The use of pastel colors in web design is not just a current trend. This is a technique that designers have used for years to create impressive results. The phrase “pastel colors” brings to mind pale shades of pink, blue and yellow, but the color palette is actually much richer than that. There is a place in it not only for baby shades.

Today you will learn about ten ways to use pastel colors in web design. . Which web design elements use them most effectively?

Photos

Overlaying a photo with pastel colors, or the photo itself taken in such tones, can serve as a very neat background for the site. The more muted the colors in the photograph, the more more possibilities to place other elements.

Pastel photos also help create contrast between the image and other elements such as logos or buttons. Notice how wonderfully the logo on the Solasie website fits into the photo. IN in this case A transparent button would also look appropriate.

Background

A pastel background allows you to use a variety of colors without overwhelming the user. Because of their softness, these shades can fill the entire background without creating an overpowering effect.

A popular technique when working with pastel backgrounds is to use variations of a single shade to create a monochromatic color scheme, like on the website Dear Mum. Just one color with slight variations creates a good picture and contrasts well with white elements. This technique is also suitable for creating a fashionable mood and hipster style. But in this case, you need to choose the right typography.

Bold pastel colors

Of course, the terms “bold” and “pastel colors” don’t often appear together. However, this does not mean that their combination does not occur at all. Since pastel colors always give way in the battle for the user's attention, you can do almost anything around them.

A great example of such experiments is the Marie Catrib website. Pastel colors look bold, but are not striking, giving the woman in the photo the opportunity to capture the attention of the visitor. A completely muted background would not produce the same effect.

Pastel mood

How do you want your website visitors to feel? Pastel colors will greatly help you create a mood of calm, relaxation and simplicity. If these characteristics suit your website or business, then opt for a pastel palette.

Website Sweez is a great example of how color conveys emotion. All images and graphic elements are made in muted, pastel shades. This site awakens the desire to sit in a quiet, peaceful place, enjoying a delicious, hot cappuccino. See how effective simple colors are!

Illustrations

Pastel colors are a great choice for illustration. Use this color scheme to create an illustration that will appeal to your visitor.

The pastel-colored illustration conveys the idea of ​​what it depicts, but combines the message with a mood of calm created by the colors. This solution allows you to use images in the most unexpected places.

Contrast

Do not use pastel colors in a vacuum. They look great, contrasting with other elements.

The Kinder Fotografie website is a great example of the use of pastel colors, light photographs and text. On the pastel part of the design there are many small parts, however, the visitor first of all sees a photo of children and the word “smiles.” Only then the eye begins to notice these wonderful details.

Navigation

Soft colors may also be suitable for designing navigation elements. Typically, navigation bars are designed in black and white, but a color version is also a completely acceptable solution.

There is a reason why it makes sense to use pastel colors in navigation elements: they are not noticeable and do not distract the user from the main content. Let's take the site as an example Wonderfully Wild. The first thing a user notices is a photo. Navigation elements fit well with the rest of the design, but do not come to the fore.

Flat design

The current fashion for pastel colors is largely due to flat design, or rather to the very beginning of its popularity, when flat design in very light shades was in trend.

The good thing about using pastel colors in flat design is that the colors carry the same meaning and message as regular shades, only in our version they don’t “shout out” the content, attracting all the attention. The user referral process becomes a little easier. You can easily attract attention to the desired part of the screen or highlight the desired element.

Typography

There are no restrictions on using pastel colors only in the background or images. You can also use them in typography (although this is not at all easy).

It is best to design large, large inscriptions in such shades against a more rigid background. If you design your text with a bold stroke, you will notice that the colors on the screen will look more muted. This concept applies to inscriptions that do not contain a large number of characters, and in no case to ordinary general text.

User Interface Elements

The use of pastel colors in the design of user interface elements is another solution that flat design brought us. Buttons and other UI elements can also be soft, light colors.

On the site Duy Tran, each pastel-colored block is essentially an exaggerated button. Soft colors visually separate the blocks and make them easy to click. The shades also stand out as they provide contrast to the more minimalist design of the common content area.

conclusions

When working with pastel colors, aim for a fresh rather than washed-out look. Combine muted colors with rich hues and photographs. Take advantage of the calming effect of pastel colors and make sure they fit into the overall design.

