Move Over Butter Yellow: Ochre Is the Cozy Neutral Designers Are Loving This Fall

If there was one color to make its mark this year, it was butter yellow. But with fall now upon us, this nostalgic shade that bridged the gap between neutrals and bolder color trends is being replaced with its richer and warmer counterpart: ochre.

Offering the same versatility and uplifting feel as butter yellow but with a lot more depth, ochre is the perfect way to decorate with yellow for the fall and winter months, whether you use it as a neutral or in livelier color schemes.

Not only does it create cozy spaces thanks to its warm tones, but it feels grounded and refined, adding richness to traditional and more modern homes alike. Here, we explore all you need to know about decorating with this golden hue, from the best rooms to use it in and some of the best ochre paint shades.

Is Ochre the New Butter Yellow?

'I’m thrilled to see these shades having their moment,' says the color expert Tash Bradley, director of interior design at paint brand Lick, about the golden ochre tones gaining appeal. 'They feel like the perfect complement to the buttery yellows we’ve all been loving, offering a slightly richer, more grounded take on that same joyful warmth.'

'These ochre-rich tones ooze confidence,' Tash continues. 'They look incredible in a living room or snug, especially when you layer them with similar earthy tones in your furnishings and textures.'

And while ochre feels timeless and not overly trend-led, experts say that it's especially fitting for this time of year, adding warmth and coziness to rooms. 'This season is all about adding comfort to the home and rebalancing with warm, serene tones,' explains Helen Shaw, interior color specialist at Benjamin Moore. 'Hues like ochre are resurfacing as popular colors, offering a sandy tone that is both confident and calming.'

'This cozy alternative to butter yellow pairs beautifully with tactile materials, from wicker to appliqué, while acting as a relaxed foil to abstract pattern, painterly finishes, and other rich hues,' says Helen.

How to Decorate With Ochre

There are plenty of stylish ways to add trending ochre to your home this fall, whether you want to go bold by painting the walls or you're looking for some more subtle yellow room ideas. Below, we've rounded up our favorite design projects that use ochre to give you some inspiration.

1. Add Depth to Neutral Rooms With Ochre Furnishings

If you enjoy decorating with neutrals, ochre is a wonderful color to layer through subtle accents and soft furnishings.

'Ochre is one of those rare colors that behaves like a neutral while still having soul,' says Christine Carney, director of design at Tennessee-based Blackberry Farm Design. 'It quietly anchors a space but shifts with the light – echoing the gold of autumn leaves and the warmth of summer sun.'

In this relaxing bedroom, ochre adds depth to the neutral color scheme and offers a sense of coziness, while the overall look remains calm, timeless, and sophisticated. Create a similarly layered look by pairing this Sweater Knit Throw from Crate & Barrel with a velvet lumbar throw pillow.

2. Make a Statement With a Warm Ochre Ceiling

If you want to go bolder with ochre, why not decorate with paint? In this living room designed by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design, Farrow & Ball's India Yellow was used on the ceiling, which adds a fun and unexpected twist.

'We love ochre for its ability to be grounded and energetic all at once,' says Mira Eng-Goetz, lead designer at the design studio based between Paris and Portland. 'Ochre’s complex, golden hue pairs well with so many colors, and we think it’s timeless – after all, it’s an ancient pigment that’s been used by humans since our cave-dwelling days.'

If you're considering incorporating ochre into your paint ideas, there are many stylish color combinations for rooms to explore. 'The rich ochre-toned Bassoon works beautifully with other earthy hues such as Nether Red and Bath Stone, or with true black Jack Black for a high contrast and elegant feel,' advises Ruth Mottershead, Little Greene's creative director.

3. Boost Warmth in Kitchens and Dining Spaces With Ochre

Social spaces such as kitchens, dining rooms, and breakfast nooks can always benefit from mood-boosting color schemes, and ochre does so without coming across as childish.

'Ochre feels like the grown-up evolution of yellow – earthy, rich, and wonderfully grounding,' says the designer Emily Flaxman of Flax Interiors. 'I love using it in spaces that catch natural light, like a breakfast nook, where it radiates warmth without ever feeling too bright. It has a beautiful way of making a room feel sunlit, even on gray days.'

While you may consider decorating with yellow to be too vibrant in certain room orientations, Tash Bradley assures it's a versatile choice. 'Some people shy away from using yellow in west-facing rooms, but honestly, I think that’s exactly where it shines,' she says. 'When that golden, red-tinged sunlight hits the warm undertones in these yellows, the room just comes alive.'

Add a splash of ochre to your dining nook, or even kitchen or island seating with these whimsical striped throw pillows from GreenRow.

4. Add an Unexpected Pop of Ochre for Extra Design Flair

When rooms follow a strict color scheme, they can soon feel bland and lacking in character. Throwing in something slightly unexpected can be just what's needed to keep the room feeling fresh and exciting, and yellow often does just that.

'I love adding ochre into our design projects – it’s a sharp shade that really packs a punch, but at the same time it doesn't feel too risky,' explains the Philadelphia-based interior designer Michelle Gage. 'This happy hue works as a wonderful accent in bedrooms, offices, and living rooms.'

5. Create a Warming Backdrop With Ochre Wallpaper

Think beyond the best yellow paints when looking to incorporate ochre in large doses and consider wallpaper ideas. A well-chosen ochre wallpaper not only brings warmth to a room, but it is also a great way to achieve a more decorative look that aligns with maximalist decor ideas.

'Ochre has a grounded, earthy quality that brings character and depth to a space,' says Cath Beckett, the co-founder of interior design studio Yellow London. 'We often use it on walls or through wallpaper to create a warm, enveloping backdrop that feels sophisticated. It’s especially effective in living or dining areas where you want the space to feel welcoming and distinctive.'

6. Pair Ochre With Wood and Natural Textures

Unlike bright shades of yellow, ochre feels earthy and reminiscent of nature, which means that it works especially well with natural materials, fabrics, and finishes. For example, rich and natural wooden furniture can complement ochre's warmth, while tactile fabrics – think relaxed linens and organic cottons – add texture.

'Ochre is beautiful with walnut, plaster, and natural textiles like linen,' says the interior designer Lauren Saab of Dallas-based Saab Studios, who designed this bedroom with a pop of ochre alongside rich woods. 'The tone adds quiet optimism to spaces that need warmth without heaviness.'

Shop the Ochre Decor Edit

Feeling inspired to bring this warming yellow into your home this fall? Shop our ochre decor edit to bring this trending hue to life.

Elevated and warming, there's lots to love about ochre, and although it's trending, it has a timeless quality that gives it longevity for years to come. To ensure a balanced scheme, explore the colors that go with yellow, which range from soft neutrals to bolder tones.