Pastel colors are known for their soft, delicate nature. They are created by combining a pure hue with white paint to tint it down, resulting in muted shades that provide subtle pops of color. While any color can be mixed to create a pastel version of itself, there are several core pastel colors that form the foundation of the pastel palette. These primary pastel colors include pink, peach, lavender, mint, sky blue, and lemon yellow. Understanding these core pastel shades and how to use them is key to creating beautiful pastel color palettes and designs.
The Main Pastel Colors
Here are the 6 primary pastel colors that make up the core pastel palette:
Pink
Pastel pink sits between red and white on the color wheel. It conjures feelings of romance, femininity, and sweetness. Pastel pink works beautifully on its own as an accent color or combined with other soft pastels in a full color scheme. It has a soothing effect and is often used in bedrooms, baby nurseries, and spas. Pastel pink looks gorgeous paired with mint green, peach, and classic pastel combinations like pink and blue.
Peach
Pastel peach is a warm, delicate take on orange, mixing orange and red undertones with lots of white. It evokes feelings of cheer, warmth, and subtle vibrancy. Pastel peach can be used as an accent color or to create an inviting color palette with other soft hues. It works nicely with pastel blues, pinks, yellows, and green. Use pastel peach to create a cozy, welcoming look in living spaces, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
Lavender
Pastel lavender is a lightened version of purple, sitting between purple and white on the color wheel. It has a soft, romantic, and feminine quality. Pastel lavender commonly evokes feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Use it to create calming bedroom retreats or spa-like bathrooms. Pastel lavender pairs beautifully with other soft colors like pink, peach, mint, and baby blue.
Mint
Pastel mint is a pale, cool green with blue undertones. It brings feelings of refreshment, rejuvenation, and new beginnings. Pastel mint works nicely as an accent color or as part of a full pastel color scheme. It pairs beautifully with other pastels like pink, yellow, peach, and blue. Use pastel mint in combination with those colors in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and living spaces for a soothing look.
Sky Blue
Pastel blue, often referred to as sky blue, is a lightened, airy version of classic blue. It has a calm, ethereal quality. Pastel blue commonly evokes feelings of tranquility, trust, and openness. It’s versatile color that works nicely on its own as an accent or combined with the full range of pastels. Use pastel blue with peach and yellow for a cheerful look or with pink and lavender for a dreamy, romantic palette. Pastel blue is a great choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, and beach-inspired spaces.
Lemon Yellow
Pastel yellow sits between the primary color yellow and white. With its uplifting brightness, pastel yellow conjures feelings of joy, cheerfulness, and optimism. It provides subtle vibrancy without being overpowering. Pastel yellow works nicely as an accent color or combined with pastel counterparts like mint, peach, and sky blue. Use it to create cheerful rooms with an airy, spring-like feel. Pastel yellow is a versatile shade that brings light and positivity to any space.
Complementary Pastel Combinations
When using pastels in a full color scheme, it helps to understand complementary colors and color theory. Combining complementary hues creates harmony and visual interest. Here are some of the most popular color pairings using the primary pastel shades:
Pink and Blue
The pairing of pastel pink and blue has timeless appeal. This classic combination conjures images of spring flowers, fairy tales, and baby showers. Use soft pink with sky blue for a romantic, feminine look in bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces.
Pink and Purple
Pastel pink and lavender create a soft, dreamy pairing. The two hues complement each other beautifully, evoking feelings of tenderness and nostalgia. Use this combination to create a soothing retreat in bedrooms, bathrooms, and spas.
Peach and Blue
Bringing pastel peach together with sky blue results in a cheerful, friendly color palette. The warm peach tones and cool blue hues balance each other out nicely. This combination works well in kitchens, casual dining rooms, sunrooms, and kids’ spaces.
Peach and Mint
Pairing peach with mint green creates a lively, vibrant look. The cool mint balances out the warmth of the peach, while the two colors share an underlying cheerfulness. This combo is great for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and eclectic living rooms.
Lavender and Mint
Pastel lavender and mint green complement each other beautifully, creating a palette that’s both soft and refreshing. The two colors work in harmony to conjure up feelings of renewal and tranquility. Use this soothing combo in bedrooms, spas, and anywhere you want to create a relaxing oasis.
