From flowers to fashion and home furnishings, spring is a time for soft, muted colors. Pastels are a popular choice, whether pink, blue, green, purple or yellow. What is appealing to many homeowners about pastel colors relates to the soft, soothing environments they help create. Pastel colors also pair well with other colors, especially neutrals such as cream, white, taupe, brown and even black.
YELLOW
Yellow is a great choice, especially if you are a fan of gold and brass finishes — one of the hottest finishes in home decor right now. Yellow can also help perk up a space. If you are considering incorporating pastel yellow into your décor, consider using it as an accent color, perhaps in artwork or bedding.
PINK
Powder or pastel pink is one of the more popular pastel colors. Pink pairs extremely well with earth tones such as brown, as well as gray. Pink used in spaces that may be smaller in size such as a home office or children’s bedroom can also add freshness when paired with foundation colors such as white. A great use of pink is in accessories and accents such as coffee table books or toss pillows.
GREEN
Green can be a tricky color, in large part because of how it may be affected by other colors and even natural light. Pastel or mint green can be a successful pastel color choice without appearing medicinal if paired with grounding colors such as gray, brown and black. When in doubt, you can always incorporate various tints, tones and shades of green to make a space feel even more cohesive.
PURPLE
Who doesn’t love lavender? Lavender is not only gender-neutral, but can also be really bold and attractive, especially when paired with strong cool colors such as charcoal gray. Looking to make an even bolder statement? Why not pair lavender with black? Conversely, if you are looking to create a more soothing environment, try pairing lavender with cream or white.
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Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at www.cathyhobbs.com .
