The endless chatter around the long-awaited remake of the childhood classic, complete with its star-studded cast, has seen the world go Barbie – and pink – mad in recent months.
For those living in a completely different, monochrome world, the film features Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as the bleach blonde Barbie and Ken duo who get a shock when they leave Barbie Land for the real world and discover the perils of living among humans.
The comedy-fantasy Hollywood creation, much like its popular dolls and countless animated films, is characterised by its bright pink colour tone. And now it seems like the whole world has been illuminated with the trademark Barbie colour.
You can’t turn your head without seeing something pink as you walk down the street, whether it’s in shop windows or a party of friends dressed up to go and watch the film. If you check your the news or social media, there are endless snaps of glam celebrities wearing fuchsia gowns at international premieres and brands hopping on board the pink parade, too.
When it comes to interiors, TikTok content tagged #BarbiecoreInterior has been viewed 4.6 million times globally and UK Google searches for ‘Barbiecore’ have increased 2732% in the past year with 7,000 searches every month.
Yep, Brits too have been picking up paint brushes and transforming their homes into Barbie-esque pink-topias – in a home makeover trend sparked by Greta Gerwig’s new film. If you’re thinking about doing the same, we’ve asked some experts to share their top on how to pinkify your home.
Candy Cane Matt Emulsion
According to latest data from home and garden retailer wilko, sales of pink paint have surged by 53% over the past month, coinciding with the much-anticipated release of the new Barbie movie.
This has clearly taken root in Brits’ home décor choices, causing a huge 211% spike in searches for ‘Barbie’ on the website of homeware and household goods purveyors Wilko over the past two weeks.
One specific paint – Candy Cane Matt Emulsion – has been deemed the perfect shade of Barbie pink and has been flying off the shelves, causing a 103% sales surge on wilko.com in the lead up to the release of the blockbuster movie.
Nik Fowden, Senior Buyer at Wilko, said: “Barbie-mania has definitely taken hold of lots of wilko customers and influenced one of our favourite home makeover trends to date – the all-pink look – causing this boom in searches for and sales of pink items and paint.’
‘We’re really pleased to see customers daring to break away from everyday home décor and creating their own vibrant Barbie Land space – who doesn’t love a bit of pink to brighten a room!”
Pink Bathrooms
According to research by the experts at MyJobQoute.co.uk, searches for pink kitchens and bathrooms have soared, too.
Incorporating the colour pink in a bathroom can be challenging. However, with the right elements and toning, it can look great. It’s best to opt for softer pink tones in this room, such as bubble gum or candyfloss pink. For a more dramatic and varied look, consider installing some bathroom wallpaper on the walls with floral patterns in various pink shades.
Following on from the main décor, you then want to think about the accessories and fixtures. Retro-style fixtures and accessories work well with pink, helping to inspire the nostalgia of the Barbie era. A freestanding glossy pink bathtub could look amazing in this setting, providing you have enough space – this could make the perfect focal point for the room.
Gold and brass fixtures are a great touch when it comes to pink décor. Imagine a pink bathtub paired with gold or brass taps, and you’ll be picturing something straight out of Barbie’s dreamhouse.
Lighting also plays an important role in a pink bathroom as this helps to create the right ambience in the space. In a larger bathroom, you could create the ultimate luxurious space by adding a beautiful, ornate chandelier in the centre of the room. For smaller bathrooms, choose smaller pendant lights with pink accents. Consider adding a dimmer switch so that you can adjust the lighting as desired.
When it comes to accents and smaller décor items, you want to choose fun and playful elements. Consider adding some framed pink artwork or even perhaps some framed Barbie images for the ultimate Barbiecore experience. Include some smaller, comforting accents such as fluffy pink towels, a plush rug, or decorative storage solutions filled with pink bath products.
Pink Kitchens
According MyJobQoute.co.uk pink kitchen searches have also seen a huge increase. Pink is an incredibly versatile colour with many different shades, allowing you to achieve a range of different looks. Studies suggest that pink has a calming effect, which can work well in both the kitchen and bathroom setting.
