The colour yellow brightens dark spaces, evokes feelings of hope and happiness, and resembles the warm glow of sunlight. Modern interiors typically use bright shades of yellow as an accent colour in a neutral colour scheme. More relaxed shades of yellow, on the other hand, are subtle enough to take centre stage in a modern space. Create a well-balanced design by learning about colours that go with yellow.

Yellow & Grey

Introduce a yellow and grey colour scheme for a balanced palette – yellow lifts grey, while grey relaxes the bright shade. Cultivate a sophisticated aesthetic when you complement lemon yellow with stone grey. Add extra dimension when you incorporate lighter grey accents in shades like smoke gray. Pair more golden shades of yellow (think goldenrod or mustard) with dark grays (think charcoal or lead grey) to create a rich contrast.

Yellow & Black

Transform modern spaces with yellow and black colour schemes. There's something about moody black and bright yellow that adds an artful touch to a modern interior. Stick to bright, vibrant shades of yellow for the best results, as lighter shades get washed out when paired with black. Lemon and pineapple yellow look especially striking when paired with jet black or ebony, while charcoal black and mustard yellow create a refined look you didn't know you needed. Bridge the gap between black and yellow with white or light grey accents.

Yellow & White

Elevate minimalist spaces while keeping things subtle when you embrace a yellow-and-white colour palette. Create quiet interest and a relaxed vibe with daffodil yellow and creamy white. Make dark rooms come to life with bold lemon yellow and pure white accents. Bring balance to rooms with an abundance of natural light when you pair dijon yellow with cool-toned pearl or ivory to add dimension to bright white walls.

Tip: Learn more about warm-toned and cool-toned white and how to pair them in 14 Ways to Decorate With White at Home.

Yellow & Brown

Ground modern interiors with earthy shades of brown and yellow. This neutral colour that goes with yellow creates a mid-century modern vibe and brings comforting warmth to your space. Achieve a relaxed look like the one pictured above by pairing caramel browns with sandy yellows. Air on the golden side with sunny yellow and caramel brown tones. Exude rich refinement when you complement goldenrod yellow with deep chocolate brown. Blur the lines between grey and brown when you infuse shades of taupe in the same space as pale yellow. Complete the look with the addition of pale pink or rich chocolate accents.

Yellow & Blue

Echo sunlight glinting off of clear blue water with a blue and yellow colour scheme. Create a sophisticated modern interior with a rich royal blue and golden yellow palette. Make neutral spaces pop when you combine sunny yellow with teal blue accents. This pairing creates a refreshing scene reminiscent of clear blue water and warm sunny skies. Evoke feelings of relaxation with a pale blue and lemon yellow palette, which works especially well as a kitchen backsplash-cabinet combo.

Yellow & Green

Mimic energising greenery and bright sunlight with a yellow and green colour scheme. Green is one of the top colours that go with yellow because it balances it out (think yellow = happiness and vibrant energy, while green = relaxation and comfort). Together, yellow and green cultivate a space meant both for relaxation and energy, so it’s a great living room colour palette. Introduce a fresh pop of colour when you pairy zesty lemon yellow with spring green accents. Mimic deep green foliage and golden sunlight with rich emerald green and mustard yellow. Create fun contrast while keeping things light enough to blend into the background with pale yellow and mint.

Tip: Easily introduce green shades to your space with a few potted houseplants with spring or deep green leaves.

Yellow & Orange

Echo the warm hues of sunrises and sunsets when you complement yellow interiors with orange accents. Both colours represent feelings of joy, warmth and sunshine, making yellow and orange colour schemes a great choice for rooms in need of an energy boost. Pair mustard yellow with burnt orange for warm autumnal hues and fiery colour schemes. Optimise bright, sunny interiors with striking lemon yellow and tangerine orange. Aim for warmth and relaxation with light shades like pale yellow and peach orange.

Yellow & Red

Done right, colours that go with yellow can help you achieve design goals. A yellow and red colour scheme can emphasise a retro aesthetic and elevate '70s-inspired interiors to complement mid-century modern furnishings. Ease into retro design with dandelion yellow and cinnamon red. Lean towards the neutral side with a sandy yellow and cherry red colour combo. Give nods to the Bauhaus design movement when you pair bright yellow and red, and complete the primary colour-inspired look with a few blue accents.

Yellow & Pink

Not sure about a bold red-yellow pairing but still want warm colours that go with yellow? Pink is a great alternate choice. Add warmth to bedrooms with rose pink and yellow accents. Pair cool lemon yellow with a flash of hot pink to emulate joy and creativity in a home office or chef-style kitchen. Introduce a fun contrast that's both retro and bohemian with pale pink and mustard yellow – go with a mustard-coloured sofa or bedding paired with pale pink blankets and throws for the best results.

Tip: Discover more interior ideas and inspiration with:

• 5 Ways the Greige Colour Trend Will Elevate Your Home
• Refresh & Energise Your Space With These Gorgeous Green Bedroom Ideas
• Colour Trends to Try in Your Living Room, Bedroom & More