Bring spring indoors with pastels

Once reserved specifically for children’s rooms, pastels are a great way to bring that fresh spring feeling into your home. And it doesn’t have to be as drastic as painting an entire room – simply adding a few accessories is an ideal way to brighten up your interior.

Here’s some of our top tips for adding pastels into the home:

• To really make pastel colours stand out, use them in a room that has mostly white or neutral colours. This could mean painting just one wall in a white room or adding a few throw cushions to a white or beige couch.
• If you do want to paint all four walls in a pastel colour, balance it out with a few cushions or some artwork in bright colours, along with neutral-coloured furnishings and window treatments.
• Pastels such as purples and yellows are ideal for creating a relaxing environment in living areas. Pinks are well suited to bedrooms, adding a touch of femininity without going over the top.

• Pastels also work extremely well with greys, with the soft tones of the grey creating an elegant yet understated atmosphere.
• Don’t restrict yourself to just one pastel colour per room. Some pastels can work extremely well together when done in a tasteful way. Try mixing blues and greens for a coastal feel, and maybe add some pink for a subtle pop of colour.
• Remember that colours don’t have to be restricted to paint or furnishings. Just a few simple accessories such as a vase in the living room or some pastel-coloured kitchenware can be enough.
• A pastel-coloured splashback in an otherwise white kitchen can help soften the lines of the cabinetry and will help create a polished look.

For more advice, contact your local painting specialist or interior designer.