A Sophisticated Twist on the ‘Barbiecore’ Craze

This design theme is all about playfulness, but it’s maturing. Check out how Barbie-inspired aesthetics are upgrading the feeling of luxury.

July 17, 2023

While the much-anticipated “Barbie” movie hits theaters this weekend, the iconic doll has become a muse in home design, inspiring real-life versions of a Barbie Dream Home. Labeled “Barbiecore,” interior designers and even home stagers are taking note of this design theme’s use of pink, frills and wavy, playful designs. It has sparked a movement, inspiring today’s interiors at all price points.

Barbie loves to splash everything in pink, and the hue has become such a “hot” color that a global shortage of pink paint occurred earlier this year. Industry experts say the movie has sparked increased some of that demand for pink, which contributed to the supply shortage. The film’s production designer, Sarah Greenwood, declared to the media: “The world ran out of pink.”

For more on the Barbiecore trend, listen to the below "Hot or Not" segment from NAR's Real Estate Today podcast.

Many of the 2023 colors of the year, chosen by leading paint firms, are tints of pink, lending even more buzz to the Barbiecore trend. But while pink can feel childish to some, designers are winning over fans by rising above the bubble-gum pinks. They’re using the style to showcase greater personality and memorable interiors that move beyond simple, all-white, straight-edged silhouettes. That’s brought new interpretations to Barbie’s playful, child-like designs that are being channeled into sophisticated, luxury interiors (still with lots of pink). Check out these examples from leading interior designers.