5 min read

The pastels trend is here to stay. Freelance stylist Karen Barlow says ‘pastels have become more grown up this year, with barely there pinks, sage green & soft lilac tones providing a mature edge to the trend’.

With this in mind, let’s explore three different ways you can implement this style in your home, so you can achieve a stunning modern pastel look that remains playful and intriguing.

Pared Back and Neutral

One way that the pastel trend has developed over the past year is deliberately shifting towards more pared back, neutral colour palettes. The look we’ve created uses a sage green palette combined with a subtle cream shade, to form a beautiful two-tone style that adds a level of intrigue to the space.

Muted colours are key with this style of pastel decor, because the look you want to achieve is simplistic and clean. Choose accessories like side tables, vases or lamps, in either neutral or soft pastel shades that work with your palette. Using touches of greenery can help make the sage green tones stand out, making your colour scheme the focal point of the space.

Make sure you choose the right sofa to suit the look; something soft and tactile, with a simple silhouette. We decided on the Mateo sofa in Hampshire Ivory coloured leather – elegant and comfy, yet subtle enough that it won’t steal all the attention away from your carefully planned colour scheme.

Rustic and Relaxed

We looked at combining pastel shades with unique, rustic elements that hark back to the Artisan & Global trend we explored in 2018. The pastel colours are again pared back here – you don’t want to saturate a busy space with too much bright, popping colour, because it could become too overwhelming. Grey is a really popular shade at the moment, and you can use that to your advantage – we used the Milton sofa in tactile grey, a shade that stands out in this pastel themed room.

To achieve this look, add more botanical elements to the space, combining these touches with geometric prints on throws or even wall hangings. This type of pastel look relies on incidentals and accessories so choose them wisely – we’d recommend wicker elements, like a side table or rug, as well as quirky plant pots and rustic picture frames.

Try to ensure the room has far fewer clean lines and avoid slick complementary furniture – give the space some depth and opt for older or reclaimed furniture for that extra rustic look. Combined with a soft pink pastel shade, you’ll easily achieve this style in your home.

Popping and Contemporary

Our final take on the modern pastel trend focuses on much brighter, popping pastel shades. Choosing shades that are less pared back and more in line with the Ice Cream Pastels we highlighted last year, you’ll achieve a look that turns your living space into a much more vibrant environment. We’ve used the floor as the ‘feature wall’ of the room, choosing pastel-coloured geometric tiles to create an intriguing focal point and saving blocks of colour for the walls.

Aim for a simple look that’s very tonal – you want colours that contrast but complement one another, so try combining a selection of different pastel shades like pink and blue. Your accessories can add an extra layer to this, especially if you opt for more tactile scatters, as you’ll layer comfort and colour on your sofa.

Aim for more contemporary finishes in your space, like marble or glass side tables, sleek vases or ornaments and finish it with the right sofa – we chose the Demure sofa in Graceland Pink to complement the popping pastel shades on the walls, but the look works just as well if you prefer a more muted sofa.

Sofology
About Sofology

Helping everybody feel happier and more comfortable at home - that's what we’re all about. Originally founded in the North West of England in 1974, Sofology now has stores all across the UK. Providing specialist sofa advice and interiors inspiration for your home, our stores are designed to be a haven from the chaos of traditional sofa shopping.

2 Comments

  • Before Lockdown due to Coronavirus we ordered a Misouri 2.5 seater fully reclining sofa and a matching chair in Bone China. Order number 2577903. The delivery date was 13th April. Would you have any idea when this is likely to be manufactured and delivered to us.

    Regards

    Mrs C Taggart and Mr I Taggart