Skip to main content

7 striking yellow kitchens on Instagram that prove this hue is design gold

Yellow is an ideal color for the kitchen. Here are a few ideas to help you style this bright tone

yellow kitchen cabients
10'000 Hours / Getty Images

If you’re in the mood for a kitchen redesign or remodel, you may be considering introducing a new color into the mix. While we love a crisp, white kitchen, yellow (in all of its lovely shades) is making itself known to designers and homeowners alike. A yellow kitchen is bright, sunny, and cheerful, the perfect combination for a room where everyone gathers to play, eat, and work. If you’re in love with the hue but wondering what you do with a yellow kitchen, we’ve got some ideas. If you need some inspiration, look no further than these Instagram designs to get you in the mood to transform your kitchen space.

kitchen with yellow shelf
Cavan Images / Getty Images

Is yellow good for a kitchen?

We adore the color yellow for kitchens. There are so many shades to suit your personal taste, and the hue can completely transform the look of the space. There are so many ways to incorporate yellow — from wall color to cabinets to wallpaper and everything in between. Here are a few of our favorites.

Mustard yellow cabinets

The before-and-after pictures tell it all in this kitchen remodel. The yellow color opens up the space to give it a warm, welcoming feel. The simple decor, white walls, and understated backsplash allow the color to shine on its own.

Yellow cabinets with open shelves

We love the combination of lower yellow cabinets with open, floating wood shelves above to complement the warm tones of the cabinets. Note the brass accents of the under-cabinet lighting and hardware that pair perfectly with the yellow tone being used.

cluttered cottage kitchen design with rustic beams
Andreas von Einsiedel / Getty Images

What color goes with yellow in a kitchen?

You can play other colors up or down, depending on your style. We love greens and oranges, but yellow is so versatile. If you’re wondering what color goes with yellow in a kitchen, consider pulling in navy, black, white, and other complementary yellow tones without detracting from why you introduced the yellow hue in the first place.

Yellow and gray

We love this combination of yellow walls with lighter gray cabinets. Neither color overpowers the other, and the designer added natural wood elements and warm metals to balance the look.

Using tile for accents

This kitchen design keeps things simple with bright yellow cabinets and white walls and countertops, while the backsplash adds a gorgeous royal blue accent. This kitchen doesn’t need a lot of help, but choosing a couple of simple items like a coordinating vase or bowl completes the look beautifully.

Clean, bright kitchen with seating
Anna Andersson Fotografi / Shutterstock

How do you start introducing yellow into a kitchen?

If you’re not totally sold yet on ripping out your cabinets and replacing them with all-yellow ones, start small. Doing so will help you decide if you love the color in a way that won’t break your budget. You might not like your kitchen in yellow after all, but it’s much easier to change the paint or some accents than replace all of your cabinets or backsplash.

Start small

We love this idea if you’re still playing with the color. Use decor items to play around with various shades of yellow, as this designer did with mugs and pots. If you love it, you can continue to add yellow elements or paint an accent wall.

Paint the town yellow

Paint is another easy way to introduce yellow into your space. We love this gray-on-yellow kitchen that also includes a small under-counter shelf in a sunny hue; the yellow doesn’t dominate the room, but it shines through in just the right places to create interest.

Classic yellow cottage aesthetic

This classic yellow kitchen featured by @louiseroehome on Instagram captures the beautiful synergy of cottage aesthetics with yellow kitchen designs. The English cottage aesthetic, popularized by the trendy cottagecore design style, is known for introducing pastel yellows into the interiors. This kitchen is a fantastic example of how yellow works wonders with this trendy, cozy arrangement.

The yellow tone is light and airy, giving the space a bright and uplifting feel. A quaint patterned wallpaper with patterned curtains and a classic tiled floor offers a gentle cottage aesthetic that pairs well with the room’s color palette. White accents keep the palette bright and sophisticated, while bronze metallics help modernize the space. Yellow is an excellent choice for admirers of the cottage or countryside look who want to amp up their kitchen decor without cluttering the countertops with too many knick-knacks or details.

