Pastels are having a moment. After all, gelato-inspired shades are perfect for spring-summer. But pastel decor can be tricky to get right. Overdo it and your interior scheme can go from South Beach chic to kid’s bedroom in an instant.

So how do you create a scheme that’s more calming sorbet than sickly sweet? Good Homes picks out some of our best pastel decor ideas…

Go for chic shades

Decorating with pastels doesn’t have to mean twee, overtly ‘pretty’ or child-like – these mint coloured tiles, for example have been teamed with black bathroom fittings to give the space a much more sophisticated feel. These dreamy mint green tiles (the Carter Ceramic Mint) from Ca’ Pietra are the perfect shade. £80.26 per sqm.

Update your furniture

For a more statement look switch up the kitchen cabinetry for a pale pastel shade. Not only are the doors here in a plaster pink, but the walls and shelves too, while the antique copper tap, handles and hanging rail add a refined element. Haddon kitchen in Plaster from Burbidge & Son from £15,000.

Choose modern muted pastels

The latest pastel decor trends see us steering away from the more candy-coloured pinks and overtly girlie shades and replacing them with muted colours like softened coral and dreamy sea blues. Add in a few stronger pops of colour and some pattern (shown below in the accessories and floor tiles) and you’ve got yourself a stylish pastel bathroom scheme to be proud of. These made-to-measure worktops from Acquabella mean you can create your perfect look.

Opt for less saturated hues

Super saturated pink and blue tones can sometimes set the wrong tone for a room, giving it a more child-like feel than the sophisticated yet playful ideal you’re after. This beautiful pastel kitchen from Day True uses a combination of blue and pink, but in barely-there hues teamed with luxurious finishes such as marble and brass.

Ground with natural finishes

One way to keep a pastel colour palette feeling grown-up is to combine with stylish natural finishes. Whether it’s this wooden vanity alongside these Ted Baker Stepped Up Pastel tiles, or simply introducing rattan, jute and natural stone finishes into your design, it’s sure to ground the design.

Combine pastels with neutrals

Prevent your pastel decor scheme from feeling too feminine by teaming them with neutrals. Just one pastel piece can add that element of warmth, without being overpowering, while a neutral backdrop and flooring will keep your scheme beautifully pared back. This Canterbury Snuggle Chair (£1, 149) from Dunelm, will look inviting in any room.

Mix it up

Combine a few sorbet shades together for a pastel decor scheme that feels fresh and summery. Pale pink, lemon, coral, lilac and mint all work well together, so all you need to decide is whether you stick to just two of these colours, or incorporate them all. The muted pink and yellow chairs in this dining room create enough contrast to keep the scheme visually engaging, while a brighter yellow pendant overhead adds an extra colour pop. Try Pooky, they have a huge range of lampshades to choose from.

Add a delicate mural

Whether you have a big expanse of wall or a smaller surface area, a mural can be a great way to add both colour and impact. This elegant design features pastel pink, mint and peach, yet it’s the design that stands out as the focal point behind the bath. The V&A Kyoto blossom wallpaper mural in Sandstone (£244 per 3m panel) is available from 1838 Wallcoverings.

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Shop the look: Pastel decor ideas

1. Wind chaise longue in pastel blue, £1, 575 from Broste Copenhagen on Cuckooland
2. Set of three pastel planters, £54.99 from Vonhaus
3. Ash Rose Ticking Stripe Cotton Cushion, £28 from Rebecca Pitcher
4. Pastel fairisle set of six placemats, £49 from Braided Rug Company
5. Casami beach house cupboard, £195 from Cuckooland
6. Oda bowls by Julie Damhus Studio, £42 from Décoraii

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MORE PASTEL DECOR IDEAS

• Colour palette: lavender décor ideas
• Freshen up your kitchen with pastel shades
• 5 real homes that have embraced pink décor

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