Mustard yellow is a dark shade of yellow with rich brown undertones. It is named after the culinary mustard of the same color.
Yellow is generally thought of as an uplifting and joyous color, and mustard also carries these traits but in a more subdued way. Mustard yellow is positive and inspiring while also being deep and warming.
Some people may find this color to be too intense, while others find that being surrounded by mustard yellow makes them feel safe and comforted.
This is a color that never seems to go out of style, both in fashion and in interior design, but the colors you pair with it can dramatically affect the resulting style.
Mustard with burnt orange is a color combination that evokes memories of the 1970s, while mustard with gray is a very modern color combination.
Here we look at some of the best colors that go with mustard yellow and how you can use them in your home interior decor.
Mustard Yellow + Teal
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Teal | #557f76 | cmyk(33%, 0%, 7%, 50%) | rgb(85, 127, 118) |
Teal is a really vibrant shade of blue-green that is energetic yet soothing. As a heavily saturated color, teal works well with mustard yellow because they are able to stand up against each other without one being drowned out.
These colors work really nicely with other jewel tones, such as pops of violet or Fuschia. Use teal and mustard yellow to create a luxurious interior by selecting them in sumptuous fabrics like velvet and faux fur.
This is a color palette that works really well in a bedroom to create a sophisticated space that is full of character. When using metallics with teal and mustard yellow, always lean towards gold or brass because these reflect the warmth in mustard and make for a high-end finish.
Avoid silver with mustard and teal color palettes because this can come off as brash and cheap-looking.
Mustard Yellow + Navy Blue
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Navy Blue | #122b4f | cmyk(77%, 46%, 0%, 69%) | rgb(18, 43, 79) |
Navy blue is a deep and calming color that is often used to convey respect and formality. When paired with mustard yellow, navy blue becomes more striking because the two create a vivid contrast. This is a color combination that works well in a formal dining room to achieve an elegant and stylish look.
Because mustard yellow is a strong and highly pigmented color, it needs other bold colors to go with it; otherwise, it can seem too harsh and dominating.
This is one of the reasons why navy works so well with mustard because it is a strong color; however, it is not vibrant and therefore doesn’t try to steal the show. Blue is the contrasting color for yellow on the color wheel, and so blue and yellow complement each other perfectly; however, with mustard yellow, you should stick with highly saturated shades of blue in order to create a good balance.
Mustard Yellow + Blush Pink
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Blush Pink | #ecaead | cmyk(0%, 26%, 27%, 7%) | rgb(236, 174, 173) |
Blush pink is really on-trend in interior design right now, and it is no longer a color that is confined to use in little girls’ bedrooms. You can use blush pink anywhere in the home, including in living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms.
Blush pink has a dusky and sultry vibe that also lends it perfectly to use in adult bedrooms or guest bedrooms. Blush pink has gray undertones that give it a cool feel, and this will contrast well against the rich warmth of mustard yellow.
These two colors together look very modern and create a feminine elegance that is powerful and bold, as opposed to dainty and weak. Use them with gray accents for an extra hit of contemporary chic.
Mustard Yellow + Dark Tan
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Dark Tan | #533c1d | cmyk(0%, 28%, 65%, 67%) | rgb(83, 60, 29) |
Mustard yellow has an earthy tone to it due to the undertones of brown and orange. This means it can work really well in a natural themed room with other warm colors, creating a comforting and inviting atmosphere.
Another earthy color that will look rich and tonal alongside mustard yellow is dark tan. This could be described as a deep cinnamon shade mixed with caramel. It is a very dark shade of beige or a light shade of brown, which also has yellow-orange undertones.
This is a color that serves as a neutral in home decor, and you could use it for flooring in the form of carpet or hardwood or for a tan leather sofa with oversized mustard yellow crocheted cushions.
To avoid allowing a room to feel overwhelming, choose a shade that lacks colors, such as off-white or black, to break up the warmth of the mustard yellow and dark tan pieces.
Mustard Yellow + Gray
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Gray | #45545b | cmyk(24%, 8%, 0%, 64%) | rgb(69, 84, 91) |
Gray and yellow are a combination that is commonly seen in contemporary interiors, as yellow provides a cheerful note to gray that can be seen as dreary or dull. These two colors are often used in Scandinavian-themed designs, though using mustard yellow instead of bright yellow will provide an interesting twist to this color scheme.
