Calling It: Mustard Yellow Is This Summer's Hottest Hue

By  Megan Beauchamp Updated
Mustard yellow tile kitchen backsplash with white cabinets and a green island Brad Knipstein for Lynn K. Leonidas

Let's be honest: There are a lot of new trends on the rise this summer. Spanning surfboards as wall art to oversize pendant lights to modern floral wallpaper, there's no shortage of designer-approved decor trends to choose from right now. However, if you're looking to give your home a fresh new look this season, there's one easy, foolproof way to instantly transform your space: Color. And one hue, in particular, is currently reigning supreme.

Spotted in nearly every new home decor collection — from H&M Home to Joanna Gaines for Anthropologie — mustard yellow is decidedly the It shade of summer 2019. And major home retailers aren't the only ones endorsing the trend — interior designers are backing it, too. "I've been a fan of mustard yellow for a long time and am so happy it's having its moment," Emily Henderson tells Hunker of the trending shade. "It's kind of the new neutral. It goes with almost anything and instantly brightens a room."

Scroll on for seven ways to introduce the trending shade into your home, ranging from a bold kitchen overhaul to a low-lift living room refresh.

1. Opt for Artwork Featuring the On-Trend Hue

Dining room with mustard yellow abstract artwork on wall next to small dining table and chairs FlashPoint Collective for Nicole Newkirk

Bold and graphic artwork featuring the yellow hue lends just the right amount of color to a dining space for an on-trend update, as demonstrated by this nook designed by Nicole Newkirk.

2. Take the Plunge and Invest in a Mustard Yellow Sofa

Living room with mustard yellow sofa and floor to ceiling built-in bookcase Elizabeth Roberts Architects

Leave it to the talented designers at Elizabeth Roberts Architects to make a compelling case for buying a mustard yellow sofa. Anchor the statement piece with a neutral area rug, wood furniture, and plenty of plants, as the pros did in this living room.

3. Bring a Hint of the Summery Shade Into the Bedroom

Bedroom with mustard yellow accent pillow and upholstered gray headboard and wooden side table Sara Tramp for Emily Henderson Design

For an affordable, low-lift refresh, add just a hint of the summer-appropriate color to your bedroom with a soft, textural mustard yellow accent pillow, as Emily Henderson does here.

4. Add a Pop of Color With Natural Foliage

Mustard yellow foliage styled in an entryway on top of black console table with shelf for storage Tessa Neustadt for Amber Interiors

Add a pop of color to your space by filling a vase with mustard yellow foliage. Gain inspiration from this entryway designed by Amber Lewis and opt for a large, statement-making arrangement for maximum impact.

5. Embrace the Earthy Hue's Luxe Side With Velvet

Velvet mustard yellow cushions on built-in sofa next to windows flanked by brass wall sconces Tessa Neustadt for Sarah Sherman Samuel

For an on-trend look that'll transition easily into the fall, follow designer Sarah Sherman Samuel's lead and select luxe velvet finishes for textiles such as throw pillows and sofa cushions in the shade.

6. Use It as an Accent in a Neutral Living Room

Living room with mustard yellow throw pillows on white sectional sofa Sara Tramp for Emily Henderson Design

The dark yellow hue pairs well with colors like navy, white, black, and gray, making it the perfect accent color for a neutral home, as exemplified by this vibrant yet pared-back living room designed by Emily Henderson.

7. Install in a Backsplash in the Saturated Shade

Mustard yellow tile kitchen backsplash with white cabinets and a green island Brad Knipstein for Lynn K. Leonidas

Go big with a mustard yellow tile backsplash in the kitchen. Take style notes from designer Lynn K. Leonidas and ground the saturated shade with reliable neutrals. Think off-white cabinetry, wood accents, and greenery.

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