These are just a few of the ways you can incorporate yellow into your kitchen. Remember, there are many shades of yellow, so be sure to test out different options before you finalize your choice. If you plan to repaint or replace your cabinets, bring in a large paint swatch or cabinet sample and place it on your existing cabinets so you can see how the light and your other decorations play off the color. You’ll also want to consider the bigger picture; if your kitchen opens up into your living or dining room, you don’t want to take away from their designs or contrast with them.

Yellow is an ideal color to use in a kitchen. It’s welcoming and calming, and it works well in a high-traffic room that is used for entertaining and gathering at the beginning and end of each day.

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
Kitchen remodel before & after: A few changes brighten up this space
Check out this Redditor's very own kitchen remodel
Father and daughter cooking in front of pvc kitchen cabinets

Doing a kitchen renovation can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are tackling it yourself and not hiring a contractor. But since the kitchen is where most of us congregate to cook, eat, work, and entertain, it's one room that deserves to look and feel bright and warm. If you've not spent any time on Reddit, it's a great place to go to get inspired and see real kitchen before and after pictures posted by others. One Redditor posted a stunning kitchen remodel that they've done, and seeing what it looked like before and now gives you perspective on how small changes can add up to big improvements.

Previous

Read more
Report: These are the home design trends that are hot this summer
This summer, take note of these interior design trends
how to take care of a rooftop garden woman watering her

There are some new trends happening in home design right now, and they are all the rage. Whether you're trying to beat the heat or have a place to gather friends and family, the following design trends are here for the summer and beyond. The experts at Houzz recently released a report on how to transform your home into a summer oasis, and many aren't as hard to pull off as you may think. Not only will these interior design trends inspire, they can add some serious value to your home when you look to sell.

Finish your basement
Finishing your basement gives you a big fresh space to spread out, entertain, watch movies, and host family game nights. Notably, the report says that searches for “basement golf simulator” showed a 20x search. With all the drama from the PGA and LIV tours this past year, it just makes sense.
Rooftop living
If you don't have a basement, look upwards for inspiration. According to the report, searches for “outdoor rooftop terrace” are up a whopping 16.5x. If you live in a state like Florida with no basements, the rooftop is a natural space to add square footage and entertaining areas to your home.
Accessibility is key
The 2023 U.S. Houzz & Home Study reported that homeowners are settling into their homes and renovating for the long haul. Part of this means they are thinking about renovations into their retirement years, which include the bathrooms. Searches for “aging-in-place bathrooms” and “handicap-accessible bathrooms” both doubled compared to the same time last year. Searches for “handheld shower head,” “ADA-compliant bathroom vanities,” and “curbless showers” also increased.
Get cooking in industrial-style kitchens
Because the kitchen is the heart of the home and a place we all use for eating, working, playing, and entertaining, it makes sense we want them to feel more like a night out at a fancy restaurant. Searches tripled for “kitchen track lighting” and “pull-down kitchen faucets” and doubled for “stainless steel countertops” and “brick kitchen wall.”

Read more
What colors go with taupe? Striking ways to design your home
Looking for a versatile neutral? Try using taupe and pairing it with some fantastic complementary hues
Taupe wall paint with taupe chairs and a large plant

With a range of dark and light shades to choose from, taupe is a versatile color fit for sleek wall tones, soothing accents throughout the room, or simple shades on furniture. While some people avoid this neutral tone, worried that it will appear drab or dull in their spaces, knowing how to use taupe in your home design will help you best take advantage of this stunning neutral color. And whether you love this hue or not, knowing what colors go with taupe can aid you in choosing the right tones for your color palette, especially if you need a gorgeous neutral backdrop.

So, if you love taupe or are eager to incorporate it into your design, then we have a few tips for you. Below are some of the best complementary shades for taupe, as well as the most striking ways to style it in your home.

Read more