Whether you love canary brights, muted mustards, rich golden tones or delicate pastels, there’s a yellow that works for your interior style. Read on to discover top tips for embracing this optimistic shade.

Which rooms work best with yellow?

Morgan sofa | @poursomecolouronme

Because yellow is such an upbeat and happy colour, it’s always best to use it in rooms where you want to add extra energy. However, yellow can quickly overwhelm the senses, so if you’re just beginning to experiment with this shade, start with smaller doses by introducing accessories, artwork or soft furnishings before moving on to walls or larger pieces of furniture.

Using yellow in the living room

Oliver sideboard | Harris chair

In a living room, a bright yellow accent chair or sofa can inject a pop of colour, creating a striking contrast against dark wood furniture or adding warmth to cool-toned walls.

Hope wall art | @nouk.home

If you’re unsure about bright seating, accessorise a simple beige sofa with vibrant yellow cushions. Bring the look together with a yellow floor lamp and wall art that complements the colour palette, creating a cohesive interior scheme that’s filled with energy.

Inca corner sofa | @morkily

If you enjoy decorating with the seasons in mind, choose accessories that are easy to update, such as cushions, throws, candles, and vases in different yellow tones. Mustard shades add warmth in the autumn and winter months, while brighter yellows bring a sunny finishing touch in spring and summer.

Using yellow in a hallway

Original Rustic console table | @stylishhomesearch

In an entranceway, bold yellow walls might feel too intense, or a lack of natural light could prevent this colour from reaching its full potential. Instead, keep the look subtle and airy by choosing some brightly coloured yellow flowers or unique lighting to create a warm welcome. This happy shade, even in small doses, is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!

Using yellow in the bedroom

Parquet bedside table | @home_of_roberts

When adding yellow into your bedroom, consider a statement wall colour or wallpaper, a bold headboard, or rich curtains to combine with softer shades to create an intriguing yet restful look that’s anything but boring.

Copenhagen chest of drawers | @renovating_wynd_house

A yellow accent chair, small sofa, or chaise can add a fun and engaging touch to a children’s bedroom, perfect for reading time. Draw on this lively shade for inspiration when selecting art to decorate the walls — tying the whole space together effortlessly.

Bevel bedside table | @myhomeat122

For a calming look, opt for tactile textiles, such as cushions or throws in your preferred shade of yellow to add a touch of vibrancy. Combine with more soothing, restful colours to keep the room relaxed for when you are ready to unwind.

Using yellow in the dining room

Dorset dining set | @acton.life.and.home

Brighten up your dining space with cheerful yellow accents that evoke warmth and positivity. Even something as simple as a vase filled with fresh daffodils or vibrant sunflowers can instantly lift the mood and create a welcoming atmosphere. Whether used as a centrepiece on your dining table or styled on a sideboard, yellow florals add a fresh and optimistic touch to the space.

Parquet dining table | @thelightshesees

For an inviting tablescape, take inspiration straight from the kitchen by incorporating food-themed elements that feel both stylish and fun. Lemon-inspired tableware is a popular choice, bringing vibrant pops of yellow that instantly energise the space. Pair citrus-printed napkins, plates, or even the real thing with blue or natural woven placemats for a touch of escapism. This citrus-inspired decor adds a playful charm, perfect for brunches, summer dinners, or simply brightening everyday meals.

How will you be using yellow in your home? We’d love to see! Share your snaps with us using #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome on Instagram. For more yellow interior inspiration, check out our blog post about Dulux colour of the year, True Joy.

The post How to decorate with yellow appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Size, shape, number of seats, upholstery, quality and colour: what should you look for when buying a high-quality sofa? Well, here are 10 mistakes to avoid.

1. Impulse buying

Morgan modular 5-seat corner sofa | @homely_rose

No matter how good a sofa looks online, try to see it in person before making a commitment, if possible. It may be a different size than you thought, have more of an unusual shape than you’d imagined, or not be very comfortable at all. Even if you aren’t able to visit the store in person, you can arrange a video appointment to see it in a real-life setting or request some fabric swatches to compare with the rest of your living room furniture.

