrant, the vivid yellow-green of the ancient liquor of the same name. Like the beverage, it is incredibly herbaceous, almost electrifying in its intensity.

Use this color advisedly, as a little goes a long way. But when you get it right, there’s no more glorious shade.

#6. Banana Cream 275

For those who prefer a more demure yellow, try unusual Banana Cream: this color has a gray undertone which mutes the brightness.

Instead of loudness, you get soft subtlety and gentle light. Pair with white, blue, or chocolate brown in a cozy bedroom.

#7. Sunbeam 328

This rich, eggy shade is what comes to mind when I think of yellow. It’s the quintessential sunshine yellow, tending slightly to gold.

It’s gorgeous as a bright accent in an earth-tone palette and would make a fresh and cozy kitchen with crisp white cabinetry.

#8. Yellow Marigold 2155-30

I love marigolds for their cheerful brightness and spiritual symbolism: they stand for optimism, renewal, and transformation.

This orange-yellow by Benjamin Moore is one of my favorites. It’s bright and uplifting, with enormous warmth, perfect for a light-starved space.

Best Sherwin-Williams Yellow Paints

Sherwin-Williams produces some of my favorite paint colors; these yellows are no exception. Their paint colors have a gorgeous richness and depth that will fill your interiors with lush shades to make your home welcoming and inviting.

Here are my top four Sherwin-Williams yellows.

#9. Honey Bees SW 9018

This deep golden yellow — the color of warm honey — is deliciously warm and inviting. Choose Honey Bees, one of Sherwin-Williams’ best-selling yellows.

Wrap your room in pure sunshine by layering up different shades of yellow, from canary to mustard. Ground the palette with a gray rug.

#10. Goldenrod SW 6677

I keep on coming back to food images, but I can’t help that Sherwin Williams’ Goldenrod is the color of warm butter. It’s as golden as a well-cooked pancake, too.

With a delightful brown undertone, Goldenrod is a rich, lush color that goes perfectly with this season’s earth tones but also works well with neutrals like beige, taupe, and gray.

#11. Icy Lemonade SW 1667

Look, I’m really not choosing these paint colors on the basis of mouth-watering names! Icy Lemonade is on my list of recommendations because it’s soft, subdued, and makes any space feel relaxed.

This is an unusual yellow in that it has a cool, green undertone, making it extra fresh and perfect for a kitchen.

#12. Daisy SW 6910

Another Sherwin-Williams fan favorite, Daisy is inspired by a spring day. Go for this lively yellow for an unexpected splash of color in a welcoming bathroom or jewel-like powder room.

You’ll start every morning with a visual pick-me-up and reminder that you’re going to have a happy day.

Final Thoughts

Yellow is one of those timeless shades that never goes out of fashion. While earthier, more golden yellows are on-trend, you can’t go wrong with a pale butter-yellow bedroom or a sunshine-yellow kitchen. And pastel yellow is always appropriate for a nursery.

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