With their playful nature and mood-boosting qualities, pastels are capable of elevating a room to create the most sophisticated of looks, and what better time to introduce them than spring.
Styling pastel colours to create an adventurous space that suits your personal style has never been easier. It’s time to ditch the dark winter hues and welcome the most joyful of shades as we prepare for longer days and brighter skies. Cleanse your colour palette with our top tips on how to create your very own pastel-inspired home, whether you want to add it to your bedroom, living room, dining room or home office.
How do I style pastels?
Start small and build up
Parquet bedside table | @new_build_forever_home
If you’re nervous about overloading your room with pastel shades, start small with accessories and soft furnishings like cushions and throws for a low commitment take on the pastel trend.
Layer pastels on pastels
Romsey sideboard | @herandhers_
If, on the other hand, you’re looking to embrace the Danish pastel aesthetic with open arms, start with a solid base. This could be your favourite pastel shade such as pink or blue, or a neutral colour from which to bulk out your pastel colour palette. From here you can build outwards, incorporating a variety of pastel hues to suit your personal style.
Pair pastels with patterns
For a cottagecore approach to the pastel trend, pair your chosen hues with floral prints. Look for motifs that incorporate bolder versions of your pastel shade to seamlessly tie your room decor together.
Make pastels a feature piece
Parquet sideboard | @roseontherow
Use pastel colours to highlight a focal point in your room. Transform a door into a pastel pink portal or paint a feature wall your favourite shade of baby blue.
What colours go well with pastels?
Bevel chest of drawers | @farmhouse_by_the_brook
The best thing about pastel shades is that they share the same pale undertones, which make them very easy to match with prints, patterns, and each other.
Here are some of our favourite colour combinations using pastel shades:
Pastel pink and a dusty rose
Pastel pink, grey and white
Mint green and pastel pink
Mint green and warm ivory shades
Mint green, white, peach and pops of forest green
Mint, white and pops of yellow
Peach and teal blue
Peach, white and navy blue
Mustard yellow and pastel blue
Navy and tan with pastel blue
If none of these are for you, don’t worry. There are many ways to embrace a full spectrum of colour when decorating with pastels.
Play with contrast and saturation
Highgate bed | Highgate bedside table | @laurasreadingnook_
The beauty of pastel colours lies in their versatility. They can be bright and bold, yet with an adjustment of their saturation, can also be subtle and airy.
Play on this versatility by adding pops of darker colours for an adventurous contrast that adds depth and makes your home look effortlessly chic. Pair pastel pinks with chocolate browns and maroons, or add licks of navy and forest green to baby blue hues.
Go tonal
Gainsborough sofa | @home_made_with_l0ve
If there’s a particular pastel shade that you’ve fallen in love with, why not go all in? Choose paint, furniture, furnishings and accessories in various tones of the same colour for a look that celebrates your favourite pastel shade in style.
Combine pastels and brights
Original Rustic chest | @jo_at_the_cottage
Pairing the lighter hues of pastels with their bold counterparts is a great way to add variety to your home without worrying too much about whether your chosen colours match.
Feeling adventurous? Step out of your comfort zone and layer pastel shades with bright opposing colours; think pastel pinks with bold emerald greens, or light yellows with vibrant orange shades. While it may take a little longer to determine successful combinations, the result is a layered and exciting palette that brings out the best in colourful decor.
Ground pastels with neutrals and naturals
Evie loveseat | @barn_owls_and_butterflies
For a look that embraces the playful nature of pastels with an element of classic sophistication, pair your colourful shades with neutral hues like white, grey, and cream. These can help to add balance to the room so that the pastel shades complement rather than overwhelm the overall feel.
Another way to tone down pastel decor is by incorporating natural textures. Choose wooden furniture, woven accessories, and add dried flowers to keep your pastel shades intentionally subtle. Sometimes, less really is more.
Pastels and monochrome
Hove dresser | Hove bedside table | @danielle.lisle
If you’re looking for something bolder that’s guaranteed to match, pairing pastel colours with black and white prints is a great way to make them pop.
Whatever your personal style, there’s a way to introduce pastel colours into your decor just in time for spring. Follow us on Instagram for more seasonal styling tips and be sure to show us how you use pastels by tagging us in your posts at #OakFurnitureland.
