Got Barbie fever? Introducing Barbiecore interiors
The world really has gone Barbie mad with the release of the new Barbie film this July. And it’s not just on our social media feeds or our television screens. More people seem to be searching for and inspired by pink interiors. The #pinkdecor hashtag on TikTok has seen an 85% increase and the term ‘Barbiecore’ has seen a whopping 488% increase on Pinterest.
So if you’re ready for pink interiors, I’ve collected some ideas on how you can introduce it in your home.
Introduce multiple shades of pink
For the ultimate pink home that truly looks like the Barbie DreamHouse, use lots of different shades of pink instead of choosing one. You can get light, mid and dark pinks that will add plenty of drama. Some pinks are so light, they could almost be mistaken for a shade of white. This is exactly how the Barbie movie director, Great Gerwig, achieved the look in their own DreamHouse on set.
James Roberts, Director at Sanctuary Bathrooms, says: “If you’re going full Barbie-mode, incorporate pink furniture in the likes of a vanity or storage unit to give the room a dollhouse feel. If you want to open up the space and create an even bolder look, consider installing pink tiles in your flooring.”
Consider your finishes
Achieving a Barbie DreamHouse look isn’t just about making everything pink – it’s about the final details too. The finishes you choose, no matter what your design project, are essential.
Shiny plastic-like materials were used on set to exaggerate the feeling that the house is a toy. Barbie’s bed has a sequin throw and pink glass was used in some of the decor, like the lamp in her bedroom.
Her bed has a huge velvet headboard that showcases a scalloped edge, making it look like a shell.
Finally, gold accents are introduced in the Barbie DreamHouse – a small chair and footstool in her bedroom have gold legs and the cutlery and hairbrushes are light gold.
Vibrancy is key
If you truly want to explore Barbiecore to the max, don’t be afraid to go big or go home. Vibrancy is absolutely key, so choose bright, florescent pinks that will make you happy.
You can break pink walls up with some decorative artwork, plants, shelving and more, like in the image above. Green goes great with pink, so introducing some plants (faux or real) will add a touch of freshness.
Contrasting colours work too
The Barbie DreamHouse is mostly pink, however some other bold colours have been introduced to again give a ‘toy’ impression. Blue in particular is used in the sky, in Barbie’s pool and in some objects within the house, such as lamps.
With the same colours repeated consistently, it does give an odd, artificial feel.
While you may not want to go all out in creating a DreamHouse, you can use blues and greens to create contrast in the same way.
Exploring the set Barbie DreamHouse
Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer are the two women behind the beautiful DreamHouse that has been made for the 2023 Barbie movie. Greenwood and Spencer have previously created sets for the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, as well as period dramas like Pride and Prejudice.
They took some inspiration from the Kaufmann Desert House, once owned by Barry Manilow, and Palm Springs. Of course went wild with pink, too. Gerwig specified that the pink was the most important aspect in order to achieve the ‘toy’ look: “I wanted the pinks to be very bright, and everything to be almost too much.” She didn’t want to “forget what made me love Barbie when I was a little girl.”
They used so much Rosco pink paint that there were shortages. Greenwood commented that “the world ran out of pink” thanks to their set construction.
Spencer also commented: “Taking it probably from the late 50s through the 60s was a big influence of that modernist furniture that was coming through.”
*Data compiled by Sanctuary Bathrooms. Image credit goes to them too.
