Sometimes considered childish, preteen, or even chic, pastel colors are the life to every part of our lives, be it abstract art, content, or even construction design.

Despite this, there’s still a bit of ignorance regarding pastel colors; for some, they’re relics of a colorful but largely irrelevant past. But is it so?

As you’re about to discover, pastel colors are just about everywhere, and the preference for them is only growing. Learn everything you need to know about pastel colors and even how to create and incorporate them into your designs.

What Are Pastel Colors?

Pastel colors are hues that have a soft, muted look to them. They are usually created by adding white to a saturated hue to make it more subtle.

Further, they can range from light pinks, blues, greens, yellows, purples, and even grays. These colors are perfect for creating a soothing atmosphere in designs. The delicate nature of pastel colors can also be used to bring a sense of elegance or sophistication to any project.

Pastel colors have been popular in design for centuries, seen in everything from wallpapers to clothing. They have been prevalent in the 20th century, with the 1950s often known as the ‘pastel decade.’

In recent years, pastel colors have become incredibly popular in content creation. They allow designers to add a touch of femininity or a whimsy, almost childish feel to their work.

Pastel Color Wheel

The pastel color wheel combines all the different types of pastel hues, tints, and shades. It comprises 12 primary colors, each with its distinctive tone and shade, ranging from soft pinks, blues, yellows, purples, and greens.

Each color is a variation of a single hue and is perfect for creating subtle and calming visuals.

The pastel color wheel can be divided into four main categories: warm, cool, muted, and bright. You will find yellow, peach, pink, orange, and red tones in the friendly category. The cool category includes hues like blues, teals, aquas, purples, and greens, while the muted section consists of more neutral shades like taupe and grey. Lastly, the bright category is filled with vibrant colors such as hot pink, lime green, and neon blue.

When used correctly, the pastel color wheel can help create stunning visuals. Its diverse hues, tints, and shades can make content stand out uniquely and interestingly.

Pastel Colors in Use: 10 Examples with Codes

While it may not be obvious, pastel colors are all around us. As visuals creatures, we attach a lot of meaning to colors, and as a content creator, you can leverage color psychology to your advantage.

Here are some that are in use in almost all aspects of our lives:

Cosmetics Brand

This is one of the most popular pastel color combinations for fashion, home décor, and beauty products. A combination of shades of pink ranging from blush to pale pink to peach, this subtle but romantic palette looks great in almost any cosmetic product.

#E9E4E8       #DEC9D6       #E9A3C4       #EB3991

Bakeries

If a color combination could be described as savory, this would be it. There are the usual bright colors, but they’re slightly toned down for that nostalgic effect reminiscent of unwrapping freshly baked pastry.

#E6C3A9       #C39D7A       #BBB8763       #CEBAAA

Wedding Invitations

Weddings are the ultimate celebration, and for something so precious and dear to most people, only heartwarming, delicate color combinations would suffice. 

#EDC1D9       #AA9697       #ADBBC6       #DBD6DA       #A78E77

Candy Shop 

Full of color and bright as ever, but who could argue? Candy shops bring out the inner child in everyone; this palette does about half of that.

#DCA5A1       #96D4C7       #F8C9DC       #EDD27C

Fashion

A delicate balance of bright and a bit of dull color. Everyone has their preferences, but all fall between these two extremes.

#CCBEB5       #736457       #BB8360       #83523C       #CFC5BF

Beauty Salon

A cheerful, vibrant pastel color combination that will make every design detail pop. This palette is perfect for everything elegant, clean, and welcoming.

#FDECD4       #BC8B60       #D2A477       #E7BEB3

Home Décor 

A beige pastel palette can be summed up in three words: cozy, comfy, and calming. One look, and it’s like home, and you never want to take your eyes off it.

#D2CDCA       #E7E2E0       #C9A793       #D9C5BA

Eco-Friendly Products

Nothing spells eco more naturally than the color green. Soften it to pastel, and you have the perfect palette for an eco-friendly product design.

#E6CCAB       #E1E1E1       #BDAD7F       #DFB9B5

Website Design

This pastel palette is ideal if you’re after a cool, calming effect for your design or content. With web design, the goal is to entice viewers to stay a bit longer on the site. You can never go wrong with such a palette.

#BED476       #FEF8F3       #F6B571       #F5DD9C

Architecture

Gone are the days when architecture was all boring and bland colors. These pastels go beyond basic aesthetics. One look and you get a feel of the building’s character and purpose.

#91A1AB       #CAD7DF       #5FA1C7       #ADB8C2

Pastel Color Combinations with Codes

Here are some popular color combinations with codes:

Pink Pastel Palette

When it comes to decorating with a pink pastel palette, several color combinations work well. A classic combination is blush and white, which provides a clean and bright look. To add a touch of elegance, try pairing blush with gold accents. Mix it with shades of gray for a more modern take on the pink pastel palette. This creates a sophisticated yet still delicate or romantic feel.

If you want to try out the pink pastel palette in your home decor or fashion wardrobe, here are some codes to get you started: 

With accessories, you can pair the pink pastel palette with gold, silver, or even wood. Jewelry in these colors will add a delicate touch to your look, while wood accessories can give your room a rustic feel. Metallic accessories will add a bit of glamour and luxury to any look, making it perfect for special occasions.

