Steve Carrell's Early-2000s House Color is Having a Major Renaissance in 2026 – It's The Definitive Exterior Paint Shade to Watch
Before butter yellow was an interior trend, it adorned the outside of every house in the 2000s – including Steve Carrell's
In the early 2000s, you couldn't look both ways without seeing a yellow house. Though the last decade has seen the rise of more muted, earthy palettes, we're seeing a surge of nostalgia causing homeowners to turn back to the colors they loved in the noughties in 2026, ushering in a resurgence of yellow paint.
A 2005 photoshoot of Steve Carrell at his Studio City, Los Angeles home reveals that even the world's most famous actors embraced the buttery shade at the beginning of the millennium. The actor's siding rejoices in a sunshiney exterior paint color. Steve contrasts the shade with white details and navy patio furniture. As we move into 2026, Homes & Gardens predicts we'll see much more of the color that The Office star pioneered 21 years ago.
To explore the rising popularity of yellow paint, we spoke with a variety of paint and design experts on the color shifts they're seeing. We also curated an edit of butter yellow outdoor furniture, so you can easily emulate Steve's look with just a few low-lift additions to your patio. Let's begin with Steve Carell's house below.
Steve Carrell at his Los Angeles Home, 2005
Shop The Yellow Outdoor Edit
You don't need to paint your entire house to add a pop of yellow to the exterior of your home. These butter yellow outdoor furnishings are our editors' picks for adding the shade to your design without much commitment.
A bolster is the most elegant choice for outdoor seating, and this pretty linen one has elegant stripes and ruffles for a fun, feminine finish. I love the idea of layering it on a white lounger for a cohesive look.
In cream and golden yellow plaid, the Amherst Handwoven Rug uses a popular crisscross pattern and long, delicate fringe to give warmth and motion to your patio. Soft to the touch and loomed with recycled polyester, this butter yellow rug has no pile and is easy to clean – perfect for high-traffic indoor or outdoor areas.
Inspired by vintage dolly tubs, these fluted planters are hand-crafted from lightweight fiber concrete. This frost-resistant material allows the planters to be stored outside over the winter when emptied and placed upside down.
For a really fashionable choice, La DoubleJ's 'Baby Bubble' candlestick holder makes for the perfect addition to your summer tablescape. Handmade in Murano, Venice, by expert glassmakers, it has a unique, retro look that would be the perfect complement to twisted candlesticks.
I've been loving the trend of adding rechargeable lamps to a tablescape, and this pretty mid-century style butter yellow one is ideal for late summer evenings. It can be effortlessly transported between house and garden for a piece that will stand out wherever you place it.
Make every summer gathering at your home instantly chic this summer with a stylish gingham tablecloth. The cotton-linen material makes for a natural feel while the bright yellow surface feels playfully modern.
So, how did butter yellow paints become the defining shade of this year? 'In the last year, rich earthy and softer stone tones have ascended in popularity with colors influenced by the land, and we see this continuing into 2026,' explains Caroline Thornborough, Design Director at paint brand Thorndown. 'The desire to escape into the country and be enveloped by nature is a strong urge in this digital world where work and constant notifications can dominate life.'
She continues: 'But we are also seeing pops of vibrant colors appearing as a strong rebellion to the world of grey, brightening up homes and lives by adding instant impact and drama.'
Butter yellow toes the line between these two trends. It feels earthy and relaxing, but it also brightens the exterior of a home, existing in this continuum of the desire for aliveness with the imperative for neutrals. It feels colorful but not too risky, allaying fears of diminishing resale value.
We're also seeing soft yellows like on the outside of Steve's home infiltrate interior design trends this summer. Design expertShelley Cochrane advises: 'This season, homeowners are taking interior inspiration from the sun-drenched lemon groves of Italy, where vibrant citrus hues and golden sunshine inspire an effortlessly uplifting atmosphere. Zesty shades of yellow bring warmth, brightness, and optimism into the home, instantly refreshing any space with a cheerful Mediterranean feel.'
For those who want to decorate with yellow, Shelley recommends that readers 'embrace the relaxed, lived-in character of this look by layering tactile, natural materials such as frayed linen bedding, woven rugs and baskets, and rustic wooden accents.'
She continues: 'Complete the look with a touch of greenery, to create an interior that feels welcoming, carefree, and full of sunshine. This look works well throughout the home, but especially in the bedroom, where the vibrant citrus tones deliver a dopamine hit first thing, which is often much-needed in our unpredictable climate.'
Whether it's through the paint on the outside of your home or the decor inside it, soft, buttery yellows are still going strong for 2026.
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