Decorating
Colour: 12 Ways to Give Pastels a Contemporary Spin
Give sugary shades a modern edge and surround yourself with sophisticated sorbets
If you have a penchant for pale pinks and hues of powder blue, but don’t want a look that’s too feminine and flouncy, check out these modern ways with pastels. Contemporary designers are mixing sherbet lemon and sugar pink with grown-up metallic greys and fresh white, and applying them to all sorts of furniture styles, from quirky retro and heavy industrial to clean-lined leather designs, to create interiors that are sweet but sophisticated.
Show your stripes
Striped fabrics and wallpapers are visually sharp, confident and strong – but choosing a pastel-based pattern makes for a sweeter, less in-your-face effect. A striped wall, blind or upholstered piece of furniture are all good ways to add a modern splash of colour to an otherwise plain white or monotone scheme.
Look out for multi-striped wallpapers and textiles that have lines of various widths, such as a barcode- or deckchair-style stripe, to add further interest.
Striped fabrics and wallpapers are visually sharp, confident and strong – but choosing a pastel-based pattern makes for a sweeter, less in-your-face effect. A striped wall, blind or upholstered piece of furniture are all good ways to add a modern splash of colour to an otherwise plain white or monotone scheme.
Look out for multi-striped wallpapers and textiles that have lines of various widths, such as a barcode- or deckchair-style stripe, to add further interest.
Work an industrial mash-up
The natural softness of pastel shades can be used to add a warm touch to an otherwise heavy industrial aesthetic. The mint tint to this trompe l’oeil wallpaper depicting vintage tin ceiling tiles is a start, but when combined with the stronger green of the cushions and the pinky-beige headboard, the effect is super-soft and welcoming.
You could apply the same principle to other industrial detailing, with baby blue metro tiles, candy-coloured brickwork or lemon painted metal café chairs. Use paint colour cards to play about with pastel combinations that give you a good feeling, then layer them up to keep them looking welcoming.
The natural softness of pastel shades can be used to add a warm touch to an otherwise heavy industrial aesthetic. The mint tint to this trompe l’oeil wallpaper depicting vintage tin ceiling tiles is a start, but when combined with the stronger green of the cushions and the pinky-beige headboard, the effect is super-soft and welcoming.
You could apply the same principle to other industrial detailing, with baby blue metro tiles, candy-coloured brickwork or lemon painted metal café chairs. Use paint colour cards to play about with pastel combinations that give you a good feeling, then layer them up to keep them looking welcoming.
Build in some surprise
A dash of colour can add a sense of the unexpected, and the minty green of this island unit creates a cool statement and adds a splash of zingy colour to the otherwise neutral scheme.
The unusual shape of the island gives the room a space age feel, but the mood is welcoming because of the warmth of the wooden units.
Discover more ideas for adding pastels to your kitchen
A dash of colour can add a sense of the unexpected, and the minty green of this island unit creates a cool statement and adds a splash of zingy colour to the otherwise neutral scheme.
The unusual shape of the island gives the room a space age feel, but the mood is welcoming because of the warmth of the wooden units.
Discover more ideas for adding pastels to your kitchen
Take a gradual approach
The ombre effect is a great way of using pastels in a contemporary setting and is ideal for adding subtle interest to flat surfaces. It looks great on this wall of cupboard doors, but would work equally well on the risers of a painted staircase – or anywhere that will show off a graduated change in colour.
It’s a clever way to add depth to a minimally furnished space, and can be used to make a tiny room seem longer, since the tonal softness avoids hard lines chopping up the space.
The ombre effect is a great way of using pastels in a contemporary setting and is ideal for adding subtle interest to flat surfaces. It looks great on this wall of cupboard doors, but would work equally well on the risers of a painted staircase – or anywhere that will show off a graduated change in colour.
It’s a clever way to add depth to a minimally furnished space, and can be used to make a tiny room seem longer, since the tonal softness avoids hard lines chopping up the space.
Use it as the standout shade
When used with pure white, even a soft shade of colour will appear visually stronger than it actually is. Use this to create definition in compact or unusual-shaped rooms and to emphasise architectural elements, such as wood cladding or shelving.
For a contemporary feel, look out for low sheen ‘flat’ paint options for woodwork, rather than traditional gloss.
When used with pure white, even a soft shade of colour will appear visually stronger than it actually is. Use this to create definition in compact or unusual-shaped rooms and to emphasise architectural elements, such as wood cladding or shelving.
For a contemporary feel, look out for low sheen ‘flat’ paint options for woodwork, rather than traditional gloss.
