How to Combine Pastel Colours in Your Home Décor
Pastel colours are ready to take their rightful place in the modern home, no longer confined to the retro-inspired aesthetics of the 50s and 60s.
In fact, we identified playful pastel colourways as one of the latest spring interior trends, especially when paired with curved sofas. However, a pastel living room can be a little tricky to get just right. Too much can feel flat; too little can get lost in the rest of the décor.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll explore how to combine these softer colours in a way to ensure your pastel home décor is equal parts playful, stylish, and grown-up.
What are pastel colours?
Pastel colours are softer, paler shades that have been created by adding white to the pigment. We’re talking about the likes of minty greens, sky blues, buttery yellows, and blush pinks – hues that have that gentler, more washed-out feel.
Of course, we know you’re already familiar with these soothing shades. But did you also know that opting for a pastel living room can completely transform your space, often with just a few choice additions?
Pastels can soften hard lines and help open up a space without draining it of personality. In Scandi-inspired interiors, they bring warmth and subtle contrast to crisp whites and pale woods. In maximalist or retro schemes, they offer a tonal balance that stops things from veering too far into chaos. And in minimalist or contemporary settings, they create a nuanced alternative to sterile neutrals. In short, pastel home décor can do soft and striking in equal measure - it just depends how you pair it.
Which pastel colours go together?
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to pair pastel tones with confidence, this is where it gets exciting. We’re going to break down the best colour combinations for different pastel shades, ensuring you always know how to coordinate or contrast your décor.
What colours go with pastel green?
Pastel greens really come into their own when paired with earthy neutral shades, such as a sandy beige or cosy cream sofa. These close combinations emphasise the calming and serene vibes of green, perfect for those who want to create a more laid-back living room environment. Alternatively, for a fresh and almost unexpected feel, try pairing pastel green with lilac or dusty rose, giving a romantic glow to your space.
What colours go with pastel yellow?
Pastel yellow can brighten up any room on its own – but it also plays well with other shades and hues. For example, you can create a more balanced colour scheme by pairing with powder blue or soft lilac, ensuring the yellow doesn’t overwhelm your pastel living room. You can also ground this brighter shade with hints of grey or charcoal, perhaps with an accent chair or smaller 2 seater sofa.
What colours go with pastel blue?
There’s a good argument to say that pastel blue is the most versatile of these softer shades. You can keep it clean by coordinating with a white or grey sofa – or you can go bigger and bolder with a pink sofa contrast that’s so Miami Sunset. Perfect for those who have fallen head over heels for our Modern Coastal range.
What colours go with pastel pink?
Pastel pink can often be dismissed as a hue more suited to children’s rooms and nurseries – but there’s actually a softness and sophistication to this shade that others struggle to match. Add grounded (yet still elegant) accents with an olive or sage green armchair or pair with an orange fabric sofa to bring warmth to the space. Be sure to go all out with textured fabrics, such as boucle and velvet, as well as those layered accessories.
What colours go with pastel purple?
Now we’re onto the likes of lavender, lilac, and mauve – the paler purples that help you create a truly expressive pastel living room. You can opt for the brighter shades that up the energy in your décor, such as buttery yellow or a soft orange, which always leave a big impression. Don’t worry, you can go for a more restrained look too, pairing the pastel purple with more muted foundations, like a brown leather sofa or a grey corner sofa.
5 quick tips for decorating a pastel living room
So, you’ve found your favourite shades - now it’s time to pull them together.
The following final expert tips will help you curate a pastel living room that’s full of texture, personality and cohesion:
- Introduce pastel colours with fabric sofas and chairs: Upholstery in powdery tones gives you a great base to build from without overwhelming the space.
- Balance your palette with neutral accents: Once you’ve sorted the pastel colour combos, use pale woods, whitewashed walls, or natural accents to help keep things grounded.
- Choose one bold accent colour to contrast your pastels: Even with such a colourful pastel room décor, you can still create that one focal point. For example, a pop of navy or forest green adds definition and drama.
- Mix light and dark variations of the same pastel hue: Tonal variations offer a great way to both contrast and coordinate your décor, adding that eye-catching colour scheme while staying within a harmonious palette.
- Add patterns to your pastel living room: Use the likes of stripes, checks or florals to break up solid blocks of pastel and add an altogether different – and more unique – look to your living room.
Pastel colours are anything but basic, and with a little creativity, they can become the foundation of a truly curated space. From powder-pink sofas to soft blue armchairs, our sofa collection offers a wide range of shades to help you find a pastel palette that fits your style. For more design tips, trend insights and styling ideas, explore our Sofological blog.