The use of yellow has been incorporated into bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and facades, whether it is contrasting with brighter colors, blending with other honey tones, or standing out against neutral materials.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring interiors with lime plaster walls, Barbiecore pink aspects, and retro nods to Wes Anderson.

Beresford Road property, London, by Russian for Fish

This London-based apartment features a statement yellow kitchen that was used to brighten the basement and complement the other colors in the space. Russian for Fish used the same vivid shade throughout the entirety of the kitchen, which also continues to the staircase.

Plant pots are added to the area to create dimension, with the green tones adding more color to the otherwise yellow and neutral home.

“Yellow is a great color – it brings out the ochre tones of the natural concrete floor, compliments the off-white walls, and creates warmth throughout the flat, even on the dullest of days,” says architect and founder at Russian for Fish, Pereen d’Ivoire.

Seven Lives, Spain, by Anna and Eugeni Bach

Spanish architecture studio Anna and Eugeni Bach built this apartment block in Barcelona, adding primary yellow features to the facade that add a vibrant touch to the interiors.

The building has yellow window frames and grills, balconies, and blinds that are all visible from the apartments, as well as yellow internal doors to the balconies. Also, This statement attributes contrast with the grey stucco and internal walls.

The shade – which was selected as it was approved by the area’s regulators – is also used in the communal staircase.

Residential complex, The Netherlands, by Shift Architecture Urbanism

A variety of bright colors were used to decorate this residential complex designed by Shift Architecture Urbanism in Amsterdam. The 235 apartments feature shades of yellow, green, blue, and red in the furniture, fixtures, and appliances to create a playful atmosphere.

Moreover, The homes feature laminate floors, white walls, and concrete ceilings that create a neutral base for the additional colors used for the modular units, cupboard-style bedrooms, and ceramic tiled walls.

Apartment, Sweden, by Westblom Krasse Arkitektkontor

This apartment in Stockholm uses plenty of primary colors, with reds, blues, and yellows used on the walls and the furniture.

Furthermore, A butter shade decorates the walls of the main and children’s bedrooms and is complimented by a sunshine hue on the ceiling. Soft yellow shades are also used to contrast maroon tiles and doors throughout the home.

Yellow accents can also be found on its accessories, such as lamps, crockery, and artwork.

Casa Collumpio, Spain, by MACH

MACH designed this industrial-style house in Barcelona with lemon-yellow steelwork used on the interior and exterior.

Used as a focal point among grey concrete and wooden cladding, a bright yellow staircase with a protective mesh panel connects the upper floors of the building. Moreover, To complement the feature, yellow stripes are in the white kitchen cupboards. Also, The color continues on the steelwork around the door, forming a decorative statement around the windows at the front and back of the home.

Apartment, Spain, by Arquitectura-G

Arquitectura-G designed the interiors of this apartment in Barcelona with pastel yellow tones to create a lighter, more open space. Also, The walls and floor of the space have glazed square tiles, with the metal kitchen units matching in a similar tone.

Yellow furniture, such as a sofa and cupboards, complements the apartment’s color palette.

“We prefer to use the same color in the whole project, to give a strong visual impact. And make it an essential part of the house’s identity,” SIDS Arquitectura-G.

Cafe Banacado, Sweden, by ASKA

ASKA has created a picturesque cafe in Stockholm informed by film director Wes Anderson’s aesthetics. Also using shades of mustard, cream, pink, and brown to adorn the space.

Furthermore, The yellow checkerboard floor was influenced by traditional Cuban styles of interiors and mirrored by similar tones in the tiled table tops.

“To create an environment that feels harmonious we work with subtle layering and tone-in-tone methods,” said ASKA co-founder Madeleine Klingspor. “The same yellow is on the walls, lamps, tables, and floor but in different scales and intensity,”

JJ16, Spain, by Lucas y Hernández-Gil

Citrus yellow offsets petal pink in this Madrid apartment by Lucas y Hernández-Gil. Also with a yellow built-in bookshelf lining the length of the corridor.

Moreover, The hallway leads to the kitchen, which features a contrasting soft pink floor and walls and matte grey units.

The rest of the space has been decorated with similarly vivid colors and prints. Including neon orange storage hidden by white doors, blue checkerboard flooring, and an aubergine wardrobe.