Using pastel colours in web design

Undoubtedly, the current popular trend for web design is for bold. bright colours that really stand out. But this doesnt mean that pastel colours cant also be incredibly effective. They can. However, pastel colours used to be the mainstream colour used across any website. So why the change? And how can pastel colours achieve the effect you are aiming for? Well, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester, we are Manchester’s leading web design and web marketing experts. We work with companies and businesses across the North West, from Southport to Wigan, to provide effective, and successful web design solutions. As a result, we have produced this guide to using pastel colours in web design.

Pastel colours

Pastel colours were used extensively on the web, not so long ago. But in recent years, bolder, more eye-catching colours have taken centre stage, and pastel colours have been pushed out. But there are a number of websites out there, using pastel colours effectively, to add something different and interesting to their web design. Pastel colours cover the entire colour spectrum, but these are paler shades of usually prominent, bright colours. Pastel blues, yellows, oranges and pinks are all options for any web design. And these colours are quite seasonal currently, as they are often associated with Spring.

Advantages of pastel colours in web design

So, why should you choose pastel colours for your web design? Well, pastel colours in web design can bring a range of benefits, including:

  • Offering something visually different- pastel colours are very different to bright, bold colours that are currently used extensively. This means that your website could attract attention, by being different to others. A website that stands out, is more likely to be remembered, so pastel colours could have a very positive impact on your sales and sign ups.
  • Easy to create contrast- creating contrast is easy with pastel colours. Because these are paler than others, they can be an effective background colour for darker text or headings, or even used alongside brighter colours to create really eye-catching visual designs.
  • Psychology- colour psychology is important to research when establishing your company branding, even if you can simply dismiss the research afterwards. In terms of psychology, pastel colours are generally calm and reassuring. This makes your website feel safe and welcoming for new customers, and it could promote more sales and sign ups.

Using pastel colours in web design

So, how can pastel colours be used in web design? Well, there are a number of tried and tested methods, including:

  • Background colour- choosing a pastel colour for the primary colour of your website is a good option because it means that any brighter, secondary or tertiary colours, will stand out of the page and draw attention to different web design elements. Like your call to action button, or your headings.
  • Combining different pastel colours- Instead of opting for a bold colour to pair with your pastel background, you could mix and match different pastel colours. This can be very visually effective.

For more information or for professional web design support, get in touch with the experts today, here at Pumpkin Web Design Manchester.