Translation – Duty room

An interior in pastel colors will not only look beautiful, but will also have a beneficial effect on psychological condition person. Even bright colors, diluted with a white tone, will be pleasing to the eye and create a relaxing, pleasant atmosphere.

Design features

Pastel shades are considered to be diluted with white. Visually, it looks like a white veil has been applied to an ordinary pure tone. The result is a pleasant, light shade.

• Considering the nature of the pastel palette, it would be a good interior solution to use it to decorate small rooms. Light wallpaper will visually increase the space.
• Pastel goes well with white and gray tone, as well as with more vivid manifestations of its shade.
• Pastel colors look good both as a background and as accents.

For rooms with windows facing north, it is better to choose pastel wallpaper in a warm tone, such as yellow or peach. Cool tones, blue, mint, lavender, are suitable for the south side.

Color selection

Pastel pink

An incredibly delicate and light pastel tone is associated with powdery rose petals. Soft pink wallpaper looks good in the interior of a children's room for girls, a bedroom, a living room and other rooms in the house.

Pastel yellow

Positive sunny unobtrusive pastel tone. It will look harmonious in the interior with neutral basic colors such as white and beige. Pale yellow wallpaper will brighten up a room whose windows face north.

Light peach and light coral

Tones that are close to each other will add color to the interior and make it brighter. They will look harmonious with turquoise and blue. Peach will be harmonious in quality base color walls Coral tone is more suitable as a bright accent.

Pastel lilac and lavender

Soft purple goes well with white and gray. The ideal wallpaper tone for decorating a living space in a classic or Provence style, the design will be fresh and cozy.

Pastel green and mint

Pastel green walls not only look refreshing, but will also have a positive effect on the psychological side of a person. Mint is a suitable option for an interior in the style of shabby chic and Provence; green shades will look warmer.

Pastel blue

Soft pastel blue will be associated with summer skies and clear water. Cool shades of wallpaper are best used for interior design with south-facing windows.

Cream, ivory

Cream pastel wallpaper is ideal as a background, it is not as bright as white and looks much softer. Both shades of pastel will be harmonious in classic and modern style. The interior can be diluted with details of other, brighter colors.

The photo shows a minimalist kitchen in color Ivory, some of the facades are decorated with wood.

Wallpaper in pastel colors

Plain

Pastel plain wallpaper will become an elegant backdrop in the interior. The walls can be decorated with wallpaper of the same color, thereby giving freedom in the choice of furniture and decorative parts.

With a picture or pattern

The pattern or ornament on the wallpaper plays an important role in the overall picture; it emphasizes the chosen style of the room.

• Geometric patterns or stripes will decorate a modern interior;
• Ornate monograms correspond to the classical direction;
• Cute floral patterns on the wallpaper are suitable for a shabby chic design;
• Imitation of any material, such as plaster or brickwork decorate the interior in rustic or Provence style.

On the picture dinner Zone in Provence style. The walls are covered with pastel wallpaper violet shade in different manifestations.

Photo wallpaper

Wallpaper with photo printing allows you to make your interior completely unique. Photo wallpapers with images in pastel colors can decorate one or more walls, thereby becoming a gentle accent in the interior.

The photo shows a children's room in nautical style, the design is predominantly white and soft blue pastel colors, one of the walls is decorated with wallpaper with photo printing.

Textured

The wallpaper has a pleasant textured surface that forms a variety of images, these can be floral patterns, geometric figures, imitation plaster or other patterns. In combination with pastel colors you will get an interesting and discreet design.

The photo shows a nursery design with textured liquid wallpaper in light yellow tones.

Photos in the interior of the living room, kitchen

The living room and kitchen are the places where you spend a lot of time; when renovating, you should choose the most pleasant palette for wallpaper so that over time you don’t get tired of it, and the colors continue to please you.

The photo shows a modern living room in beige tones. Participates in the design as accents peach shade.

Several bright ones decorative elements, for example, an ottoman, a painting, dishes or flowers will “revive” the interior and make it brighter.

Design of a bedroom, children's room

The bedroom and children's room are the most suitable rooms for decoration in a soft pastel palette. The interior will be light and bright, the wallpaper will create a positive, non-irritating atmosphere.

The photo shows a bedroom in a neoclassical style, decorated in a white and peach palette.

In a nursery, pastel colors can serve as a background, and the content can be brighter. For a bedroom, a combination with a light shade close to white would be ideal; the room will be romantic and airy.