Yellow and Blue
Sunny pastel yellow pairs nicely with light sky blue for an optimistic, uplifting look. These colors remind us of sunny skies and fluffy clouds. Use this vibrant pairing in casual, cottage-style living spaces, kids’ rooms, recreation areas and kitchens.
Yellow and Green
Bringing together pastel lemon yellow and mint green creates a bright, lively color palette. The two colors complement each other perfectly, evoking feelings of new growth and renewal. This combo works great in living spaces, kitchens, kids’ rooms, offices and other areas where you want to infuse energy.
Using Pastels in Color Schemes
When designing with pastels, you can use various color scheme formulas to create just the look and feel you want. Here are some potential ways to incorporate the primary pastels into color palettes for your home:
Monochromatic
A monochromatic scheme uses different tones, shades and tints of one single hue. Try using several shades of pastel pink or blue for a soft, soothing monochromatic look.
Analogous
An analogous color scheme uses hues that sit next to each other on the color wheel, creating a cohesive look. Try combining pastel peach, pink and lavender. Or use pastel blue, green and yellow in one harmonious analogus palette.
Triadic
A triadic scheme uses three colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel. Pastel pink, yellow and sky blue form a vibrant triad. Pastel peach, lavender and mint green also make a lovely triadic palette.
Complementary
As described above, complementary colors (those opposite each other on the wheel) create visual interest through contrast. Use pairings like pink and blue, peach and blue, yellow and purple, or orange and blue.
Split Complementary
A split complementary scheme uses one color plus the two hues adjacent to its complement. For example, pastel yellow with sky blue and pastel pink. Or lavender with mint and peach.
Tips for Decorating with Pastels
From soft furnishings to wall colors, pastels provide endless possibilities for adding charm and beauty to a space. Here are some top tips for effectively decorating with pastels:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Use pastels sparingly | Because pastels are muted and subtle, use them sparingly as accents against a neutral backdrop. Too much pastel can make a space feel washed out. |
| Repeat colors | Tie your space together by repeating pastel hues throughout in accent pillows, artwork, furnishings etc. |
| Anchor with neutrals | Ground your pastels by anchoring them with plenty of whites, creams, greys, and other neutrals. |
| Add patterns and textures | Introduce visual interest with patterns and textural elements like florals, stripes, lattice, rattan, linen etc. |
| Use white space | White space prevents pastels from becoming overwhelming. Keep some areas, like walls, floors, and furnishings, neutral. |
| Add contrast | Punch things up by adding some darker accent colors for contrast, like black, charcoal grey, navy and chocolate brown. |
| Go bold | Make a statement by doing an entire monochromatic pastel room in shades of pink, blue, green or other hue. |
Pastel Color Palettes for Rooms
Here are some beautiful pastel color schemes to inspire you for decorating different rooms in your home:
Living Room
– Sky blue, peach, lavender, white
– Pink, peach, sage green, cream
– Lemon yellow, robin’s egg blue, blush pink
Bedroom
– Lavender, blush pink, peach, grey
– Robin’s egg blue, peach, ecru, wood tones
– Seafoam green, lavender, white, wood
Bathroom
– Robin’s egg blue, seafoam green, white
– Lavender, grey, white, wood tones
– Peach, cream, greige, terra-cotta tile
Kitchen
– Robin’s egg blue, peach, yellow, white
– Sage green, cream, terra-cotta tile, wood
– Mint green, peach, cream, wood cabinetry
Kids’ Room
– Lavender, peach, mustard yellow, white
– Mint, peach, robin’s egg blue, white
– Lemon yellow, aqua, peach, white
Home Office
– Lavender, blush pink, greige, white
– Seafoam, peach, white, wood desk
– Robin’s egg blue, lemon yellow, white
Conclusion
Pastels offer a versatile, charming way to decorate. The core pastel palette consists of soft pink, peach, lavender, mint, sky blue and lemon yellow. Use these primary shades alone or combine them into delightful complementary color schemes. Employ pastels sparingly against lots of white space and neutrals. Add interest with patterns, textures and bold accent colors. With the right approach, pastels can create a beautiful, welcoming look in any room. Have fun embracing these sweet, subtle tones to give your home a soft pop of color!
