How to use pastel colours in your home
Soft springtime greens. Blush pale pinks. Simple sky blues. We love the soothing style of pastel colours in nature – but how can you bring this serenity to your home?
If calm yet colourful sounds like your kind of thing, you’ll love a pastel colour scheme. From gentle yellow accents in the kitchen to start your day off right, to peaceful lavender bed decorations for a sumptuous sleep, we’re here to help you build the ultimate pastel home.
Read on for our top eight pastel home décor ideas that’ll bring a calming energy throughout your space.
1. Choose your perfect pastels
Getting the foundations sorted is always the best place to start with any interior décor project, so let’s first choose your preferred pastel colour scheme.
Belair
Chepstow
Gilmorton
Witcombe
There are plenty of pastel paint colours in different shades and hues to choose from, each bringing a unique feel to your home. For example, a baby blue chair effortlessly adds serene beachy vibes to turn your space into a seaside getaway. Prefer to have fun in the sun? A soft yellow or orange sofa brings all the joy of summer to your pastel home décor.
Of course, there’s no need to limit yourself to one or two shades! Create an eclectic spring meadow mood with different hues on each wall or give every room its own individual vibe by switching up the palette in each.
2. Transform empty spaces
Calm looks different to everyone. You might feel most at home in a bustling bedroom space packed with personality and plush cushions to sink into after a long day, or find peace in a pared-back, minimalist room with only the necessities to declutter your daily stress. Consider what soothes your soul, then fill or extend your empty space to your heart’s content.
Do you love a maximalist mood but have an empty space in the corner of your room with no rhyme or reason? One calming pastel bedroom idea we love is to create a cosy reading nook using pastel hues. All you need is a comfy accent chair, a side table, a lamp, and any bits of decoration that may take your fancy.
Remember to add pops of colour with pastel throws, patterned scatter cushions, and fresh flowers to liven up your space – you might even choose a chic pastel chair, like the Demure accent chair in Blush, to create a truly eye-catching corner.
3. Don’t shy away from patterns
Block pastels are surprisingly versatile, so it’s easy to throw a pastel sky blue cushion on a cream sofa and consider it a job well done. But, if you’re searching for something a bit more eye-catching in your pastel living room, patterns are a perfect way to spark more joy in your home.
You can pepper pastel patterns throughout your home in any which way you choose, but one of our favourites is to hang up funky prints. Not only are they an easy way to sprinkle spatters of individuality in your space, but it’s easy to tie them into your pastel colour palette too!
Prefer to cover your walls in happy family memories? You’re in luck – making your photos work with a pastel aesthetic is just as simple. Pick up a few photo frames in soft hues and charming patterns (think a sweet floral print or cheerful polka dots), then use them to frame your pics so they match your décor – easy-peasy!
4. Dress your dining table with pastels
When it comes to pastel home décor, it’s all about the smaller, thoughtful touches. While you might have your living room and bedroom covered, don’t forget to use pastel hues to dress your dining table too.
Placemats, coasters, and table covers are a must here; not only do they add splashes of your chosen pastel colour palette, but they’re also great at protecting your dining table. Food and drink spillages are inevitable – especially with little ones at home – but simple accessories like these will protect your table from hot pots, overflowing cuppas, and stubborn food stains, all while complementing your décor!
You might go for a sage green pastel table cover with matching placemats and coasters – perfect for a country cottage appeal. More of a summer lover? Choose a soft orange hue to emulate the glow of sunset and bring some warmth to your dining set-up. Spoilt for choice? There’s nothing to stop you going full pastel rainbow and picking a different colour for each table accessory! The sky’s the limit when it comes to pastel home décor.
5. Lay rugs over plain flooring
If you’ve got plain hardwood flooring or your carpet isn’t quite matching the rest of your pastel living room, then rugs are the way forward.
Replacing your whole floor is costly, and – let’s be honest – no one wants to spend their weekend ripping up carpet or floorboards. Instead, grab a pastel coloured rug to instantly turn bored and basic flooring into the pastel home décor you’ve been dreaming of.
