Today, we're excited to share our concepts for infusing citrus zest tones into your home through the incorporation of hues such as yellows, warm-toned gold, ochre, lime green, orange, and more.
Putting special emphasis on yellow, the shade associated with sunshine and sunflowers, citrus tones have consistently brought boundless joy, happiness, and playfulness to various creative domains, including art, fashion, fragrance, and interior design.
Here are our ideas for embracing the citrus tones in your home.
SHOP THE CITRUS ZEST COLLECTION
Photo Source: Michael Smith Inc. Interiors
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #1
Citrus Tones in Colour Psychology
Colour psychology suggests that citrus colors, which typically include vibrant and lively hues such as orange, yellow, and green, can evoke certain emotions and perceptions.
Here are some general associations with citrus colors:
Orange:
- Energetic and Warm: Orange is often associated with energy, warmth, and enthusiasm. It can create a sense of excitement and stimulate socialization.
- Creativity: Orange is also linked to creativity and can be an inspiring color, making it suitable for environments where creative thinking is encouraged.
Green:
- Nature and Balance: Green is commonly associated with nature, growth, and balance. It can create a calming and refreshing environment, reminiscent of the outdoors.
- Harmony: Green is often perceived as a harmonious and balanced color, representing stability and tranquility.
Lastly, yellow is seen as optimistic, playful, and happy. It can also be associated with mental clarity and intellect.
Popular Shades of Yellow:
- Lemon
- Ochre
- Marigold
- Muted gold
- Pastel yellow
- English yellow
- Dusty yellow
- Daffodil yellow
- Sunny yellow
- Butterscotch
- Mustard yellow
- & more!
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Complementary Colours:
For citrus tones like yellow and orange, their complementary colours can be found on the opposite side of the colour wheel.
Here are some complementary colour pairs:
-
Blue and Blue-Green:
- Complementary to Orange: Blue and its variations, such as turquoise or teal, are complementary to orange. The coolness of these colours contrasts with the warmth of orange.
-
Purple and Violet:
- Complementary to Yellow: Purple and violet hues are complementary to yellow. This pairing creates a vibrant and visually appealing contrast.
-
Green:
- Complementary to Both: Green is complementary to both yellow and orange. It can create a harmonious and balanced colour scheme when combined with citrus tones.
Photo Source: Architectural Digest
Choosing the Right Shade of Yellow:
Yellow with a green undertone shines best in bright, south-facing rooms but may appear unflattering in darker corners. Consider its appearance throughout the day before committing.
Softer buttery yellows are more soothing, whereas adding red to yellow will warm and enhance its versatility.
Lastly, mustard, ochre, and sienna can harmonize with blues, greens, or subdued pinks, whereas pairing yellow with black, navy, or emerald will offer drama and a touch of glamour.
Photo Source: Sarah Bartholomew
Design Styles:
Next, look to different interior design styles as inspiration for introducing citrus tones throughout your home.
Some design styles that feature citrus tones include:
- Art Deco Design: Known for its glamour and geometric patterns, Art Deco interiors can benefit from the addition of citrus tones. Incorporate these colours in statement furniture, lighting fixtures, or art to bring a touch of playfulness to the sophistication of Art Deco.
- Tropical and Coastal: Citrus colours naturally fit into tropical and coastal design themes. These colours evoke a sense of the sun, beaches, and warmth. Consider using citrus tones in combination with blues, greens, and natural textures to create a refreshing and relaxed atmosphere.
- Mediterranean Style: The Mediterranean style captures the soul of relaxed, coastal living. For a cohesive feel, introduce pops of yellow and mustard alongside an oceanic palette of sky, cerulean, and navy blues, sage, celadon and sea foam greens.
- French Country Style: Soft, buttery yellows are especially popular in this style.
- Scandinavian: While Scandinavian design is often associated with neutral tones, adding pops of citrus colours, particularly in accessories or textiles, can bring warmth and a cheerful touch to the minimalist and functional aesthetic.
Photo Source: Mrs Alice.
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #2
Citrus-Toned Wall Treatments
If you want to introduce citrus tones on a larger scale, consider your choice of wall treatments, for a bold and impactful statement.
Ideas include:
- Paint: Paint an accent wall, your ceiling, or all four walls.
- Wall tiles: Add a pop of colour and pattern to your kitchen backsplash or bathroom with citrus-toned ceramic or porcelain tiles.
- Wallpaper: Citrus-toned wallpaper comes in various patterns, such as floral, damask, or geometric designs, and can be a stylish choice for adding vibrancy to a room.
- Murals: Consider an artistic wall mural that depicts nature scenes, botanicals, abstract designs, or whimsical art.
Photo Source: Bunny Williams
Photo Source: Emily Henderson
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #3
Citrus-Toned Flooring Ideas
Your choice of flooring is another creative way to introduce citrus tones throughout the home.
