Ways to use pastel colour palette in interiors

It makes me excited to share that there is actually a pastel of every colour in the rainbow! The pastel palette is absolutely appealing and adds a classy elegant quality to design of any space.

Where colour lacks, detail thrives. That attention to detail is what designers look for in curating look and feel that work today or probably has been in vogue, time immemorial and will also carry on into the future.

In design pastel means minimal or balancing colour, that are devoid of strong chromatic value or effect. Shades such as pista or mint green, beige, peach, lavender, ivory, grey and shades of white give the impression to be without colour, but in many ways these hues mostly have undertones.

These shades are often used an additional colour that act as softeners or play the equalizing shade when one or more shades of bold hues are used in an environment. Such shades also help achieve contrast and accentuate the brighter colours. For example, ivory might have an undertone of yellow or cream.

White might be slightly ivory, yellow, bluish or peachy.

Pastel colours can be used in design and decor in two primary ways -- either as a soft, pastel only, minimal look or as background colours for bold, sound accents. The Pastel Look: A Pastel colour theme in your home or any other space makes one feel calm, relaxed or settled and put you at comfort. While many could imagine pastel colours as mild or flat, there are many ways to create contrast, visual interest and still bring in light, soft colour for a synergetic look. When you want design with pastel shades, use different hues of the same colour, example shades of wheat or shades of grey for a classy, interesting and sophisticated look.

Pick a lighter shade for the walls (vertical plane -as darker planes at eye level tend to look small) and compliment with darker upholstery. Choose a carpet or floor covering (horizontal plane) in a colour that complements the flooring but also is just a shade darker than the walls so the furniture elements stand out. Bind the space together with accentuating elements or decor that include few or all of the shades you have used. This enables all the elements to blend with in a room and give a harmonious look.

When preferring to use pastel shades for all surfaces, where you choose to have an all pastel look, start the look with pastel walls. Choose the shade centred on what other shades you wish to use, how much natural light the room receives, what kind of artificial or planned lighting is required, the functional context, ambience you wish to create and the preference for lighter or darker shade walls.

While opting darker shades for walls, the look ceases diminish volume and make it feel smaller, hence better to avoid darker shades for walls or balance with more illumination if you use grey, you can go either cool or warm with it and can contrast any colour against it.

Also decide whether you prefer a warm or cool shade; the same goes for shades of white. When you choose a shade of beige for the wall or vertical plane, add volume with a brown or a woody colour furniture with upholstery from the darker shades of the beige family.

Try to achieve gradation with your pastel colour family.

Pick lighter shades of beige for horizontal plane or floor surface, this helps in achieving a look of better or bigger area.

Use cushions in beige and metallic versions of beige-say mild copper to add interest.

A pastel is the perfect backdrop for all the special details in your space, whether an art collection or pieces from world travels.

Accessories and furnishings can speak volumes.

A backdrop that is pastel helps those incidental elements stand out. Station art objects with touches of metallic finish to add some drama.