For a cozy and comfortable interior, paint the walls in a deep gray color and accessorize with chunky mustard yellow knitted blankets and heavy suede mustard yellow curtains.
Alternatively, for a minimalist style, paint the walls in a pale off-white shade of gray and use small hits of mustard yellow to create stark contrasts, such as a mustard yellow lampshade or vase.
Add another dimension to this color palette by introducing a third color, such as blush pink or emerald green.
Mustard Yellow + Magenta
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Magenta | #a13a57 | cmyk(0%, 64%, 46%, 37%) | rgb(161, 58, 87) |
Magenta is a vibrant and heavily saturated color that sits somewhere between pink and purple. As yellow and purple are at opposite sides of the color wheel, these two colors make for a very striking color pairing.
They create a strong contrast with each other that could be deemed overstimulating in some environments, so you could space out these two shades a little by selecting a neutral color to use as a base. Dark gray would serve this purpose well, or even black.
Magenta and mustard yellow can be used to create a very luxurious and royal effect. Choose silky or velvet fabrics in these shades and highlight the room with touches of metallic gold.
Want to see more magenta color inspiration? Check out our guide on colors that go with magenta.
Mustard Yellow + Raspberry Red
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Raspberry | #a03343 | cmyk(0%, 68%, 58%, 37%) | rgb(160, 51, 67) |
Mustard yellow works well with all berry colors, and one of the best berry colors to pair with this shade of yellow is raspberry.
This is an almost blue-toned shade of red, which reads as more playful and cheeky than the heavy and dramatic feel you can get from darker and deeper reds. Use raspberry red accessories in a predominantly mustard yellow room to add depth and create an unusual yet appealing color theme.
Mustard Yellow + Eggplant Purple
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Eggplant Purple | #692838 | cmyk(0%, 62%, 47%, 59%) | rgb(105, 40, 56) |
Eggplant purple is a dark shade of purple that has touches of black in it. It is the color of an aubergine’s glossy outer skin. As yellow is a complementary color of purple, these two shades are sure to be a great combination.
The deep saturation of eggplant purple provides a nice balance for mustard yellow, and the two colors make for a really striking contrast. Use them together in bold printed fabric for bed linen or cushions covers for a classic modern look.
Mustard Yellow + Chocolate Brown
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Chocolate Brown | #4c312c | cmyk(0%, 36%, 42%, 70%) | rgb(76, 49, 44) |
Chocolate brown is a deeply rich shade of brown that is undeniably warming. When used alongside mustard yellow, chocolate brown becomes even more intense. You will see more golden hues in mustard yellow when it is paired with chocolate brown, and the two colors together make for a really comforting and cozy feeling space.
Choose these two colors in rooms where you want to snuggle up with a book and a roaring fire, such as a family living room or a reading nook. Chocolate brown and mustard yellow can also be used together to create a spa-style aesthetic in a bathroom.
Choose tiles that have a brown wood grain effect, and accessorize the space with mustard yellow fluffy towels and a mustard yellow bath mat.
Mustard Yellow + Dark Sage Green
Shade | Hex Code | CMYK Color Code (%) | RGB Color Code | Color |
Mustard Yellow | #dea500 | cmyk(0%, 26%, 100%, 13%) | rgb(222, 165, 0) | |
Dark Sage Green | #68634d | cmyk(0%, 5%, 26%, 59%) | rgb(104, 99, 77) |
Sage green is an earthy color, much like mustard yellow. This means the two colors can work really well together in a natural themed space. Use mustard yellow paint on the walls and opt for dark sage green furnishings such as a sage green sofa and sage green curtains.
You can add to the natural look by incorporating houseplants into the space or art prints depicting trees or green landscapes.
To create a truly warm and inviting space, you could add beige or brown to this color scheme, or to ensure the space feels modern, instead use white or gray as your neutral color.
Black can also be a great choice with a mustard yellow and sage green decor to add drama and definition to the room.
Choose small hits of black, such as black painted wooden legs on furniture or black frames around art prints for subtle definition, or paint walls black and use mustard yellow and sage green for all of the accessories.
This look will work especially well in rooms that should have an intimate atmosphere, such as the master bedroom or a dining room. Small rooms can also benefit from dark color palettes, such as bathrooms.