‘Barbiecore’ Is the Latest Home Decor Trend, But What Is It?
Updated: Sep. 13, 2023
It's a Barbie world, and we can all be Barbie girls.
Is life in plastic really all that fantastic? This summer, interior designers and casual Barbie fans alike give an emphatic yes. All over TikTok and Instagram, lovers of the classic Mattel doll are embracing her iconic pink color palette in their home decor through a trend known as “Barbiecore.” With no indication of the maximalist pink party dying down this summer, let’s take a closer look at Barbiecore: what it is, why it’s popular right now, and how to achieve it in your own home. Whether you just need a fresh pop of color or aspire to live in your own dreamhouse, this fantastically fun trend has something for you.
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What Is Barbiecore?
At its most basic, Barbiecore is the utilization of a bold pink color palette, in fashion or home decor. While hot pink is the essential shade, similarly vibrant hues like fuchsia and magenta are also ideal. However, Barbiecore also contains references to nostalgic furniture and architectural forms. As Architectural Digest points out, Mattel has released many versions of the dream house from 1962 onward. In line with this time frame, the most recognizable Barbie dreamhouse takes inspiration from midcentury Palm Springs design.
Why Is Barbiecore Popular Right Now?
There are a few key reasons that the pretty pink aesthetic is taking social media by storm. First, and perhaps most obviously, is the release of Greta Gerwig’s new Barbie movie on July 21. The marketing campaign of the much-anticipated film drummed up a resurgence of appreciation and nostalgia for Barbie, her fashion, her dreamhouse, and, of course, her bimbo boyfriend Ken. This renewed interest is reflected in the increased search volume on Pinterest for terms like “Barbie aesthetic bedroom,” which saw a 1135% increase from May 2022 to May 2023, overlapping with the film’s publicity cycle.
But the trends’ origins run even deeper than that. Dedicated fashionistas will recognize Barbiecore’s statement-making pink as Valentino Pink PP, the powerful, vibrant hue from Valentino’s Autumn 2022/Winter 2023 collection (named after creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli). In a natural extension of the fashion trend, it’s now no longer enough to have Barbie’s wardrobe—fans want to make their own Barbie houses too.
Finally, Barbiecore’s fun and maximalist ideologies are a much-needed antidote to sterile minimalism and pandemic boredom, as the New York Times explains: “Hot pink fits right into maximalism, which experienced a resurgence in recent years as a response to the cool minimalist aesthetic that dominated Instagram feeds for so long. During the pandemic, people leaned into their personal styles at home, disco balls to homemade tiles.”
How Can I Embrace Barbiecore?
From pink paint to pink lighting, there are dozens of ways to live in color this summer!
A Little Bit Barbie
If you’re Barbie-curious, but not yet ready to go full dream house, there are numerous small ways to incorporate the Barbiecore aesthetic. First, try using colored LED lights to cast a pink glow over your living room or bedroom. You can also add small decor touches like throw pillows, blankets, rugs, or bedding to add exciting pops of pink. In the bathroom, you could incorporate a hot pink, plasticky shower curtain or even an ornate pink-framed mirror.
If you’re worried about balancing all that pink, try adding a bit of green through leafy patterned fabric or houseplants. Because pink and green are opposites on the color wheel, they are natural complementary partners. Plus, the pairing easily evokes that dreamy Palm Springs vacation vibe.
Barbie to the Max
If you yearn for your own dreamhouse, take your cues from Melanie Griffith, the Nashville-based designer whose hot pink “retro glam house” has become a social media sensation. Start with a fresh coat of pink paint; Griffith used Shermin-Williams’ “In the Pink” and Eaton House Studios’ Ken, but we also love Backdrop’s Barbie collection. Multiple shades can be used on the walls and any cabinets to add dimension to the monochrome palette.
Once the paint is applied, search for pink tiles for the floor and any backsplashes. Fuschia Merola and Apollo glass mosaic add a shot of fun while still feeling lived-in. Finally, complete the look with all-pink appliances. While you can often buy appliances in a sweet millennial pink shade, like this retro microwave, for a true hot pink, you will likely need to paint the appliances yourself, as Griffith did.
And with that, it’s time to jump into your pink corvette for the most fabulous trip to Home Depot—just don’t forget Ken!
