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Mauve, the soft purple hue that sits between violet and pink, has emerged as one of this year's biggest interior design trends, according to experts.
While the revival may conjure memories of the floral, pastel interiors that defined the 1980s, today's mauve is a world away from its dated predecessor.
'It's become one of those quietly beautiful colours that adds character without shouting for attention,' Jordana Ashkenazi, founder and design director of Element One House tells the Daily Mail.
Richer, softer and more sophisticated, the shade has been reimagined as a warm, versatile neutral that feels both contemporary and timeless.
Once considered a colour best reserved for accents, designers are now embracing mauve on a much larger scale, using it in place of traditional whites, greys and beiges throughout the home.
Its understated warmth and depth make it equally suited to creating calming bedrooms, elegant living spaces and inviting kitchens.
'For years, interiors felt very flat. We saw endless grey, black and white spaces where colour almost disappeared altogether,' Jordana explains.
'Now there's a real change happening as people are becoming much more confident with colour again, introducing it through upholstery, wallpaper, florals and layered fabrics that make a room feel warm, inviting and full of personality.
'Homes are being decorated around what people genuinely love rather than one prescribed, pared-back aesthetic, and that's exactly why colours like mauve suddenly feel so relevant again.'
Far from being outdated, mauve is making a stylish comeback, whether introduced through floor-to-ceiling paint, statement furniture, or subtle accessories that add warmth and character without overwhelming a space.
Ways to incorporate mauve into your home
There are plenty of ways to bring mauve into your home without allowing it to become overpowering.
Jordana explains that one of the most sophisticated approaches is to choose a neutral paint colour with a subtle mauve undertone.
'It doesn't need to look obviously purple. Many greiges, grey-beiges, soft taupes and pink-greys can give a hint of mauve as the light changes throughout the day.'
She highlights Farrow & Ball's Elephant's Breath paint, thanks to its soft, neutral tone, which reveals a gentle mauve undertone in certain lighting.
'This is probably the easiest way to incorporate mauve because the room still feels neutral. You get that softness coming through as the light changes.'
As with any paint choice, it is always worth testing several large samples on different walls first, as natural light, artificial lighting and surrounding furnishings can all influence the way the colour appears.
Wallpaper is another wonderful way to introduce mauve, particularly as decorative prints and floral designs continue to make a comeback.
However, this purplish hue does not need to dominate a room. Jordana explains that it can simply be one thread running through a pattern alongside other shades.
For those who need convincing, cloakrooms are the perfect place to experiment and embrace something more adventurous.
'A beautiful scenic or patterned wallpaper with hints of mauve can make a small room feel memorable without overwhelming the main areas of the house,' Jordana says.
In living rooms, kitchens and dining spaces, she suggests taking a more considered approach.
'Introduce the colour through artwork, a rug, patterned cushions, a lampshade, a blind or decorative accessories rather than making it the main colour of the room.
'Even something as simple as a white and mauve striped cushion could look charming in the right space.'
For those like me, who love florals and have a particular fondness for William Morris designs, rugs are one of the easiest ways to bring this shade into a room.
Ruggable instantly comes to mind. I particularly love their version of Strawberry Thief - it would make a statement in any space.
Using mauve on furniture
When it comes to furniture, Jordana favours pattern over large expanses of solid mauve.
'One thing I'm seeing more of is colourful upholstery,' she notes. 'For years, it felt like every sofa had to be cream, grey or boucle. Now people are choosing floral fabrics, woven stripes and vintage-inspired prints that instantly bring warmth and personality into a room.'
She believes a floral sofa, patterned armchair or woven fabric featuring touches of mauve, pink and green will feel far more interesting than an entirely plain mauve piece. The colour becomes part of the story of the room rather than the sole focus.
For those introducing plain mauve furniture, Jordana advises carefully considering how the rest of the space works alongside it.
'If you're going for a colour-drenched look, with different shades of mauve and pink running throughout the room, it can look incredibly chic.
'What I'd avoid is placing one large mauve sofa in a neutral room and then matching it with mauve curtains, cushions and accessories. That's when it can start to feel forced and overly coordinated.
'Either commit to the colour properly or introduce it more gently through pattern, texture and smaller details.'
Materials and finishes to choose and avoid
The material chosen is just as important as the colour itself, as mauve can quickly feel dated when paired with the wrong finish.
'I would avoid crushed velvets, shiny velvets, glossy synthetic curtains and overly decorative fabrics,' says Jordana. 'To be honest, those finishes rarely look sophisticated in any colour, but mauve makes them unforgiving.'
'The same goes for shiny tufted headboards, glossy mauve cushions and rooms filled with matching velvet accessories. That's when the room starts to feel overly coordinated and slips back towards the look many people are trying to avoid.'
Instead, opt for soft, matte and tactile materials such as linen, wool, brushed cotton, woven fabrics and good-quality velvet with a subtle, low-sheen finish.
A faded floral, woven stripe, textured cloth or patterned fabric with hints of mauve will generally feel far more elevated than a plain, shiny mauve material.
The golden rule
According to Jordana, the best way to use mauve is not to allow it to take over the room.
'In a nursery, dressing room, cloakroom or feminine bedroom, you can be a little more generous with it because those spaces naturally suit its calming feel.'
In main living areas, however, it works best as a subtle thread woven through paint, wallpaper, artwork, pattern and texture.
'Unless you are deliberately creating a colour-drenched scheme, then mauve works best as one colour within a wider mix rather than trying to make it the star of the show. That's really why it feels so current again.'
As colour, pattern and florals continue to find their way back into our homes, mauve has found its place too.
Used thoughtfully, it feels soft, elegant and timeless rather than old-fashioned.
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