When it comes to creating a pink kitchen, colour drenching is one of the best things you can do. This involves including various shades and tones of pink over as many surfaces as possible. If you want to go all-out with your pink kitchen, choose a bold, bright shade of pink for your kitchen walls and cabinetry. You can prevent the pink from becoming too overwhelming by pairing it with some more neutral accessories, such as a white backsplash or neutral countertop.
White marble countertops work very well in a pink kitchen and will provide that added bit of luxury. Wood tones also work very well in a pink kitchen. Consider choosing wood for the flooring, as this goes very well with pink – particularly softer shades of pink.
Similar to a pink bathroom, brass or gold fixtures work very well. When it comes to your sink, consider installing brass or gold taps for the ultimate luxurious aesthetic. Gold or brass handles on your pink kitchen cabinets can also look incredibly sleek and sophisticated.
5 Top Barbiecore Home Interior Considerations
Sylvia James of Homehow, in collaboration with ConservatoryLand, tells us that “since 1959, Barbie has been an icon of fashion and mod home design, as well as being a symbol of fun. As a child, we all wanted a Barbie dreamhouse. Now, people are less afraid and becoming more daring with their interior design choices. This has led to an increase in people living out their childhood dreams.”
She adds “since the Covid-19 pandemic, people have been shifting to more daring and playful home designs as they want an enjoyable place to live – and the Barbiecore home trend has soared in popularity.”
Sylvia top five considerations for achieving the look in your home are…
Stick To One Pink Hue
Choose your favourite shade of pink and select homeware that’s as close to this shade as possible, for a more considered, low-key look. Moody or romantic shades of pink work well.
Begin With A Neutral Palette
Begin by adding some bold, bright colours on smaller things like painted furniture. For a larger approach, consider painting a bright and bold feature wall. Pair these elements with neutrals and crisp whites to ensure the pink colours really pop.
Choose Bold Lighting
Consider combining interesting lighting elements with some bold artwork for a more dramatic look. The Barbiecore trend is all about being bold and unafraid, so have fun with your designs and don’t hold back. Artwork is also a quick, simple way to update a room so you needn’t be scared of making a statement.
Choose Luxurious Textures
Barbiecore is all about luxurious textures and fabrics such as velvet and fur. Consider adding some faux fur cushions to your couch or add a fluffy statement rug to the room. When designing your space, consider how you can incorporate different textures in your home. Combine pink with gold for a complete luxury look.
Create A Walk-In Wardrobe
When you think Barbie, fashion is one of the first things that comes to mind. Consider adding some touches to your wardrobe to make it more glamorous. Why not create a full walk in wardrobe and dressing room?
Consider adding a dressing table and a velvet stool. Put all of your prettiest clothing and shoes on display. If you’re storing items, add some pretty storage containers to help keep everything neat and tidy.
Rob Smith, General Manager of ConservatoryLand adds that “a conservatory can be a great space to transform into a playroom, and we’ve seen many of our customers do this. Incorporating Barbiecore decor into a conservatory playroom is a brilliant way to introduce a fun and vibrant energy into the space while the nostalgia of the trend can bring about a sense of playfulness and joy to inspire imaginative play.”
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are many ways in which you can embrace this rising trend in your bathroom or kitchen. The most important part of the Barbiecore trend? – Fun! Be adventurous and fun with your pink kitchen and bathroom décor ideas, and you’ll soon see what works for you and what doesn’t.
If you’re looking for a subtle Barbie-esque pink aesthetic, here’s some more top tips to help create your dream Barbie-inspired home look.
Or, if you’re looking to embrace the Barbiecore trend in other ways, from rose quartz-coloured hotels in Jaipur and hot pink properties in Ibiza and Beverly Hills, here’s a roundup of top preppy pink holiday stays that we’re pretty sure Barbie would love!