How to Decorate with Dulux’s ‘True Joy’ Yellow
Sunshine in a tin!
Oh, how gorgeous is yellow?! It’s like capturing a beam of sunshine and spreading it around your home! And with Dulux naming True Joy as their Colour of the Year 2025, there’s never been a better time to embrace this vibrant, feel-good shade. The Dulux colour of the year reveal is one of the most important on the calendar for setting paint trends, so it can be an indication of where styles are going for the year ahead. Another reason the brand selected True Joy as the COTY 2025 is to inspire confidence – to remind people to not be afraid of embracing colour and being bold in their homes so of course I’m on board with that! It’s an energising and motivating shade with the thought that it will encourage people to look to the future with optimism.
‘The meaning behind the colour’s choice is so impactful,’ explains Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux. ‘The sheer bliss the colour exudes physically pushes us to create something better for ourselves; it allows us to put the past behind us and gives us the inspiration we need to forge a future for our proudest, most confident selves. Put simply, True Joy is a call to action.’
But using such a bold colour can feel a little daunting, so let’s explore how to make this beautiful hue work in your home.
Cupboard painted in Carnaby yellow by Annie Sloan
Finding the Right Space for Yellow
True Joy is a shade bursting with energy and optimism, making it perfect for spaces where you want to feel inspired and uplifted. It’s brilliant for brightening up those north or west-facing rooms that often feel a bit dull. Imagine a kitchen or a home office bathed in the warmth of this sunny yellow – it’s like a burst of positivity every time you walk in! It can transform even the gloomiest spaces into rooms full of life. However my advise would be rather than rolling it around all four walls, consider using as a block of colour. A painted wardrobe or cabinet can offer up some colour punch. A statement headboard will bring focus or why not just paint the door or window so you can have your jolt of happy yellow within the room without overpowering it. My fitted kitchen cabinetry was designed to look like a free standing larder unit and it really stood out in this beautiful Harvest Yellow by Magnet.
A pop of yellow picks out this pretty cottage window in my guest bedroom window, and draws the eye to the beautiful view outside. Painted in ‘Ming gold’ by Sanderson.
However, when it comes to more restful areas, like bedrooms or living rooms, be cautious. Yellow’s vibrant personality can be a bit too energising if you’re trying to relax and unwind. In these rooms, consider using yellow as an accent on accessories. A few pops of this lively hue across lamps, vases or cushions, can add a playful touch without overwhelming the space.
Hallways: The Perfect Place for a Splash of Yellow
One area where True Joy really shines is the hallway. Because it’s a space you pass through rather than spend hours in, it can handle a stronger, more vibrant colour. A yellow hallway is like a big smile every time you walk through the door – warm, welcoming, and wonderfully uplifting. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to set the tone for the rest of your home, so if you love yellow, you can then easily weave it into the other rooms that come off the hallway.
Yellow Hallway credit: Lilium by Graham and Brown
Tips for Using ‘True Joy’ in Your Home
Before you go all-in, remember to always try before you buy! Get a tester pot and paint the largest swatch you can manage – at least a metre square. This will help you see how yellow interacts with your lighting and other colours in the room. Remember, if you’re planning to paint all four walls, the colour will bounce around and intensify, creating a bold look that’s not for the faint-hearted.
If you’re feeling a bit hesitant about covering a whole room, try using yellow in smaller doses. A sunshine yellow ceiling, for example, can cast a warm, golden glow over the whole space. Or use it only on the woodwork, or on a statement piece of furniture like a sideboard or bookshelf, to inject a pop of personality without committing to an entire room.
For optimum joy wrap the room in yellow but mix with softer tones of green and pink to balance the effect. Credit: Home of Ali Dorman in Apartment Therapy
Pairing ‘True Joy’ with Other Colours
When decorating with yellow, it’s important to think about the other colours in your scheme. True Joy looks fresh and crisp with white, playful and soft with pale pink, and can add warmth to cool blues or serious greys. For a more daring look, pair it with contrasting hues or a maximalist wallpaper – a combination that’s full of character and charm!
Sophie’s open plan kitchen curtains: Paper Straw Stripe Citrine by Harlequin X Sophie Robinson
Adding Pops of ‘True Joy’
If you’re not ready to pick up a paintbrush just yet, there are still plenty of ways to bring True Joy into your home. Try starting with working up your ideas and the particular tone of yellow that suits you with a mood board, or go for it and start introducing it with smaller accessories; think scatter cushions, vases, or even a bright yellow lampshade. A few well-placed touches can lift any room and make your space feel instantly more cheerful. You could even start small with a bunch of yellow flowers – it’s amazing how much joy a simple vase of tulips can bring!
Wallpaper: Daisy Trellis Lapis/Pearl Harlequin X Sophie Robinson
So, go on, embrace the joy of maximalism with True Joy! Whether you’re looking to create a bold statement or add a few playful accents, this vibrant yellow is sure to fill your home with warmth and happiness all year round.
Feeling inspired to transform your space? If so, you won’t want to miss my brand-new course: How to Create a Maximalist Interior. In this course, I guide you step by step through my proven techniques to create vibrant, layered spaces full of joy. To celebrate the launch, I’m offering 20% off if you enroll by October 7th with the code MAXIMAGIC20.
Let’s turn your home into a colourful haven that truly reflects you!
