Explaining the Viral Yellow Curtain Trend

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How yellow curtains can brighten a room and your mood

Co-authored by Garrison Hullinger and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: March 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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What is the yellow curtain effect?

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How It Works

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Achieving the Effect

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Have you ever walked into a room with yellow curtains and immediately felt happier? Then you’ve experienced the yellow curtain effect! This interior design strategy is going viral on TikTok, as users discover that yellow curtains are an easy way to brighten a room. Keep reading as we explain what the yellow curtain effect is, how it works, and how to achieve it.

An Overview of the Yellow Curtain Effect

The yellow curtain effect is a viral interior design strategy in which yellow curtains are used to brighten a room or make it more cozy. The curtains filter natural light to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. The cheerful color can also improve your mood. This design strategy is extremely popular on TikTok.

Section 1 of 3:

What is the yellow curtain effect?

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The yellow curtain effect is an interior design strategy that brightens a room. Yellow curtains filter natural light to create a warm, sunny atmosphere, especially on dark, cold days. The yellow curtain effect has been going viral on TikTok as users discover that using sheer yellow curtains brightens their mood and makes their home feel cozy.
- For example, this video by TikToker @jessturnspages shows the yellow curtains in her bedroom with the caption “POV: your sheer yellow curtains turn your whole room into serotonin.”
- This TikTok by @sam.alvizar shows how yellow curtains make a room feel cozier.
- This TikTok by @hallieelanaa shows the yellow curtain effect with the caption “I would’ve never thought to get yellow/orange curtains… but this room is literally showering everything in golden sunlight right now and it looks [like] this all day, no matter what time.”

Section 2 of 3:

Why do yellow curtains brighten a room?

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Because sunlight has a natural, warm tone, yellow curtains can mimic natural light. Even on cloudy days, the natural light filters through the curtains’ fabric, making the light appear warmer than it would without the curtains.
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Yellow is a happy color. In addition to physically brightening a room, yellow curtains can brighten your mood because of the color’s psychological associations. Yellow frequently symbolizes happiness, hope, and spontaneity, so being around it can make you feel more cheerful.^{[1]
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- Yellow has been shown to energize people and relieve depression.^{[2]
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Achieve the Yellow Curtain Effect

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Choose a shade of yellow that you like. While yellow is generally considered a happy color, it can also lead to negative feelings, like frustration. Some studies even suggest that babies cry more when they’re in a yellow room.^{[3]
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Research source} To keep the lighthearted, cheerful effect, it might be best to go for a light, pastel yellow, but choose whatever shade speaks to you.
- Certain shades of green or orange can also make a room look cozy, so consider other colors if you’re not a big fan of yellow!
If your curtains are too thick and heavy, you might not get the result you want since light won’t be able to pass through as easily. Instead, opt for sheer curtains or those made from light-filtering materials, such as cotton or linen.
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Hang the curtains in a room that needs more energy. While you can hang your yellow curtains wherever you want, think about where they’d be most beneficial. It’s usually best to hang these curtains in a room that needs more energy, such as the living room, kitchen, or a home office.
- You can also hang yellow curtains in a bedroom to create a cozy vibe, but the warm colors may make it harder to rest and relax!