Pastel colors refer to soft, pale, light colors that are created by mixing a pure pigment with white. They are known for being soothing, calming, and delicate. Pastels gained popularity in the 18th century and are widely used in fashion, interior design, and art. This article will explore the different types of pastel colors, their characteristics, and how they are used.
What are Pastel Colors?
Pastels are a range of light colors that have had white added to make them less intense or vibrant. Adding white reduces the saturation of the original pure pigment, creating a softer, more subtle shade.
Some key characteristics of pastel colors:
– They have a low to medium saturation, meaning they are not very intense or bright.
– They are soft, muted, and dusty in appearance.
– They can range from very light to slightly darker in tone.
– Common pastel shades include peach, lavender, mint, pistachio, baby blue, and pale pink.
– They are created by combining a pure color with white or by mixing multiple pastel colors together.
Pastels differ from primary colors because they are less saturated versions of the pure pigment. They also differ from secondary colors which tend to be deeper and richer.
Types of Pastel Colors
There are many different pastel shades across the color spectrum. Here are some of the major categories of pastel colors:
Pastel Reds, Pinks, and Corals: Colors like blush, baby pink, salmon, peach, melon.
Pastel Oranges and Yellows: Shades like pale yellow, lemon, cream, chamomile, and apricot.
Pastel Greens: Light greens like mint, pistachio, sage, and seafoam.
Pastel Blues and Violets: Soft shades of sky blue, lilac, lavender, periwinkle.
Pastel Purples and Mauves: Orchid, wisteria, thistle, lavender.
Pastel Neutrals: Off-whites, ivory, almond, and pale beige.
Pastels can also be created by mixing a pure color with grey or by desaturating a color using white. This produces “dusty” pastels.
Characteristics of Pastel Colors
Here are some notable qualities and traits of pastel colors:
– Subtle and soft – Pastels have a gentle, subtle look compared to bold primary hues.
– Calming and soothing – The pale, muted shades are very relaxing and peaceful. They help create tranquility.
– Feminine and delicate – Pastels like blush pink or lilac evoke a delicate, feminine aesthetic.
– Vintage and retro – Muted pastel shades give a vintage, retro look, reminiscent of a faded photograph.
– Youthful and innocent – Soft pastels like baby blue seem sweet, whimsical and youthful.
– Easy to combine – Pastels are extremely mixable and layerable, even across color families.
– Versatile – Pastels work in any room and with any style from modern to traditional spaces.
– Uplifting – Pale yellows, mints, and corals have an upbeat, positive feeling.
– Cool or warm tones – Pastels come in both cool and warm varieties across the color wheel.
Uses of Pastel Colors
Pastels have many uses across design, fashion, and art. Here are some of the most popular ways pastel colors are utilized:
Interior Design – Pastels like lavender, sage, and peach are commonly used to paint walls or upholster furniture. They create relaxing, welcoming rooms.
Fashion – In clothing and accessories, pastels add softness. They are popular for feminine dresses, skirts, purses and shoes.
Art – Pastels used as sticks or pencils create soft, blended effects. They are also effective diluted as watercolors.
Easter – Spring pastels like robin egg blue, lemon, and petal pink are customarily used for Easter celebrations.
Weddings – For weddings, pastel colors create a romantic, whimsical mood. Popular shades are blush, mint, sky blue.
Birth Announcements – Soft pastel backgrounds and accents are used on birth announcements to create a sweet, joyful feeling.
Cakes/Cupcakes – Pastel frosting and decorations on cakes and cupcakes make them look delicate, dreamy, and ethereal.
Stationery – Pastels like lilac, seafoam, and melon add a sweet, pleasant tone to stationery like wedding invitations, birthday cards or letters.
Popular Pastel Color Palettes
Many beautiful color combinations can be created using pastels. Here are some examples of popular pastel color palettes:
Blush and Mint
A feminine pairing like pale pink and soft green has a fresh, springtime vibe. Add an accent color like white or metallic gold.
Lavender and Pistachio
This palette has an elegant, sophisticated mood with light purple and spring green. Navy or black accents pop against the pastels.
Peach and Sky Blue
Warm peach and cool sky blue make a vibrant, cheerful color scheme. Add pops of yellow or white for brightness.
Strawberry and Lilac
Mixing rosy pink with soft lilac purple creates an ethereal, dreamy palette. Metallic silvers accent it nicely.
Seafoam and Coral
Energetic seafoam green and peach-pink coral combine for a preppy, beachy palette. Use white as a crisp contrast.
| Pastel Color Palette | Mood | Optional Accents |
|---|---|---|
| Blush and Mint | Fresh, Springtime | White, Metallic Gold |
| Lavender and Pistachio | Elegant, Sophisticated | Navy, Black |
| Peach and Sky Blue | Vibrant, Cheerful | Yellow, White |
| Strawberry and Lilac | Ethereal, Dreamy | Metallic Silvers |
| Seafoam and Coral | Beachy, Preppy | White |
Conclusion
Pastel colors offer a soft, delicate aesthetic when used in fashion, interior design, art, and more. Their pale, muted shades create a gentle, tranquil mood. Popular pastels span from airy neutrals to sweet pinks, mints, lavenders and seafoams across the spectrum. Coordinating these subdued hues into harmonious palettes results in sophisticated, thoughtful color combinations. Pastels have a nostalgic, vintage appeal while also feeling fresh and current. Their versatility and mixability make pastels a mainstay color choice for all types of creative applications.