Beige Pastel Palette

This color combination pairs well with other warm hues, such as peach and coral, and cool blues and purples. 

This muted palette works best in bedrooms, living rooms, and any other space where you want to create a tranquil atmosphere. It pairs perfectly with wooden accents and natural materials such as wicker, rattan, or linen. 

To make the most of this soft color palette, consider adding brighter touches like a blue throw pillow or white wall art to give the room some visual interest. The following color codes are a great way to start your beige pastel journey:

Code	Color
#F7F1E3
#F5F5DC
#F8EDE3
#DFD3C3

Blue Pastel Palette

These soft shades of blue evoke a sense of tranquility and can be used in various projects. Whether you want to create an attractive website design or a peaceful interior decor, blue pastel colors are a no-brainer pick.

The best part about using a blue pastel palette is that you can mix and match different shades of blues to create unique combinations. Here are some of the most popular blue pastel shades and their corresponding color codes.

Mint Blue (#98E8D5): This light greenish-blue hue has a bright and cheerful feel. It can be used as an accent color in designs or to bring a hint of brightness to otherwise muted palettes.

Sky Blue (#82CFE0): This bright, vibrant shade of blue is perfect for creating eye-catching elements. Its intensity adds contrast and can help to draw attention to certain elements in a design.

Steel Blue (#62A8D1): This cool, dark shade of blue has an almost steely appearance. It can add depth and drama to a design and works well when paired with lighter shades of blue.

When using a blue pastel palette in your designs, it’s important to keep in mind that these colors tend to look best when used in moderation. Too much blue can become overwhelming, so use it sparingly and pair it with other colors to create a balanced look.

Code	Color
#748DA6
#9CB4CC
#93C6E7
#AEE2FF
#B9F3FC
#98E8D5 (Mint Blue)
#82CFE0 (Sky Blue)
#62A8D1 (Steel Blue)

Bright Pastel

This palette consists of soft, muted hues that are not too saturated but still bold enough to be eye-catching. 

It looks stunning when used as background colors in website designs and is also perfect for creating modern, bright posters and flyers. Try using a few of these shades to create geometric patterns and shapes, or combine them with more muted tones to create a softer look.

When using the bright pastel palette, use darker, contrasting fonts to make the colors stand out even more. This palette will bring life to any design when you get it right.

Code	Color
#B9F3E4
#EA8FEA
#FFAACF
#F6E6C2
#FDFDBD

How to Use Wave.video to Create a Pastel Colors-Based Project for Your Brand

Wave.video sets you up for success. Create custom pastel colors for your brand quickly and conveniently. Here’s how to go about it:

• Open Wave.video, sign in or sign up for an account. 
• Click on “My Projects,” hover your cursor above the “Create” button, then click “Blank Video” or “Blank Image”. 
• Select any video format, click “My Brand,” then click “Manage Brands,” as shown below.
• Click the plus (+) sign under the color subsection and add your pastels. Use color codes for more convenience.

Ready to take your brand to the next level? Have a look at this advanced guide on how to create your brand preset in Wave.video.

FAQs

What is the meaning behind pastel colors?

Pastel colors have a unique meaning that can be interpreted in various ways depending on the context of their use. Generally speaking, pastel colors are associated with a sense of softness and tranquility. They are often used to evoke feelings of warmth, comfort, and relaxation. 

These colors also provide a subtle hint of sophistication that can be seen in many modern interior design choices. The muted hues of pastel colors are also associated with a youthful, carefree energy that can create an inviting atmosphere in any space. 

Pastels have a light and airy feel that makes them a popular choice for creating content with a cheerful, optimistic tone; or even bringing a sense of joy and playfulness to a design.

Is grey considered a pastel color?

The answer to this question is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no. Generally, grey is not considered a pastel color, as it lacks most pastels’ soft, muted look. 

However, some shades of grey, such as light greys or greys with hints of other colors, can be considered pastel colors depending on the context. For example, certain shades of warm or cool grey could be considered pastel colors when paired with other muted colors.

It’s important to note that any shade of grey can be considered a pastel color if mixed with other colors to create a muted, soft look. The amount of grey used in the mixture will determine whether or not it is a true pastel color. If too much grey is used, the hue will be too dull to be considered a pastel.

How to make a color pastel?

Making a color pastel is a simple and easy process that can be done in many ways. The easiest and most popular method is to use a basic color wheel. 

Start by selecting a color from the wheel that you want to lighten up, then add white to it until you have achieved the desired shade. You can also add other colors, such as pink or gray, to lighten your chosen color further. 

Another way to make a pastel is to mix two complementary colors. Complementary colors are colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel. This will create a softer and lighter shade of both colors combined. 

Another method involves desaturating any color to make it pastel. This means reducing the vibrancy and brightness of the color. This can be done with digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Wave.video, or GIMP, or you can use physical media such as colored pencils and watercolor paints.

Final Thoughts

Pastel colors are perfect for bringing a touch of sophistication and softness to any design. Whether you’re working on a website, a logo, or a piece of art, the right pastel color combination can make all the difference.

The beauty is that you can never go wrong, and the options are almost limitless. Try out different color combinations with your designs, and remember, the right tool can yield the best results with minimal effort on your part.