Pastel yellow is a soft, light shade of yellow that is quite popular in interior design, fashion, and art. Unlike bright, bold yellows, pastel yellow has a muted, delicate appearance that provides a calming effect. When decorating with pastel yellow, it brings feelings of cheerfulness and sunshine into a space without being overpowering. Knowing the specific names used to refer to the various pastel yellow shades can be helpful when trying to choose a paint color, buy fabrics, or discuss color palettes. Let’s explore some of the most common names used for pastel yellow colors.
Common Names for Pastel Yellows
There are many poetic and descriptive names used to refer to the range of light, soft yellows that would be considered “pastel” in nature. Here are some of the most popular ways to refer to these beautiful muted yellow shades:
| Buttercream | A warm, creamy pastel yellow, like the frosting on a cake. |
| Canary | A very light, delicate yellow named after the bird. |
| Champagne | A sparkling, luminous yellow like the bubbly drink. |
| Cornsilk | A yellow reminiscent of fine corn silk fibers. |
| Cream | A soft creamy yellow, paler than buttercream. |
| Daisy | A cheery pastel yellow like the center of a daisy. |
| Eggshell | A pale, off-white yellow like an eggshell. |
| Jonquil | A green-tinged floral pastel yellow. |
| Lemon Chiffon | A light, lemony pale yellow. |
| Maize | A light tan-tinged yellow, like corn kernels. |
| Naples Yellow | A light, warm yellow tinged with orange. |
| Parchment | A muted yellow like ancient paper scrolls. |
| Straw | A yellow evoking fields of dried wheat straw. |
Pastel Yellow Color Codes
In graphic design, architecture, and coding, these pastel yellow shades are often referred to by specific color codes. Here are some common color codes used to identify soft, light yellows:
| HEX #FFFF99 | A very light, lemon-tinged pastel yellow. |
| HEX #FFFFCC | An extremely pale, creamy pastel yellow. |
| HEX #FFF9C4 | A warmer, buttery pastel yellow. |
| HEX #F5F5DC | A beige-influenced pastel yellow. |
| HEX #FAFAD2 | A light tan, parchment-like yellow. |
| HEX #FFFDD0 | A soft, eggy pastel yellow. |
| HEX #FFFACD | A brighter, lemony light yellow. |
| HEX #FFF8E7 | A peach and yellow influenced pastel. |
| HEX #FFFCE9 | A warm, slightly orange, pastel yellow. |
| HEX #FFF9E6 | A creamy, banana-esque pastel yellow. |
Pastel Yellow in Design
The soft, cheerful nature of pastel yellow makes it a popular choice for many design applications. Here are some of the ways these muted yellow shades are often used:
– Interior Design: Pastel yellows like buttercream, daisy, and cornsilk are commonly used in home decor. They create bright, welcoming spaces without being overpowering. Pastel yellows pair nicely with white trim, gray furniture, or pops of colors like blue or green.
– Fashion: Many pastel yellow shades complement a variety of skin tones and hair colors, making them a key color in spring and summer fashion. Pastel yellow clothing, handbags, and accessories offer a soft, pretty look.
– Branding: Companies use pastel yellows to cultivate a warm, friendly brand identity. These muted yellows feel optimistic and approachable.
– Art: Pastel yellow is widely used in painting, colored pencils, and other visual arts to portray sunlight, flowers, soft textures, and luminosity. The pale yellows layer well with other pastel hues.
– Events: For weddings, baby showers, Easter celebrations and more, pastel yellow evokes springtime and new beginnings. Table linens, florals, and details in these soft yellows set a lovely tone.
Psychology of Pastel Yellows
The color psychology associated with pale yellows like these includes:
– Cheerfulness – The light, friendly nature of pastel yellow inspires an uplifted mood.
– Clarity – Soft yellows are associated with mental clarity, intellect, and communication.
– Optimism – Pastel yellows conjure up thoughts of spring and sunshine, cultivating an optimistic perspective.
– Caution – At the same time, pale yellow can also give a sense of caution or warning when used in signage.
– Delicacy – The muted, fragile quality of pastel yellow expresses delicacy and subtlety.
– Wisdom – Light yellows like these can signify wisdom that comes from age and experience.
Conclusion
Pastel yellow encompasses a range of soft, pale yellow hues that share a delicate, cheerful quality. Some of the most popular descriptive names for these colors include buttercream, lemon chiffon, and daisy yellow. Pastel yellows are widely used in interior design, fashion, art, events, and branding to cultivate an optimistic, spring-like mood. Their color psychology includes evoking happiness, clarity, and a subtle sense of wisdom or caution. Whether you’re choosing a paint color or discussing a color palette, knowing the diverse names and meanings associated with pastel yellows can ensure you select just the right sunny shade.
