5 Pastel Room Decor Ideas

Pastels come in a variety of shades and some can be a bit more childish than others. Try to find a shade which is intense but not vibrant – Farrow and Ball, Little Greene and Zoffany are all good options. Also, pay particular attention to the undertones of any shades you are contemplating. A pink with a slight orange tone, as opposed to a red one, will be more manageable.

Punctuating a room with cool, dark woods definitely adds an edge to a pretty colour scheme. There are times when lighter woods can work (limed finishes or pale sycamore work quite well) but these can sometimes have little impact. A wenge chair upholstered in a pastel tone is both modern and elegant.

Nothing adds sophistication more than carefully chosen golden accents. Brass is a good choice for when you don’t want to go for gold. If they’re traditional accents, the metals should always be well-cared for (shabby will make the room look like an outdated child’s room) but rustic finishes like hammered or perforated metal can and should be embraced.

If there’s one rule for mastering pastels, it’s this – be careful of your shapes. A clean-lined sofa can get away with a delicate colour palettes or patterns because it makes up for it with confidence-infused designs. Choosing timeless silhouettes with a contemporary update will prevent your room from looking twee.

Certain materials are more forgiving than others when it comes to pastels, for example, wood painted in lemon yellow or pink fluffy rugs are a no-go for adult spaces but fresh duck egg blue in a slub silk makes for an elegant choice for drapes. This space by Intarya maximises the potential of simple fabrics and subtle weaves in the palest of blues to create this dreamy master bedroom.