Bathroom and hallway

One of the main advantages of light color is its ability to visually expand space. In standard city apartments, the corridor and bathroom do not have large areas, and pastel colors will visually make them more spacious and brighter.

Photo in the interior of a country house

Delicate palette in conditions country house will look stylish, open spaces and large rooms fill the house with light.

In addition to decoration, pastel shades can fill the interior through furniture and other details, for example, an antique pale green cabinet will become the main object in the bedroom, and a pale blue wooden set in combination with linen textiles will make the kitchen sophisticated and romantic.

Furniture and decor

Furniture

Pastel furniture items color range can become either the main object of attention in the interior or be a laconic and inconspicuous addition. For example, a vintage chest of drawers or a pale lavender velvet chair dressing table will certainly attract attention, and a cream-colored sofa or dining table will soon become a continuation of the design idea.

Curtains

Tulle of one color or another can change the perception of the room, for example, a light yellow or peach shade will make the room warmer, and blue, lilac or mint, on the contrary, will refresh it. Curtains made of thick fabric will protect from excess light, while preserving space.

Textile

The textile part of the design makes the interior cozy. Pillows, blankets and rugs are details that can slightly change the mood of the home, making it playful, for example, with floral pattern on a pink background or romantic with plain soft lavender accents.

Paintings and posters

Paintings even in the same color palette can look completely different, depending on the writing technique and image style. The drawing can support the overall stylistic direction or reflect a thematic idea.

Accessories

Decorative interior items are the finishing touch in creating an apartment design. Candlesticks, ceramic figurines or flower vases will add romantic notes to the interior of the room. In a nursery these can be beautiful dolls, soft toys or night lights, in the kitchen decorative wall plates or useful little things, and in the bathroom there is a rug, boxes or cups for brushes and soap.

Style decision

Shabby chic

Shabby chic is the most cozy and homely style, which cannot be imagined without finishing and filling in pastel colors. Pastel wallpaper with playful floral patterns, furniture with flowing shapes and lots of cute decorative elements will envelop your home in an atmosphere of coziness. The colors most often used in shabby chic design are milky, mint, peach, pink.

Provence

Provence style is associated with space and the charm of endless lavender fields. Pastel accents on a white or milky background will make the interior airy and delicate. The walls can be decorated with plain wallpaper, plaster, wallpaper with floral patterns or frescoes.

Modern

Style allows you to combine different colors and materials. In the design of one room, pastel wallpaper will look harmonious, for example with geometric patterns of the same color, but of different saturation. The furniture has simple shapes, and decorative items will highlight the style of the room.

Classic

Pastel colors in classic interior create an incredibly delicate and elegant design. The walls will be decorated with wallpaper with a slightly noticeable pattern, and elegant furniture and noble textiles will complete the look. The design can be left in one color tone or you can add several bright colors in the form of paintings or fresh flowers.

Scandinavian

It is usually done in light, soft colors. The basis is most often taken White color, multi-colored details act as accents, for example pieces of furniture, textiles, and part of the decoration. Details of any color will look harmonious.

On the picture

Nautical

Light colors of turquoise, blue and beige colour will make the interior incredibly fresh and fill it with marine motifs. Gentle colors can be used as the main ones in the interior or as additional ones.

A color scheme

Combination with neutral shades

To obtain the easiest and most delicate interior most a successful combination will come with neutral shades such as white and light grey. Both colors combine harmoniously with almost everything. color palette, and in combination with pastel colors creates a romantic and relaxing design.

Monochromatic

This is a combination of one color of different saturation, from white pastel to deep shade. In the interior, such a combination can be found in the decoration or filling of the room, for example, wallpaper with a smoothly flowing pattern or a sofa with brighter pillows and blankets.

The diagram shows an example of monochromatic combination.

The photo shows a stylish compact living room. The design uses a monochromatic combination of lavender shades.

Complimentary

Opposite shades of color are considered complementary color wheel, such as soft pink and blue. In apartment design, this combination looks brighter and more interesting. Despite the contrasting colors, the room will not be overloaded due to soft shades.

Similar

The shades adjacent in the circle will become a continuation of each other in the interior of the room. The shades are close to each other, but are not variations of the same color.

