Butter yellow's dominance may be waning, according to varied design perspectives. Several new colors are poised to potentially take the throne from the once prevalent hue.
As the year unfolds, butter yellow remains a popular choice in interior design, but forward-thinking designers and homeowners are already looking beyond this sunny hue for colours that offer a similar sense of warmth and cheer without the fleeting nature of a trend. Here are five colours that might replace or complement butter yellow in the world of interior design over the next few months:
- Heritage Blues
Classic blues, such as Windmill Wings by Benjamin Moore, offer a timeless and cheerful alternative to butter yellow. These blues bring a sense of cool calmness while still providing warmth when paired with neutral or earthy tones. Light periwinkle, for instance, evokes a memory of the sky at dusk and dawn, and it goes well with shades of white, grey, and bleached woods.
- Terracottas
Warm and earthy, terracottas add a cozier feel to spaces. They work well with natural materials and can create a more grounded, inviting atmosphere. Sun-soaked colours like ochre and muted clay are potential replacements for butter yellow, offering more depth and a stronger structure.
- Aubergine (Eggplant)
Rich and deep, aubergine is expected to be popular in the fall, offering a bold yet grounded aesthetic. It pairs well with metallics and natural textures, providing a sense of warmth that feels perfect for the colder months.
- Red Wine Tones
Inspired by marbles like Calacatta Viola, deep red wine tones can add a sophisticated and warm touch to interiors. Farrow & Ball's Eating Room Red is a rich, inviting colour similar to butter yellow. Designer Elizabeth Vergara believes that butter yellow had its moment and is overdone, while designer Sarah Trop suggests warm neutrals as a timeless alternative.
- Soft, Muted Yellows
For those who still want to incorporate a yellow hue, shifting towards softer, more muted yellows could be a great alternative. These shades offer a more timeless look compared to the trendier butter yellow and can blend well with a variety of decor styles.
In addition to these colours, designers are also recommending the use of cobalt blue, a colour that has the potential to dethrone butter yellow, with its vivid shade and jewel tone quality. Adding a few cobalt blue throw pillows can dramatically enhance a room's design, while a portable lamp in a stunning shade of cobalt blue can keep the table lit for outdoor parties. A deep red velvet round pillow can enhance the look of a couch, and a cozy merino wool throw blanket in a bright shade of cobalt blue can act as a fun pop of colour in a home.
Ashley Stark thinks deeper shades like maroon or burgundy will become popular as we head into colder months, while Brigette Romanek's ottoman for Crate & Barrel has a plush seat, elegant wooden feet, and a curved organic shape that can complement any of these new colour trends.
Designer Lauren Saab asserts that butter yellow is still current and has evolved from playful and nostalgic to something more refined. However, as the year progresses, it seems that the design world is ready to embrace a new palette of colours that offer a mix of warmth, elegance, and longevity.
- Designers are suggesting a shift from butter yellow towards heritage blues, such as Windmill Wings by Benjamin Moore, for a timeless and cheerful alternative in interior design.
- Ashley Stark predicts that deeper shades like maroon or burgundy will become popular as the colder months approach, while Brigette Romanek's ottoman for Crate & Barrel can complement any of these new colour trends with its organic shape.
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, a cozy merino wool throw blanket in a bright shade of cobalt blue can act as a fun pop of colour in a home, and adding a few cobalt blue throw pillows can dramatically enhance a room's design.
- Forward-thinking designers are also embracing red wine tones, like Farrow & Ball's Eating Room Red, as a more sophisticated and warm alternative to butter yellow, while terracottas add a cozier feel to spaces with their warm, earthy colours.
