August 14, 2023

Decorating with Barbiecore: The Hot Pink Trend That Will Transform Your House

So many people are excited about the Barbie movie in 2023 – we’re no exception at Frenchic. That’s not just because of its star-studded cast or positive vibes, but also because of the exciting hot-pink trend that it’s fuelling.

Barbiecore is back – and this is an exciting time for interior designer enthusiasts and professionals alike!  

In this post, we’re going to provide you with an extensive guide that will help you understand how you can add a touch of Barbiecore to your interiors! We’ll discuss the history of Barbiecore, which paint colours fit perfectly and some important tips to help you incorporate the power of pink into your interior designs.  

What is Barbiecore?

Originally created in 1959 by American Businesswoman Ruth Handler, Barbie dolls have long had an influence on culture. Named after her daughter, Barbara, the dolls quickly became one of the most popular toys on the market. Since then, girls around the world have been introduced to the character of Barbie in all her forms – and all her outfits! Today, they are nothing short of a household name.

In the modern-day Barbie has faced some controversy due to its classic take on gender roles. However, the original idea from Handler was to create a toy that would allow children a chance to explore their future dreams. This idea has continued ever since, with different versions of Barbie that range from doctor to astronaut. So, it’s safe to say that Barbie has come a long way from just being a simple doll with blonde hair in a ponytail.  

But what exactly is Barbiecore? How did a toy transform into an aesthetic movement? In short, Barbiecore is the aesthetic of hot pink fashion, interiors, exteriors and accessories. You could say it began in the mid-to-late 1990s and continued all the way through the 2000s. Barbiecore was a look taken up by many different celebrities including Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.  

The re-emergence of this trend has been on the horizon for some time now. In the early 2020s, there have been many fashion trends that lean towards hot pink. But now, with the release of Barbie the movie, we are seeing a new wave of hot pink outfits, buildings and interiors!  

How to incorporate Barbiecore into interior design  

The resurgence of pink tones is an exciting time in the world of painting, crafting and interior design. Here at Frenchic, we’ve been exploring the different ways that you can incorporate the Barbiecore aesthetic into your interiors. 

For a glimpse at what's possible take a look at how Frenchic Fan Rachel (over at @nancyannerevivals) used Love Letter to create a colourful scalloped effect on this furniture...

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How do I decorate with pink? 

So, what do we think about decorating with pink? Well, you should know that pink tones are anything but boring. This colour can give an interior a completely different look depending on the tone that you choose. From subtle, through cool, to shocking, there are many ways that pink can give a room a unique feel. We have a diverse range of paints that you can use to help get the most out of Barbiecore interiors.  

Go steady with earthy undertones  

A good starting point for pink decoration is pinks that have dusky undertones. These will offer a distinctive base colour, but also infuse a sense of warmth and charm into your home. You can consider these an alternative to many grey or beige-toned natural hues. 

Some of the colours we’d suggest for this purpose include Dusky Blush and Nougat. Both with give the interior or object you are decorating a touch of colour without having to commit to a brighter pink.  

Add a cool touch  

But what if you’re looking for something a little cooler? If this is the case, you should consider a brighter pink with a touch of smoke in its base. Either Rosy Dusk or Golightly offer this middle-ground between dark shades of pink and more striking tones.  

Go bolder

Perhaps you are thinking of going a little braver or maybe you are a budding maximalist! Using a strong pink with darker, earthy or red undertones for you walls is a great way to inject warmth and cosiness with character. Check out the fabulous Fifi's Fancy if this is your aim.

Is there anywhere to avoid with pink?

One thing to be clear about is that the more vibrant pinks are best avoided in rooms where you want to relax. Let’s take the classic hot pink normally associated with Barbiecore as an example. While this might be a good choice for Barbie's bedroom, it may be a little too loud for the rest of us. Using bright colours in areas where you are supposed to unwind can make them feel less cosy.  

However, if you love the idea of using a bright pink shade for your interiors, you could use it in small amounts for a ‘pop’ of colour in these spaces. Adding an accent of pink with certain fixtures can give the room you’re painting a lift without committing to such a bright aesthetic. Alternatively, you can dedicate this colour to rooms that do not need a soothing feel – for example, a porch, den or downstairs bathroom.  

4 ways to incorporate pink with ease

Pinks work well with most colours you can choose. However, there are some surfaces and colour combinations that are surefire hits. Let’s look at some of the best things you can pair them with: 

1. Natural materials like woods (or wood tones), rattan or cane, teamed with botanical elements like plants
2. Pink and green should always be seen! This is a rule you can go by, and the two colours match remarkably well. Go for tones that are similar to promote a relaxed feel
3. Deep shades of blue team fabulously with soft pinks, so if you choose a strong blue then you will be able to make something striking. 
4. What about darker colours? If you want something with a little drama but retaining a muted feel, you can consider adding black or a very dark shade of grey. For a more classic look, you can even incorporate gold or another warm metallic shade.  

Remember, you don’t have to commit to painting a whole room! There are many simple ways to experiment with any colour. For example, try a painting a feature wall or a piece of furniture (or even the inside of a cupboard) and live with it for a while to see how the colour grows on you.

Take a look at this luxe locker revamp from Frenchic Fan Kayleigh (over at @do.it.yourself.mum) for example! Kayleigh used a mix of our soft, muted pink with beige undertones shade Last Dance from our Chalk Wall Paint Range with a touch of our slightly off white shade Wedding Cake from The Lazy Range to create a lighter pink hue...

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Once you’re on board with pink interiors trend, you can get creative with new ideas like colour drenching. This refers to using pink on both your walls and woodwork to create a seamless, pared down look.

Get involved with the Barbiecore trend today! 

Barbiecore is back with the movie giving us a resurgence in pink colour trends. At Frenchic, we make it easy to add these colours to your home with a collection of beautiful pink paint shades formulated specifically for the surfaces in your home.

Our pink furniture paint can be used on wood, PVC and laminate surfaces, while pink wall paint provides a fantastic ultra-matte finish that’s highly scrubbable. From pale pink and pastels to hot pink and bold shades, it’s never been easier to unleash your inner Barbie!

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