6 Ways to Lighten Up Your Home with Pastels

Pastels are like neutrals, but even prettier! They look great anywhere in your home, and they’re easy to pair with existing pieces you love. Touches here and there with a throw tossed on the sofa and a print on the wall can make you feel like you’re living in spring all year. At Pottery Barn, we’re here to help incorporate some versatile pastels into your home decor with these ideas. 

Blending Pastels and Finishes

Pastels are soft, subdued colors with milky or clear overtones that are relaxing to the eye. Certain pastels look fresh and modern or soft and vintage when paired with various metal or wood finishes. Create a crisp and clean coastal look of soft blue walls with bathroom accessories, hardware and lighting fixtures in nickel finishes. Many households tend to have some brown wood furniture, too. Pastels work well with lighter colored wood finishes to a create a cottagey ambience. And, pastels contrasted with richer, darker woods, like cherry or mahogany, are a sophisticated blend.

Mixing Pastel Colors

One way to quickly blend pastel colors is by adding in various tones of solid accent pillows. For a sofa, use pillows of the same shape and fabric to create a cohesive palette. For beds, mix and match shapes and textures. Always look to your furniture to see if there are pastels in the design that you can pull out and highlight with pillows. If your sofa, chairs or bedding is solid, you have extra room for experimentation with pastel palettes. 

Using Dark Pastels

The darker side of pastel includes more saturated than muted. They’re usually just shy of being defined as jewel tones. Think sherbet tones such as turquoise, lime, and tangerine. You can use them to brighten a neutral space. Pairing darker pastel color accessories, such as throws, pillows and table lamps with black and white upholstery creates an eye-popping ambience. 

The Neutral Pastels

A pastel paired with white or off-white can create a two-toned neutral palette in your home. White and pastels in your draperies or rugs creates a dual neutral foundation or backdrop. Then, you can introduce other darker-toned accessories. When developing a two-toned neutral palette for your room, introduce soft stripes, florals or other patterns. Use your chosen pastel colors and pull in an accent color. The patterns will create layers and textures throughout your space.

Toning Down Pastels

If you love a room full of pastels, you may choose to offset the sweetness of the colors with neutral window treatments. Soft gray velvet, pure white silk and textured camel-color linen drapery all work well to temper the light look of a pastel-infused room. Layered window treatments, such as white sheers under velvet drapes pooled at the floor, add a lush, warm touch to a space.

Another way to harmonize other decor with your pastel upholstered furniture is to use patterned accent pillows. A sofa dotted with accent pillows embellished with embroidery, appliques or beads do the job well. They’re warm and welcoming but with a subtle twist of contrasting color that catches the eye.

Gender-Free Pastels

You may love pastels, but does your partner? If not, there are ways to enjoy pastels in your shared spaces without making things too light. Appeal to multiple preferences with stylish pastels paired with bold, graphic-patterned bedding. Keep walls and flooring a true neutral and add bedding that picks up everyone’s favorite color families. Pair a gingham black-and-white comforter with darker pastel shams and throws. Add pastel sheets with a reversible pastel paisley and plaid comforter or patchwork quilt. Partner both of your favorite color choices to design the sanctuary of your dreams.