What are pastel colours? Here's how to use them

Pastel colours keep popping up in interiors, and for good reason. They're easy to spot, yet calming to have around, and they can be used in anything from a throw to a vase without taking over. Many people avoid them, though, because they're worried their home will end up looking like a nursery.

In this guide, you'll get a clear definition of pastel colours, an overview of the most-used shades, and practical advice on how to mix them with neutral and earthy tones so the result feels stylish rather than childish.

What exactly are pastel colours?

Pastel colours are light, muted shades that look like a colour mixed with a lot of white. It's the large amount of white that gives the colour its soft, muted look, whether the starting point is red, blue or yellow. What all pastel colours have in common is low saturation and high lightness, and that's exactly what makes them easier to combine than the saturated primary colours. A pastel colour takes up visually less space in the room, even though it still adds life and character.

The most-used pastel colours

Some pastel shades come up again and again in interiors because they're easy to work with and suit many styles. The most-used are:

• Pink
• Mint
• Light blue
• Light yellow
• Lavender

You don't need to use all five at once. Instead, pick one or two that suit your room, and let them recur in several details.

How to stop pastel colours looking childish

Pastel colours look less childish when combined with darker neutral tones, wood or brass. A pastel colour on its own can quickly start to resemble a nursery, but pair it with a dark sofa, a dark wood table or a brass candlestick, and the look instantly becomes grown-up and considered. The rule is simple: the more saturated and dark the counterpart is, the more sophisticated the pastel looks next to it.

Combinations: pastel with pastel, black and white, and earthy tones

There are several ways to combine pastel colours, depending on the look you're after.

• Pastel with pastel: two or three pastel colours that sit close to one another, like pink and lavender, create a soft, harmonious look.
• Pastel with black and white: a single pastel colour set against black and white gets a clean, modern look, where the pastel is allowed to be the only splash of colour.
• Pastel with earthy tones: here, softness meets earthiness, and the result is warm without becoming sweet. A good example is a cotton throw in pink and brown from EJA, where the light pastel and the darker earthy tone work together within the same piece of fabric.

You can read more about how different colours work together in our guide on which colours go together in the home.

Pastel colours in the home: textiles, ceramics and candles

The easiest way to bring pastel colours into your home is through textiles, ceramics and lighting, because they're easy to swap out if you change your mind. A throw in the Quilt Ethnic pattern with pink and tigers from EJA gives a bold pastel touch over a sofa, while a throw with a small flower in yellow and pink from EJA is a softer alternative if you want to keep things more subdued.

On the shelf or coffee table, a pink fish vase in ceramic from Kersten or a purple-pink striped vase in ceramic from GiftCompany can add colour without taking up too much space. A pink-red striped vase in ceramic from GiftCompany can easily stand alongside it if you want more shades from the same family. Candlesticks in a calm material like brass or dark metal tie it all together and keep the look grown-up.

See the full range in our vases and candlesticks, if you want to put together your own combination.

Tips for getting started with pastel colours

You don't need to change your whole home to get started. Start with one item, for example a throw or a vase, and see how the colour works in the room before you add more. Also stick to a maximum of three pastel colours at a time, and let them reappear in several places in the room, so it looks thought-through rather than random.

If you want a complete overview of how to choose and put together a whole palette for your home, you can read our colour guide for the home.

Summary

Pastel colours are light, muted shades that look best when kept to a few pieces and set against darker neutral tones, wood or brass. Start small with a throw or a vase, stick to a maximum of three pastel colours, and let them reappear in several places in the room.

Read also

• Which colours go together in the home?
• Colour guide for the home: How to choose the right palette
• Colourful interior design: Against the dull white home
• Romantic interior design: Create atmosphere at home