Bringing in $162 million, Barbie scored the largest opening for a female-directed film in history, as Greta Gerwig took on the challenge to bring a feminist lens to the iconic doll. Features abound of the astronomical marketing budget, as Warner Bros. reportedly spent $150 million on promoting Barbie, according to a new Variety report. The life-size Barbie boxes primed for posing moments have splashed across every social media channel.
With a massive budget, rumors of a pink paint shortage, and a plenty of people ready for some fun on their grey and white walls, interior designers have also embraced the hot pink vibes. Inspired by the iconic Barbie dream homes, Barbiecore brightness is officially a home design trend. HGTV has even launched Barbie’s Dreamhouse Challenge, a new home makeover show, to transform a Southern California home, one room at a time.
Some may argue this style – pink and bright and exciting – is embodying a trend that is actually a constant, something that is always in style. “Barbiecore embraces all that is fun, whimsical, and unabashedly bold,” shares Havenly designer Heather Goerzen.
This pop-art maximalism style has been gaining some prominence even before Barbie. Designer Tay BeeBop is known on TikTok (with 151.4 million views) and in design circles for her bold use of color and DIY craft-inspired bold interiors. Bubblegum culture and fast fashion already has been spilling into interior design.
If this design interests you, or you’re just looking to inject a little fun into your home, be wary of diving too deep into a trend. As designers warn, it can be easy to get carried away with a particular theme or let your heart rule your head. Athina Bluff, founder and senior designer at Topology Interiors, goes on to say, “If you love it, do it,” but cautions against taking anything too far or doing something that is hard to reverse in case you ever wish to switch back.
Good interior design involves understanding your needs and style, planning and visualizing the layout. The paint color and the pops of whimsy are the fun part, but to have a beautiful room you first need to dedicate your energy to focusing on lighting, decluttering and organizing, investing in quality basics, and adding textures and layers. The key is to create a harmonious and functional space that reflects your personality while ensuring comfort and functionality.
If you are a fan of the Barbiecore aesthetic, go for it! Trust your instincts and create a balanced ambiance that brings you joy and satisfaction, but keep in mind that your tastes may change, and have a plan to scale it back in the future. Buying a pink chair or other fun accent items is one thing, but repainting the interior or exterior of your home is another level – potentially an expensive one – to undo.