Some ideas include:
- A chequerboard paint-effect floor.
- Yellow, orange, or lime green jute or sisal rugs and runners
- Area Rugs with citrus accents and motifs.
- Large faded Aubusson, Turkish, or Persian woolen rugs.
- Floor tiles: Yellow, orange or lime green ceramic or porcelain tiles can be used for kitchens, bathrooms, or entryways as they are durable and easy to clean.
Photo Source: Transition State
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #4
Citrus-Toned Furniture
Depending on the amount of citrus tones you wish to feature in your home, consider large- or small-scale furniture pieces.
Furniture ideas include:
- Upholstered or painted bar stools.
- Metal or rattan bistro chairs.
- Upholstered or slipcovered ottomans.
- An upholstered bedhead.
- A velvet English roll arm sofa or armchair.
- Outdoor seating with citrus-toned seat cushions.
- You can also use paint to revitalise old furniture pieces such as bookshelves, bedside tables, coffee tables, and more.
Photo Source: Frederic Magazine
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #5
Citrus Zest Textiles
If you wish to introduce citrus tones on a smaller scale, soft furnishings, and textiles are a brilliant way to add colour, pattern, and personality.
We recommend layering different patterns in varying hues for visual interest.
Ideas for incorporating citrus tones into your soft furnishings include:
- Throw pillows & blankets.
- Curtains, Roman blinds, or drapes.
- Bedding, such as quilts, duvets, bedspreads, and pillowcases.
- Table linen, tableware, and napery.
- & Bath towels, hand towels, and bathmats.
Photo Source: Walter G
Photo Source: Amanda Lindroth
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #6
Artwork
Next, adorn your walls with wall art, botanical prints, photography, wall hangings, and more.
Citrus-toned artwork ideas include:
- Botanical prints.
- Abstract geometric artwork.
- Abstract expressionism wall art.
- Photography or framed acrylic or still life oil paintings depicting sunflowers, daffodils, lemons, limes, oranges, the sunrise or sunset, and other natural settings.
Bowl with Lemons Painting | 40 x 50cm
$125.00
Add a French country feel to your home with this stunning handpainted oil on canvas still life artwork, featuring a bowl with lemons. Due to the hand-painted nature of these reproduction artworks, there may be slight variations in colour and… read more
Photo Source: Ariel Okin
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #7
Accessories: Loved and Lustre
Incorporating citrus-toned accessories into interior design can add vibrancy, warmth, and personality to your home.
When you're looking to create an interior design concept that includes "Something Loved" and "Something with Lustre," you're aiming to bring cherished items and elements with a touch of shine into your home decor.
Here are some ideas to achieve this:
Loved Items: Personalised Décor:
- Family Heirlooms: Display cherished heirlooms or vintage items passed down through generations, such as antique citrus-tone vases, trinket boxes, or artwork.
- Ceramic dinnerware, including dinner plates, bowls, water jugs, mugs, and more.
- Decorative objects, such as ceramic lemons or limes, busts, and animal figurines.
- French coloured dinner or taper candles.
- French Anduze confit pots.
Paradiso Trinket Box | Tropical | Antique Colour
$185.00
Add a beautiful British Colonial and Island style to your interior with the Paradiso Trinket Box. It's tropical design features palm trees, with a pineapple top and a green, ivory, and bronze colourway. The antique crackled finish adds an old-world… read more
Lustre Elements: Shiny and Glossy Additions
- Metallic Accessories: Introduce metallic yellow accessories, like yellow gold picture frames, mirrors, and glossy ceramic vases or ginger jars which will bring a lustrous touch and a sense of luxury to your space.
- Glass Decor: Use tinted glassware, acrylic glassware, sculptural vases, tea-light votives, or other miscellaneous decorative objects to catch and reflect light.
- Decorative crystals such as citrine.
- Yellow gold candlesticks, jewellery stands, and trinket dishes.
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Lighting can further enhance the lustre of your accessories. Install warm-toned light bulbs, and yellow or orange-toned light bulbs, or use natural light strategically to illuminate and highlight these lustrous elements.
Lastly, transform existing table and floor lamps by replacing their lampshades with yellow, orange, or lime green velvet, silk, linen, or synthetic fabric shades for a pop of colour and pattern. This will instantly infuse the room with a warm and cheerful ambience.
Citrus Zest Styling Tip #8
Living Energy
Infuse living energy throughout the home with citrus-toned flowers, or bowls of citrus fruits including:
- Orchids
- Sunflowers
- Daffodils
- Marigolds
- Geranium
- Hibiscus 'Eye of Kali'
- Yellow Chrysanthemum
- Bowls of lemons, lime, oranges, or other citrus fruits.
Want more colour palette styling tips? You can explore our colour series here.
Remember, when designing a home you love, the beauty is in the detail
