Best examples of pastel colors

For so many of us, the introduction to pastel colors may have been your earliest memory, coloring in a scrapbook, experimenting, and exploring as you unlocked the mystery of creativity. It’s this innate familiarity that helps infuse these light tones and subtle comforts deep within our psyche, anchoring us to somewhere safe and carefree. In this pleasantly down-tempo read, we will sail through the story of pastel, uncovering its secrets and most desirable effects, which, in turn, will make a lasting impression on your creations, delivering a visually satisfying experience.

What are pastel colors?

To understand what pastel colors images are, we must appreciate their original form, a drawing medium made up of pure pigment mixed with a binder to form a stick, often called pastel color names, such as mint green, periwinkle, and peach. Their effects on paper are what make this medium so popular among artists. With their high hue value and low saturation, they are a playful source of color, enabling the artist to blend colors easily. And thanks to their thick oily texture, they react to a rough or smooth canvas surface, often providing some rather unexpected results.

Further still, the benefits found in the art world have had no problem traversing into the digital landscape. In fact, their appeal is so far stretched we are seeing their positive effects everywhere, from e-commerce marketing campaigns and websites to niche product launches, these low saturation themes and backgrounds have made a profound effect on all of us, and their soft tone can be a far more appealing option in comparison to heavier and darker hues that often take away the subtleness of the brand’s message.

All pastel colors have one thing in common, the introduction of white mixed to the hue, giving it a paler tone compared to its original state. The tone is a way to describe the saturation or shade of a color, for example, dark red and light red. Pastel red would sit at the lighter end of the tone spectrum. Imagine you have added 60% white into your pure red mix, and you will have a pastel tone of red.

What is a pastel color palette?

To make the most of this highly communicative tone, you can have your pastel colors work for you. And one way of doing that is by forming a pastel color palette, a strategic, predetermined set of pastel color codes, or hex colors, that work towards a common goal, such as branding or a composition that follows a specific pastel color scheme. Picking the right colors for your brand is essential to your brand’s identity, and learning about it can keep your designs competitive and functional. When colors work together, they help balance out the design, and the outcomes can be deeply psychological, facilitating an emotional response from your audience.

What effects do pastel colors have on your audience?

Color is one of the most important elements in design as it provides audiences with an atmosphere that, in turn, speaks to us emotionally. From fear and love to peace and war, there is a hue that conveys and supports your compositions in every eventuality. This is called color psychology. A form of visual dialogue that speaks to our subconscious. Get your head around this fascinating concept, and your designs will speak on another level entirely.

So what do pastel colors represent?

Since pastel colors are a muted representation of all the colors, they still do their job of conveying much of the visual language their hue represents. A baby blue pastel color might be used in a logo or website design for a wellness brand, expressing feelings of calm and tranquility as it pulls in the more comforting traits blues have to offer.

Overall, pastel colors can evoke various emotions from the audience, from calmness and relaxation to elegance and sophistication. Their subtlety and softness can make a dramatic impact on designs and influence the audience’s perception and emotions.

10 examples of pastel colors used in design

Take some inspiration from these pastel color trends and examples that have already proven their effectiveness across the visual landscape that define the meaning of color:

Pink pastel color combination

Pastel pink is a versatile color in design. Paired with white, it creates a soft, feminine look, ideal for beauty or fashion brands. When combined with dark gray or black, it adds a sophisticated edge to professional designs. For a playful, energetic vibe, pastel pink can be combined with other pastel colors like mint green or baby blue, making it perfect for spring-themed designs or children’s products and pink wallpaper.

Blue pastel color combination

Pastel blue is a calming, soothing color often used in design. When paired with white, it creates a serene, clean look, ideal for wellness or healthcare brands. Combined with pastel pink or peach, it brings a soft, romantic appeal, perfect for wedding invitations or boutique branding. Pastel blue also pairs well with earth tones, providing a fresh contrast suitable for eco-friendly or outdoor-themed designs.

Purple pastel color combination

Pastel purple exudes a calming, mystical quality in design. Paired with white, it offers a dreamy, ethereal aesthetic, ideal for spiritual or wellness brands. When combined with pastel pink or blue, it creates a whimsical, fairytale-like vibe, great for children’s books or event invitations. Pastel purple also harmonizes with silver or gold accents, providing an elegant and luxurious feel, suitable for high-end product packaging or branding.

Brown pastel color combination

Pastel brown exudes a warm, earthy feel in design. When paired with cream or white, it offers a neutral, clean aesthetic, suitable for minimalist or organic brands. Combined with pastel blues or greens, it creates a calming, nature-inspired vibe, perfect for wellness or eco-friendly projects. Pastel brown also contrasts nicely with bolder hues like teal or burgundy, providing a balanced, grounded look for more dynamic designs.

