Top 10 tips for using pastels

1# Go contemporary:

Decor Advisor

The use of pastels doesn't have to be restricted to quaint cottage themes; they look stunning used in contemporary motifs too. 2# Pretty modern cottage themes:

Belle Chantelle

Pastels still have their place in cottage themes; quaint and dainty or fresh and modern – they'll look fantastic in either. 3# Chose monochromatic:

Elpozo Deagua

Monochromatic pastels look awesome. Just remember to keep the tones within the pastel ranges. 4# Team them with grey:

Pop Sugar

Pastels look stunning against mid and dark tones of grey. 5# Add splashes of bold colour:

Decoist

Add splashed of bolder colours to stop pastels from looking to washed out and insipid. 6# Opt for sorbet shades:

Simone Design Blog

If pastels are too pale for you, use on-trend sorbet colours instead. 7# Rough them up with texture:

Decoist

Bring a modern edge to pastels by roughing them up with texture. 8# Calm bold décor with pastel accessories:

Houzz

Pastels have a natural ability to calm bold decorating schemes without detracting from the essence of the style. 9# 2015 trends – en plein air:

British Ceramic Tile

Go for one of this year's colour trends of 'en plein air' using butter-milk and soft blues. 10# 50 shades of grey:

Deco Hubs

Who can resist using a monochromatic grey colour scheme this year?!