12 Ideas for Decorating with Soft Colors

Although I’ve been adding earth tones and darker colors to my house, I do still love soft colors. We all have our color preference, whether we love the warm sunny colors of Tuscany, or are more drawn to the cool tones of the sea. I pulled together a few ideas for decorating with soft colors, which I think will lift your spirits during these winter days.

Living Room by Melbourne Furniture & Accessories Laura Ashley Australia

 

Bedrooms are the perfect spot for decorating with soft colors because they create a peaceful palette. I love the little fringe effect on the window shade.

Bedroom by Newport Interior Designers & Decorators Digs Design Company

 

Soft green makes an appearance in a farmhouse style kitchen in the form of diamonds on the floor and subway tile on the back splash. Also, did you notice the green glass knobs on the cabinet beneath the farmhouse sink?

 Kitchen by La Jolla Design-Build Firms Design Studio West

 

Light blue built-ins match the hue of the couch, allowing the eye to easily flow from one end of the room to the other. An oriental rug underfoot adds a touch of richer color and helps to ground the room.

Living Room by Weston Interior Designers & Decorators Karen Joy Interiors

 

Shiplap walls are painted a pale hue in this cozy bedroom that beckons you to enjoy a restful night. The lumpy feather-top bed reminds me of the super comfy bedrooms in my Grandma’s Wisconsin home.

Bedroom by Peachtree City Architects & Building Designers Our Town Plans

 

I think we typically relegate decorating with soft colors to cottage style rooms. But in this photo, soft blues and peach enhance the mid-century modern look of this stylish dining room.

Dining Room by San Diego Interior Designers & Decorators Original Style Design Studio

 

Pale yellow is almost always a perfect choice for a kitchen. This one wears a bit of sophistication with its dark counter tops and creative use of bead board on the ceiling.

Kitchen by New York Architects & Building Designers Gary Brewer Robert A.M. Stern Architects

 

A beautiful pastel living room is reminiscent of a vacation beach cottage. Simple furniture and white walls keep the room looking cool and beautiful. Perfect for summer!

Living Room by Other Metro Interior Designers & Decorators Alexandra Angle Interior Design

 

Splashes of aqua populate a cute, cottage kitchen. When you tire of the aqua, simply swap it out for another color!

Eclectic Kitchen by South West Media & Bloggers Torie Jayne

 

This gorgeous living room proves that decorating with soft colors can be sophisticated and grown up. Floral prints and an elegant chandelier add feminine appeal.

Living Room by Minneapolis Furniture & Accessories Unique By Design Ltd.

 

Soft colors don’t have to look young and girly when used in a child’s bedroom. The plaid blankets keep the room from looking too sweet and frilly – perfect for a young girl who’s growing up.

Kids Room by South West Furniture & Accessories Susie Watson Designs

 

And finally, one more sunny yellow room that proves decorating with soft colors can be both sophisticated and feminine at the same time. Gorgeous wood floors and a pretty chandelier add drama to the room.

Living Room by Charleston Interior Designers & Decorators MW Hunter Custom Design LLC

 

Do you like to add soft colors when decorating your home?

 

Enjoy More Decorating Colors:

A Touch of Pink for Every Room

Decorating with Yellow

How to Decorate with Aqua

Decorate with Pink Faux Flowers

White Bedroom Ideas

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22 Comments

  1. You probably know that soft colors are my favorite too. These rooms are beautiful and inspiring. It’s hard for me to imagine you as a tomboy, Jennifer. My 13 year old is quite the tomboy so you give me hope : ) !

  2. I’m also a fan of soft cool colors – no reds, yellows and brights for me. My home needs to be relaxing and calm, even though I no longer come home from a chaotic job and need the calm. The lack of a jolt of color pleases my eye and my soul. Thanks for showing these beautiful rooms to this former tomboy.

  3. I love all of these ! I am slowly transitioning to softer colors in my home. Although I like red, and in the fall I appreciate the warm colors of the season, I find the softer colors so much more relaxing and beautiful.

  4. I love red and use it as my fall and winter accent color. I keep my basics neutral with tan, cream and brown so in spring and summer I use soft yellows to accent…it’s amazing how different the rooms look with the change of color!

  5. I like soft colors but I want some gray in most of them. I have trouble finding the right color. What looks good on a 12×12 spot on the wall does not always come out so great when applied to the whole wall!

  6. I’ve had to decorate around 3 kids, 3 dogs and a husband so I felt the need to keep things dark (leather sofa). Didn’t want things to look dingy from the filth…but now as the kids are grown and out of the coop, I enjoy the ability of bringing in more brighter softer colors. It’s hard balancing the soft colors without looking to feminine though. Really pretty pictures.

  7. I like to look at these softly decorated rooms, I like the beach theme, but I could NEVER actually use them!
    I am a red girl! Red makes me feel good. I use my beachy accessories in summer with red, white, and blue.
    Thanks for always inspiring me.

  8. Jennifer,
    I love the soft colors. To me they are so comforting which is just want I need in my life at this time. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
    debbie

  9. This is a splendid collection of beautiful rooms done with soft colors. I think my favorite is the first picture with the matching easy chairs and drapes/shades. I love that floral pattern. Everything about the room is cool and relaxing. I also love the kitchen with the green subway tiles. That color is yummy!

  10. All though I really like all the fall colors for my home anything blue and white for spring summer I think is absolutely perfect. Their soft and relaxing . Beautiful rooms one is prettier than the other and I don’t green very much but the colors are so well put together here I like all of them….

  11. I love adding soft colors to my contemporary dark chocolate brown furniture. Pale blues, a wedgewood blue and white, gold, for bedroom. Living room different colors of turquoise and dark pinks and silver. Kitchen has dark furniture also but with splashs of celery, bright blue and red wine colors make it vibrant.

    Love the farm house kitchen and soft yellows for a kitchen- makes me want to paint my upper kitchen cabinets- now what color is that yellow?

  12. Really beautiful photos. I’m a cool color person, definitely, although I can also take those cool colors into the darker hues. I love blue from light to navy – I love green, but only the darker forest hues, no light or chartruse – reds for me must be dark and jewel tone or it’s too bright, and while I love dusty purple colors, no lilac for me. Another color you will never find in my home is yellow or gold. It just isn’t pleasing to my eye. It’s funny how different people see colors differently and what reaction certain colors cause. I need cool and calm but my daughter is a warm color person with golds, greens, turquoise and terra cotta colors.throughout. So happy we aren’t all the same …..

  13. I would love to know where the spread/quilt came from. the one pictured that was done by
    Newport Interior Designers / Decorators Digs Design Company.
    The spread is white with blue flowers and a green stem, its beautiful…

  14. Hi I am about to decorate my hall, I really want it to look very French, pale grey, with some wallpaper, but cannot find the right wallpaper for this ides. Any Suggestions please. Janet