Interior inspo–some Butter Yellow please
- Shivangi Angra
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 4
Buttery, warm and mellow, who doesn't like yellow?
Just halfway into the year, and Mocha Mousse, the Pantone colour of the year, is being sidelined to make way for a buttery transition of aesthetics—from fashion runways to interior inspo, Butter Yellow has truly taken over. And to be honest, we really don't mind.
While it might look like Mocha mousse is completely losing its relevance, Mumbai-based Interior designer Vikramaditya Bhave suggests otherwise. “Mocha mousse has not completely disappeared, at least not from the interior design market, although the consumers have shifted more towards summer tones.”
Why Butter Yellow?
Gone are the days when making a statement was exclusive to loud interiors. Pastel and mellow shades play soothing agents in interior spaces. Now, there's Yellow– a shade that brings joy, but Butter Yellow? It's the joy you feel after a long, cosy nap. Get the difference? It is a hug in the form of a colour. In a world of consistent overstimulation, it is inevitable for one to seek stillness all around them. That’s where butter yellow swoops in and saves the day. From fashion & beauty to interiors, it has quickly become a favourite.
European aesthetics hold a strong influence across the globe–soft minimalism, Scandinavian design, and cottagecore are grounded in similar elegance. Butter Yellow complements each of these versatile interior styles.
“It is a unique colour with various advantages—it works excellently as a backdrop for bold colours. It pairs well with colours like Earthen Pot(Gerua), cool blues and muted greens, which help to achieve a calm and composed vibe for a space,” he suggests.
Butter Yellow’s golden-hour vibe photographs beautifully, enhancing video aesthetics for content creators, making their work vibrant. But the appeal doesn’t stop at influencers. Students and renters are also turning to this shade for practical reasons. It mimics daylight, brightening rooms even with minimal lighting—all while maintaining the visual integrity of the space.
In the spotlight
Bhave’s recent visit to Ikea reveals that butter yellow features as the primary colour in their latest range, pointing towards its rising influence.
At the same time, there’s been a notable growth in interest towards sensory and Biophilic design. The approach helps to create an emotionally and consciously enriching experience.
Biophilic aesthetics
Biophilic design incorporates nature into decor–an approach that aims to create a connection between people and the environment. “It’s known to improve wellbeing and even curb air pollution. Colour psychology also plays a strong role. Use of warm hues like yellow, red, and orange in start-up spaces promotes motivation and a healthy work-life balance,” he explains. Butter yellow stands out as a dominant colour in workspaces, and more as an accent in homes.
When asked about the colour’s longevity, Bhave responded, “people are more theme-aware now as compared to earlier. There used to be a trending colour, and consumers would get things of that colour. Now the people are more theme-focused.”
Whether butter yellow sticks around really comes down to how profoundly it resonates with people. Presently, with everyone craving a little more serenity and comfort, it feels like this sunny tint could hold on for a little longer.