Create a pastel patchwork
Reupholster your sofa or chair cushions in different shades of powder pastels for a modern take on these classic 1950s shades. Even if you’re upcycling a vintage piece, this patchwork twist will give it a contemporary look. Keep it fresh with brilliant white walls that will really make the powder shades zing.
Explore more inspiring upcycling projects
Reupholster your sofa or chair cushions in different shades of powder pastels for a modern take on these classic 1950s shades. Even if you’re upcycling a vintage piece, this patchwork twist will give it a contemporary look. Keep it fresh with brilliant white walls that will really make the powder shades zing.
Explore more inspiring upcycling projects
Stick to one accent
For a modern twist on some of the softest pastel shades, such as fondant pink or baby blue, be a pastel minimalist and choose a single colour as an accent against a neutral backdrop of, say, pure white and blond wood. This will ensure you achieve a clean, fresh look but one that is welcoming, too.
Look out for modern styles of furniture in your chosen accent colour and make a bold visual statement by repeating the same shade in just one other accessory in the room, such as an artwork or rug.
For a modern twist on some of the softest pastel shades, such as fondant pink or baby blue, be a pastel minimalist and choose a single colour as an accent against a neutral backdrop of, say, pure white and blond wood. This will ensure you achieve a clean, fresh look but one that is welcoming, too.
Look out for modern styles of furniture in your chosen accent colour and make a bold visual statement by repeating the same shade in just one other accessory in the room, such as an artwork or rug.
Update a classic combination
The classic 1950s palette mixed ice cream shades of pistachio, lemon, baby blue and bubblegum pink. Bring this combination up to date in a modern scheme with contemporary furniture in deluxe finishes, such as high-gloss laminate, shiny metals or coloured leather.
The classic 1950s palette mixed ice cream shades of pistachio, lemon, baby blue and bubblegum pink. Bring this combination up to date in a modern scheme with contemporary furniture in deluxe finishes, such as high-gloss laminate, shiny metals or coloured leather.
Keep it small and sweet
Add a dash of colour in even the tiniest and most contemporary of rooms. A simple splashback in soft shades of pale green in a kitchen or bathroom is a great way of adding a punch of colour to an all-white space.
This works particularly well in a bathroom, where shades of pastel green in tiling can be used to complement green-tinged glass accessories, such as mirrors and vanity unit tops.
Add a dash of colour in even the tiniest and most contemporary of rooms. A simple splashback in soft shades of pale green in a kitchen or bathroom is a great way of adding a punch of colour to an all-white space.
This works particularly well in a bathroom, where shades of pastel green in tiling can be used to complement green-tinged glass accessories, such as mirrors and vanity unit tops.
Think sophisticated pink
Pale pink can be made to look elegant and grown-up when teamed with black and neutral shades. The lilac hues in pink naturally complement exotic woods, such as teak and mahogany.
Shades of violet and pink have been found by some colour psychologists to be calming, and others also believe they encourage clear thinking and creativity, so consider introducing them into a home office or study area. Formal pieces of furniture and graphic artwork in black frames will offset the softness to counter any fussiness.
Pale pink can be made to look elegant and grown-up when teamed with black and neutral shades. The lilac hues in pink naturally complement exotic woods, such as teak and mahogany.
Shades of violet and pink have been found by some colour psychologists to be calming, and others also believe they encourage clear thinking and creativity, so consider introducing them into a home office or study area. Formal pieces of furniture and graphic artwork in black frames will offset the softness to counter any fussiness.
Delight in Deco
Powder shades of pastel don’t have to look frilly and cute. These tones nicely complement Art Deco-inspired interiors, and the sophisticated combination is a sleek way to add glamour to a room.
Seek out Art Deco designs with plenty of the style’s trademark graphic element, which adds a clean-lined feel to softer, barely there shades, such as shell pink and soft violet.
TELL US…
How do you feel about pastel interiors? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Powder shades of pastel don’t have to look frilly and cute. These tones nicely complement Art Deco-inspired interiors, and the sophisticated combination is a sleek way to add glamour to a room.
Seek out Art Deco designs with plenty of the style’s trademark graphic element, which adds a clean-lined feel to softer, barely there shades, such as shell pink and soft violet.
TELL US…
How do you feel about pastel interiors? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Play with paint effects and subtle changes in shades of colour as a way of adding definition to a pale pastel room scheme. Use blocks of similar paint shades on a wall to create a modern alternative to the ombre effect, and team with boxy-shaped furniture with clean, straight lines to emphasise the effect.
Pastel shades are also great for zoning spaces intended for different purposes in an open-plan interior. Use two colours with either similar warm or similar cool tones to link the spaces but still create a gentle sense of separation.