2. Not considering your lifestyle

Ashby sofa | @ourruralnest

If this sofa is for decorative purposes and perhaps sits in a room that you don’t use much, then comfort might not be as important a factor as its look and aesthetic. However, if it sits in front of the TV, you’ll want one that is completely sinkable and optimised for lounging. Tall people, in particular, need to consider factors like the length of a settee and whether it leaves enough room for them to stretch out and relax.

3. Ignoring sofa construction

There are many pros and cons to consider for a couch that goes way beyond its placement in the room layout or the cushion colour. Before you begin to browse, think about whether you have a preference for foam or feather pillows and make a list of pros and cons based on your home life. For instance, you may have an allergy to feather fillings or require the orthopaedic benefits of foam technology. Either way, do your research about how your new sofa design is built, and you’ll never have a point of complaint.

4. Selecting the wrong upholstery material

Dalby sofa | Dalby footstool | @mo_morshuis

Much like the way the settee is constructed, the upholstery material it’s made from will also need to suit your lifestyle and family needs. For example, if you have young children or pets, you may want to avoid fabric sofas, as they tend to soak up stains more easily than the smooth finish of a leather sofa. Or, if your living room can get hot and humid, avoid materials that lack airiness and tend to get sticky and unbreathable.

5. Not thinking about longevity

Ask yourself, how long will you need your couch for? If you think you’re likely to shake up your style in five years, opt for something ultra-trendy, like a modern sofa. However, if you think this will likely be a long-lasting investment, you might want to choose a more traditional sofa style that won’t look outdated over time.

6. Failing to measure properly

Inca sofa | @paintitprettyhome

Measure, measure and measure again! It’s all well and good if you think a sofa will look great in your home, but if it swallows up your space, it’ll leave you feeling claustrophobic and uncomfortable. Scale is key here. Width, depth and height are all really important measurements. To give you an idea of how a large or small sofa is going to look in your home, use tape to map out the exact dimensions on the floor, so you know what it’ll be like proportionately.

Take a look through our full living room measurement guide.

7. It can’t get through the door

You’ve done it: you’ve found the luxury sofa of your dreams and it fits your home layout! But wait – when it arrives, it can’t fit through your front door – nightmare! Always account for the access points of your home: your front door, hallway and any doorways or staircases that lead to your lounge. This is why the depth measurement is particularly key, it can help you work out if the settee needs to be tipped on its side to get through these access points. Alternatively, enquire which sofas are sold in compartments and can be assembled in your living room. Find out more about our sofa sizes.

8. You haven’t sized up your space

Evie corner sofa | @mybraxtonhome_

So you’ve ticked the boxes of floor space, height and the depth of the doorway, but will this sofa be right for your living room layout? Have you read the fine print – is the corner sofa that’s arriving left-handed or right-handed? Is there an alcove that needs to be accounted for (i.e. can a tall person sit there without knocking their head)? Will the coffee table fit in front of it while leaving space to walk around it? It pays to be ultra-precise and very picky about every detail.

9. The colour is all wrong

Willoughby corner sofa | @new_mummy_jess

Due to the prominence of the sofa in a living room scene, the colour you choose for your couch will depend on whether you want an understated or statement interior scheme. Go for a complementary colour for a blended look, something that pops in an otherwise neutral scene, or a bold shade in a more eclectic home. As mentioned, we recommend getting hold of fabric swatches because what looks great in the showroom might look completely different when immersed in your home setting.

10. It’s bad quality

Evie corner sofa | @insideeightyone

High-quality sofas are worth the investment for three reasons: they look fantastic, they feel fantastic and they will keep looking and feeling fantastic for years to come. Choose a brand you trust that puts care into its product design. For example, all our settees are built with hardwood in the frame, which not only makes for a more comfortable spot for our plump-free pillows to rest on, but also ensures they are built to last. Luxury sofas may seem more expensive initially, but they end up costing less in the long run.

Want to know more about choosing a sofa for your home? Read our post on finding the right sofa for your living room, then start shopping for our full range of high-quality and comfy sofas. Tag us in your new seating styles on Instagram with #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome.

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