Modern web designers often see their primary task in their work as creating a bright, distinctive landing page or website. Rich colors are used for this, as this is the easiest way to be remembered and stand out from other competitive resources. All designers and marketers know that color is a powerful conversion optimization tool: color can attract attention, direct it to an important part of the page, encourage action, and evoke certain emotions. However, it turns out that not only bright colors can be effective.

Recently, there has been a tendency to use muted colors in graphic design. It is believed that pastel colors create a calm and comfortable atmosphere. This perfect color for websites and landing pages with women's themes. For example, when it comes to clothes or fashion in general.

Perhaps this is a tribute to fashion or the rare use of the so-called “pastel” is due to the fact that it is not so easy to implement on high level. After all, there is a danger of getting a too soft, faded feeling. It takes certain skills to get the right balance between shades and colors. In addition, the design can, and in some cases even needs to be diluted bright colors. For example, to draw attention to the central CTA element of the page (lead form, etc.).

In this post we bring to your attention a very successful examples use of pastel shades in different options and on resources on various topics. Perhaps some of them will inspire you to change.

Pastel colors as a background

Pastel backgrounds with correct use They allow you to enliven the landing page with just one color, without overloading the design with all sorts of elements. They can also help create the right atmosphere in a commercial site, as Vancleef and Arpels do with pale pink shades or Evoke Cafe with a soothing blue palette. There is one more point that should be mentioned - photographs look more expressive on a pastel background than on a bright one.

Dear Mum - this landing page allows you to congratulate mothers on their day in an unusual way. By specifying a few personal parameters and uploading your mother’s photo, you can create a congratulation mini-site in a couple of minutes. This one is touching and original gift has already been appreciated by thousands of mothers around the world.

Van Cleef & Arpels is a French brand of watches, jewelry and perfumes. The company was founded in 1896 and has since become famous for its intricately shaped jewelry. IN different times they were worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and the Duchess of Windsor.

Evoke is a spacious coffee shop in Oklahoma (USA). Jason and Janine Duncan, the creators of Evoke, describe their establishment as “It’s a great place for drinks, food and conversation.” And they add: “In any case, you will get delicious coffee, a great barista and happy memories.”

Pastel fonts

Pastel fonts are used to add a cheerful note of color to an overall calm design. It is fonts that make it possible to create a truly unique design that will be remembered and liked by many users. Another benefit of pastel fonts is that you can use complementary colors without it looking tacky. Examples are in front of you.

4. Petit-mariage-entre-amis.fr

Petit Mariage Entre Amis is a French platform that allows future newlyweds to create a functional and attractively designed wedding blog. The blog will tell your friends about the wedding theme, timing, and possible changes in the celebration plan. The presented functionality helps in preparing for the wedding. Judging by the reviews, the site is really convenient and useful.

Future Of Car Sharing - this parallax landing page with horizontal scrolling allows residents North America exchange cars for certain period. By becoming a member of the club, an American resident gets access to a huge fleet of cars of different brands.

Lebanese by birth, Maria Caribs moved to the United States in the seventies to pursue her American dream. Love for people and cuisine, which has always been in the blood of this cheerful strong woman, helped her bring her plans to life. Now Maria has a restaurant in Michigan with the same name.

“Don't lose focus—just keep doing,” Marie says. - It doesn't matter how old you are. If you can breathe and move, you can do what you set out to do.”

A varied menu is what first attracts people to the restaurant. Do you want juicy roast beef or Leningrad-style beef? Go to Michigan.

Pastel logos

Using pastel colors when creating a logo makes it possible to effectively and unobtrusively convey the meaning of your brand to the buyer. Pastel colors are associated with modern trends, acting more subtle than bright ones. Pastel allows you to create more modern and lighter logos, ideal for many companies (web design studios, confectionery shops and many others).

Raphs Patisserie is Ralph Severiano Ribeiro's signature eatery. Just looking at the photos of cakes, brownies, and candies displayed on the site makes your mouth water. They are all incredibly beautifully designed.

Isadora Design is a web design studio in California. Working with clients in areas such as branding, e-commerce, landing pages, the studio’s specialists manage to create highly personalized and high-quality resources. This is largely facilitated by the team’s motto - maximum creativity and innovation.

Sweez is a fifties style cafe. Located in Brazil, state of Rio Grande do Sul. Includes a pastry shop, a chocolate shop and a cafe itself. The success of the establishment, according to founders Karina Bidez and Gabrielle Dalsoto, is ensured by a combination of international best practices with Brazilian traditions.