A baby blue rug in the bedroom to sink your feet into, a blushed pink runner in the hallway to welcome your guests with warmth and joy, or a violet sprawling number in the living room – the choice is yours!
6. Pick pastel bedroom furniture
After some pastel bedroom ideas? You’re in the right place!
It sounds simple, but picking up pastel bedroom furniture really is the easiest way to create your perfect pastel home décor. Picture opening your eyes to a subtle pink wardrobe or popping your books away on a powder blue bookshelf – soft, serene, and the ideal setting for sleep.
And don’t forget about your bed of course! As the eye-catching centrepiece of your pastel bedroom, you’ll want to make sure it suits both your aesthetic and comfy, cosy needs. Our ottoman beds are a great choice for a pastel bedroom – they come in all sorts of soft fabrics that can be personalised to suit your palette. Once you’ve settled on the bed frame that’s just right for you, let your design desires run wild with plenty of patterned and pastel bedding to soothe the senses.
7. Accessorise with pastel hues
Looking to add smaller pops of pastel to your existing décor for a calming vibe? From pastel living room ideas to soft colour furnishings in your bedroom, accessories are the best way to put the finishing touches on your dream home.
Accessories can mean anything from posters to ornaments – it’s all about what catches your eye and speaks to your personality. Funky animal-themed ornaments in contrasting pastel shades are just perfect for a maximalist entertaining space, but something more subtle like a glossy pastel ceramic might work better in a contemporary chic living room.
But the pastel living room ideas don’t stop there! Biophilic décor is effortlessly elevated by pastel flowers in art deco-inspired vases, while candle holders in pastel shades help to create the ultimate cosy vibe in your cottagey space. With a bit of luck – and lots of browsing – you’re sure to find the perfect missing puzzle piece to bring calming pastel vibes to your home.
8. Use lighting to enhance your pastel colour scheme
Pastel shades are beautiful on their own, but the right lighting can take your pastel home décor to the next level. Soft, warm lighting helps pastel colours feel even more calming and cosy, making your space a tranquil retreat to relax in after a long day.
Try swapping harsh white bulbs for warmer-toned alternatives to create a gentle glow across your space. One lovely pastel bedroom idea is to drape some fairy lights across your room to bathe the space in a soothing glow. Even just adding a soft bedside lamp will make your pastel bedroom feel dreamy and relaxing.
That’s your bedroom lighting sorted, but what about your lounge? A pastel living room idea we love is to place lights with pastel lampshades on coffee tables and surfaces around your space. It’s a wonderful way to bring colour into your living room, without overwhelming your décor.
Pastel colours FAQs
What pastel colour palettes work well with a neutral sofa?
When pairing with neutrals, it’s most important to consider the undertones of your colours. For neutrals with brown, orange or red undertones, choose pale blues, sage greens and soft pastel lavenders for a cohesive, cosy spring colour palette. Conversely, blue and green-toned neutrals look best with soft peaches, pastel reds and blush pinks.
How do pastel colours affect the mood of a living space?
The colour palette of your home goes a long way in setting the mood in your space. Rich, dark colours exude the kind of intrigue and luxury that feels at home in an enchanted mansion, while bright splashes of primary colours feel exciting and youthful to the senses.
A pastel colour palette takes advantage of the optimistic, cheerful energy inspired by brighter colours and presents it in a softer, more soothing mood. Turn to warmer pastels such as peaches and yellows to add light-hearted joy to your space, or consider cool blues, greens and lavenders for a peaceful, serene vibe
What pastel colours go together well?
Pastel colours work best when they feel calm and balanced rather than busy. For a warm yet playful look, try pairing blush pink and soft greys in one colour scheme, while sage green works particularly well with warm whites. Powder blue also pairs beautifully with neutrals, such as cream or stone, as does a soft lavender.
The trick to getting the right balance is to choose one main pastel as your foundation, and then let the other pastels subtly shine through accessories or smaller accents.
Peaceful pastels not your thing? Explore alternative styles including everything from chic coquette core to all-black interiors on our inspiration page or trend hub.