Red pastel color combination

Pastel red, often seen as coral or salmon, brings warmth and energy to designs. Paired with white, it creates a fresh, inviting look, ideal for food or hospitality brands. When combined with navy blue or forest green, it offers a sophisticated contrast, perfect for professional designs. With other pastels like mint green or lavender, it creates a soft, playful palette, great for spring-themed campaigns or children’s products.

Orange pastel color combination

Pastel orange, often represented as peach, brings a warm, inviting vibe to designs. Paired with pastel blues, it creates a beachy, relaxed atmosphere, ideal for travel or lifestyle brands. When combined with darker colors like navy or burgundy, it offers a striking contrast, perfect for modern, bold designs. Pastel orange also works well with other pastels, creating a soft, harmonious palette suitable for children’s products or spring-inspired themes.

Yellow pastel color combination

Pastel yellow radiates cheerfulness and light in design. When combined with white or cream, it creates a fresh, airy aesthetic, ideal for wellness or home decor brands. Paired with pastel green or blue, it evokes a breezy, spring-like vibe, perfect for garden-themed designs. Pastel yellow also contrasts beautifully with darker shades like charcoal or navy, offering a modern, dynamic look suitable for bold, innovative brands.

Green pastel color combination

Pastel green offers a soothing, natural feel in design. When paired with white, it creates a fresh, clean look, ideal for eco-friendly or wellness brands. Combined with pastel pink or purple, it brings a soft, garden-inspired appeal, perfect for floral or spring-themed designs. Pastel green also harmonizes well with earth tones like brown or beige, adding a touch of tranquility suitable for home decor or health-focused projects.

Spring pastel color combination

Spring pastel combinations, like lavender and mint green or baby blue and peach, bring a fresh, vibrant feel to design projects. Ideal for floral designs, garden-themed branding, or Easter campaigns, they evoke a sense of renewal and growth. These combinations also work well in children’s products, creating a soft, playful atmosphere. Paired with light neutrals, spring pastels can create harmonious, soothing designs.

Easter pastel color combination

Easter pastel color combinations like soft pink and mint green or lavender and baby yellow evoke a sense of joy, renewal, and springtime freshness. They’re perfect for Easter-themed designs, children’s products, or any project aiming for a light, cheerful vibe. Paired with simple typography and playful graphics, these colors can create lively, festive designs that capture the spirit of the Easter holiday.

Why are pastel colors associated with easter?

Pastel colors are associated with Easter due to their resemblance to the soft hues of spring. They symbolize the joy and new life that comes with the resurrection of Jesus, a central theme of Easter. Pastel colors are also found in nature during spring, seen in blooming flowers and the emergence of new life. Additionally, specific pastel colors have religious meanings: for example, red symbolizes the blood of Christ, and yellow represents joy and the glorious resurrection of Jesus.

How to get a pastel color palette from a photo

If you’re lucky enough to be working with an image that emits a certain pastel flavor, then perhaps you might be interested in this highly advantageous technique. As we all know, images are created by colorful pixels. And with every image, you will have a set of colors that dominate the photo.

What if you could extract these colors to form a color palette unique to that image alone? Well, you can, and the results are flourishing. Using the color picker tool found in Illustrator and Photoshop, select up to five colors saving them into your swatch library to form a pastel color palette that resonates with the image in perfect harmony, enabling you to fill graphic elements, fonts, and illustrations to form a truly cohesive look to your designs.

Check out this tutorial available on the Freepik Youtube channel for a more in-depth look at how to get a color palette from a photo.

The use of color palettes in design is essential in setting boundaries for you to work in. Without such limitations, your work can lose touch with its structured purpose, leading to inconsistencies and ultimately resulting in a composition lacking discipline.

Tips for using pastel colors

To get the most out of pastel colors, there are a few useful tips to keep your compositions looking sharp and well balanced for a look that will drive engagement and satisfy your audiences.

• Balance with neutral colors: Pastel colors work best when paired with neutral or white backgrounds. This allows them to stand out without becoming too overwhelming.
• Use for highlighting: Pastel colors can be used to highlight important elements in your design, drawing the viewer’s attention.
• Mix and match: Don’t be afraid to mix different pastel shades. They typically blend well together due to their low saturation.
• Add contrast: Although pastels are soft, they can be used to create contrast. Pair light pastels with darker shades for an effective contrast.
• Consider your message: Pastels often evoke feelings of calm, peace, and sophistication. Make sure this aligns with your brand message or the tone of your project.
• Test readability: If using pastels for text, ensure that it’s easy to read against the background. You may need to use a darker shade or outline for clarity.
• Less is more: Too many pastel colors can make a design look washed out. Stick to a few key shades for a cohesive look.

Pastel colors are a true gift to the design world. Their light tones and subtle comforts create a mesmerizing rhythm that resonates throughout our visual world. Embracing new design styles and techniques is always rewarding, and exploring the realm of pastel colors might just be the missing piece to elevate your creative repertoire. Add this secret weapon to your arsenal and watch as it propels you towards your next big project triumph.