One shade in particular has been making a comeback this season, in both fashion and home interiors: butter yellow.

It’s not surprising to see this hue becoming more popular, particularly when KitchenAid dubbed it their “2025 Color of the Year” and Drew Barrymore launched her latest “Beautiful” collection in buttery yellow tones. However, there seem to be multiple reasons why this color is becoming a favorite this season.

We spoke to interior designers on why they believe butter yellow is making a comeback, as well as tips on how to bring the shade into your home.

Why Butter Yellow Is Making a Comeback

Butter yellow may feel like a return to the past, but that may be exactly why many are gravitating toward the shade.

“With the popularity of creating cozy and lived-in spaces on the rise, butter yellow seems like a no-brainer,” Katherine Pierce, an interior designer for Copper Sky and Remodel, says.

While nostalgia may be a factor, our designers agree that the main reason butter yellow is taking interiors by storm is its ability to work well in neutral settings, without being a neutral color.

“After years of gray, people are ready to embrace something that isn’t perfectly neutral. Buttery yellow feels personal and optimistic in a way that really resonates right now,” Caron Woolsey, founder and principal designer of CW Interiors, says.

It makes sense; color psychology shows that we tend to associate yellow with feelings of happiness. It often brings warmth to a space, though some brighter or neon shades can feel jarring, making lighter tones preferred in home decor spaces. For those who love pops of color, butter yellow is a way to side-step neutrals in creating a comforting space that still feels joyful.

Additionally, the sunny shade pairs well with other colors that’ve been growing in popularity in recent years, providing more reason why it’s becoming a favorite this season.

“It plays very well with the blues and greens that we have seen among major trends in recent years, so it feels like a natural step for most,” Pierce explains.

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How to Use It in Your Space

If you’re looking to incorporate the buttery hue into your space, Pierce and Woolsey have tips for how to style the color:

• Use In Spaces That Provide Comfort: Woolsey recommends adding the color into rooms that are naturally associated with comfort, such as kitchens or family rooms. You can also use it in a guest room to create an inviting atmosphere.
• Check Your Shade: “Be mindful of saturation when choosing your color,” Pierce recommends. “The more muted your yellow appears in a swatch, the closer you’ll land to a true butter tone.”
• Consider Your Lighting: Pierce suggests that the lighting in your home is worth paying attention to before selecting your shade of yellow. If the room you’re considering for your butter yellow project gets a ton of natural light, consider the tones that come with it. Pierce recommends steering clear of green-toned yellows if that light filters through a ton of trees. “If the room only gets ultra-warm evening light, you may want to avoid yellows with a stronger orange undertone,” Pierce says.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: One major pro of this shade is that it’s fairly easy to work with, whether your interior preferences are modern or traditional. While the shade may be nostalgic, it can still work well with modern touches, so don’t be afraid to experiment with testing the color in different areas of your home.
• Use as an Accent: You don’t have to paint all the walls yellow to get the most out of the color, according to Pierce. “Try it out in something as small as a dish towel or a throw pillow to see if you even like the way it looks in your space, then go from there.”

Butter Yellow Color Pairing Tips

Pairing butter yellow with other colors isn’t as daunting as it may seem. The softness of the yellow often complements a variety of other colors. Some pairings our designers recommend include:

• Butter Yellow and Blue: “Blue and yellow are timeless and work together beautifully,” Woolsey says. Navy, ocean blue, or a soft blue are all perfect pairs for butter yellow.
• Butter Yellow and Sage: These two colors can create a more grounded and serene approach. Other green shades, like olive, can also work well.
• Butter Yellow, Coral, and Green: Woolsey recommends combining these colors for a more playful approach.
• Butter Yellow and Pink (or Purple): Pierce recommends trying these pairings for a whimsical feel.