In a fast-paced city like Mumbai, coming back to a home that can instantly calm your mind and alleviate your mood is a necessary luxury. Pastel palettes are known to have positive impacts on mental well-being and are becoming a preferred home interior choice for many
The rise in the popularity of pastel shades in home interiors is driven by a contemporary market shift in colour preferences seen across fashion, design and products. Photo Courtesy: iStock
Pastel colours are the new obsession be it for bridal fashion or home interiors. Although considered to be feminine, pastels today scream aesthetics. Today, interior design firms are incorporating pastel palettes in home decor more than ever, to make houses, especially in cities like Mumbai, calming and luxurious at the same time.
Pastel colour palettes are believed to have a positive impact on soothing the mind and boosting the mood. Additionally, hues of blue, pink or lemon yellow make spaces look aesthetic and fresh. This is particularly important in densely populated urban areas like Mumbai, where smaller room sizes can feel cramped. Using pastel shades at home helps enhance the overall attractiveness of the interiors.
For those looking to redesign their homes, including pastel shades in your interiors can be a good option. Mid-day Online spoke to interior designers who speak at large about the rising trend of pastels and why introducing them into your home interiors is the best choice at present.
“Pastels made their debut in the 16th century. During the Renaissance, visionaries such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo used natural chalk for their artistic designs. This laid the foundation for pastels. Beginning in the 16th century in northern Italy, pastels came about by mixing pure powdered pigments with materials such as gum, fish and animal glue helping them bind finely. Originally, pastels were limited to red, black, and white. Today the palette has over 1600 shades,” says Preetu Muley Pandey, founder and chief interior designer, Pree D'fine Interior Design Solutions.
She says pastels continue to be relevant even today. In the current times, the pastel colours gained prominence in the Covid-19 lockdown. During the pandemic, our homes assumed paramount significance since we spent months locked inside the same space. Besides, our home is a place where we unwind after having a tiring, rough day at work. Thus, designing homes in ways that help people relax and rejuvenate became a necessity.
Pandey shares, “Our clients often prefer the pastel palette for their homes and offices. We begin by introducing them to the palette options through images and material samples so they can touch, visualise and experience the effect of these tints. We then allocate a proportion we'd like to use these shades in, to ensure that we use them right for the space. We then sample the shades in the actual space to check how the light in the room interacts with it, before making a final decision.”
Rise of the pastel trend
The rise in the popularity of pastel shades in home interiors is driven by a contemporary market shift in colour preferences seen across fashion, design and products. This transition from darker hues to pastel tones is indicative of a broader trend. Interiors are now more attuned to fashion trends, with major fashion houses influencing colour palettes. This influence seamlessly pervades into interiors, be it lounge bars, restaurants and even homes. The current appeal lies in adopting neutral bases and infusing them with carefully chosen colours. This dynamic has made pastel shades a prominent trend in interior design.
Understanding the impact of pastels
Pastel shades are essentially subtle variations of rich or vibrant hues. Pastel-coloured interiors and decor items create a more inviting and tranquil living environment. “Colours have a strong psychological impact. Pastel shades like beige, cream, white and off-white offer a sense of serenity and mental calmness,” says Behzad Kharas, architect, founder and chief managing director, The BNK Group.
Pastels can be incorporated into your living spaces in different ways. Kharas says, “The key lies in integrating these colours within your space rather than completely painting the entire room. By adding pastel accents to the neutral canvas of your home, you can make the space more cheerful”.
Pastels can be incorporated into furnishings like curtains, sheers and sofas, in elements like rugs, accent furniture such as consoles, side tables and centre tables, as well as art pieces, wallpapers and artefacts. To further lift the look of the space, one can consider adding ceramic-coloured pottery, captivating graphic digital prints and artworks in neutral tones or black and white. Additionally, floral arrangements and plants can beautifully complement spaces with pastel shades. These versatile elements go well with pastel interiors and create a cohesive and stylish living environment.
Best pastel shades for home interiors
According to Pandey, one must pick shades on the basis of the space size, purpose and one's connection with it. Adding to this Kharas too agrees that the choice of colour is deeply personal and relies on individual preferences and usage.
Experts say, when considering pastel shades for home decor, the selection should align with the ambience. For spaces with a softer touch, like bedrooms or bathrooms, soft hues like pink, mint, pale lemon yellow and gentle greens are ideal choices. For versatile, common spaces like living rooms, shades like powder blue, pastel green and lemon yellow work well. Use warmer tones for workspaces like the kitchen and study rooms.
To pick the right shades for your home, you can draw inspiration from fashion magazines, observing colours in accessories like handbags, clothing and shoes. By curating from pastel shades available, you can create a home environment that resonates with your personal style and enhances the atmosphere.
Benefits of pastels for Mumbai homes
The appeal of pastel shades goes beyond the size or style of a home, whether it's a penthouse, villa, 1BHK or studio apartment. Pastel colours possess a universal charm that can be applied to any scale of residence, making it a highly preferred choice.
Houses in Mumbai, whose sizes are comparatively smaller, have the added benefit of including pastels. It should definitely be incorporated for smaller spaces as pastel hues add volume to the space. They create an illusion of increased space compared to darker shades.
For people living in a chaotic city like Mumbai, coming back home should be a pleasant experience. Pastel-infused space offers a visually comforting and mentally uplifting experience making it an apt choice for urban residents.
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