Forget boring brown – butter yellow is the new go-to shed colour. The sunshine shade has been everywhere over the past couple of years, from kettles and kitchenware to walls and furniture, and it shows no signs of disappearing even when it comes to our gardens.
'An easy way to make the most of your outside space is to give it a pop of colour – and a garden shed is the perfect opportunity to do this,' says Michael Rolland, paint expert and managing director at The Paint Shed. 'Whether you choose a single colour or take on a print, a fresh coat of paint is a simple way to bring life into your garden.'
Here, we share why butter yellow is a beautiful option for garden sheds, as well as how to apply it and style it.
Why is butter yellow an on-trend shed colour?
Butter yellow has become one of this year's standout exterior colours because it offers a softer alternative to brighter shades, while still bringing personality to a garden.
'As a lighter shade, it also helps reflect natural light, making smaller gardens feel brighter and more open, while giving sheds a fresh, inviting appearance,' says Christopher Murphy MBE, garden building specialist and founder of Dunster House. 'It's cheerful without being overpowering, making it particularly effective on garden buildings where homeowners can be a little more playful with colour.'
The trend also ties into the continued popularity of romantic, traditional garden styles. These embrace uplifting hues and abundant planting, making butter yellow a natural fit for creating that timeless yet welcoming feel.
How to apply it
Before applying any paint to a shed, start by cleaning it with a stiff brush and soapy water, then leave it to dry. From here, sand away any flaky paint. Once you've done this, apply two coats using a brush or roller.
When applying any paint colour to your shed, it's particularly important to choose the right finish.
'Farrow & Ball's exterior eggshell works great for wood and metals,' says Michael. 'When painting brick walls or any other type of masonry, opt for Farrow & Ball's exterior masonry.'
For the best durability on any other elements, you may want to opt for a full gloss option, as this is non-porous. It also reflects light better than other finishes – perfect for maximising the sunshine effect in your garden.
How to style a butter yellow shed
Lean into the English country or cottage garden look with weathered timber, terracotta pots and overflowing borders filled with lavender, foxgloves, roses, and daisies.
'The soft yellow should act as a backdrop rather than dominating the space,' says Christopher. 'Also, with colourful flower beds topping homeowners’ dream garden wish lists recently, it's a colour that complements the type of planting people are increasingly looking to create, rather than competing with it.'
Living in a smaller space without a shed? There is still ample opportunity to bring butter yellow in. Furniture and flower pots can be painted with the cheerful hue for statement and subtle pops of it.
No matter how you choose to bring it in, it is safe to say butter yellow isn’t going anywhere – and we're thrilled to see it continue to add colour and cheer both inside and out.
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