This story was updated on Dec. 1, 2022.
It’s a Barbie World in interior design these days.
As Americans anticipate the release of “Barbie,” the movie starring Margot Robbie set to hit theaters in 2023, and celebrate the 60-year anniversary of the Barbie Dreamhouse, “Barbiecore” is the interior design trend of the moment, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has reported on its blog.
The design wave includes — you guessed it — lots of pink, frills, vintage finds, florals, curvy furnishings and beds and sofas evocative of clouds. Plenty of holiday shoppers are also now channeling the trend to find gifts for the Barbie-obsessed people in their lives.
“The nostalgia of Barbie’s iconic home has influenced the ‘Barbiecore’ movement, which draws on colorful, playful designs — and, of course, includes plenty of pink!” NAR blog contributor Melissa Dittmann Tracey wrote.
Dittmann Tracey noted that homeowners and designers are adapting the design movement to their own tastes, by using varying shades of pink, for instance, rather than staying true to Barbie’s classic bubblegum hot pink.
Homeowners are playing with different shades of pink as part of the “Barbiecore” trend | Євгенія Височина / Unsplash
Floral prints on linens or wallpaper are another theme of the trend that gives off Barbie vibes.
Floral wallpaper and curved furniture channel “Barbiecore” | Vostok / Getty Images
Vintage artwork, like postcard prints that hearken back to Barbie’s start in the ’60s, also help set the Barbie party scene in a home.
California Retro Poster | VectorUp / Getty Images
Curved home furnishings, like this rounded sofa, also exude the Barbie aesthetic.
Round sofa with glam pillows | Kwanchai_Khammuean / Getty Images
During the holiday season, a pink artificial tree can set the tone for a smashing holiday party — à la Barbie.
Pink artificial tree | mela nie / Unsplash
Whether inadvertently or not, socialite Paris Hilton also played into the Barbiecore trend back in August with a TikTok tribute to celebrity pal Britney Spears and her collaboration with Elton John on a song called “Hold Me Closer,” which was released on Aug. 26, 2022. The song marked Spears’ first new release in six years.
@parishilton “Hold Me Closer” is officially out & I’ll be playing it on repeat until further notice! So proud of you sis @britneyspears 👑🧚♀️💖 #HoldMeCloser #Sliving #ThatsHot ♬ Hold Me Closer – Elton John & Britney Spears
In the video, Hilton rocks out to Spears and John’s new tune while decked out in a bubblegum pink athleisure suit, sneakers and matching sunglasses, all atop of a bubblegum pink sports car. “Yaaass Britney the queen is back!” text superimposed above the video proclaims.
The real life “Barbie penthouse” | Zillow
The real life “Barbie penthouse,” located in Los Angeles, and once owned by Mattell founders Ruth and Elliot Handler, who raised their children Barbara and Kenneth there (AKA “Barbie and Ken”), went on the market for the first time in August 2021 for $9.99 million. At that time, the listing was represented by Douglas Elliman’s Scott Segall and Carrie Berkman Lewis. Today, the three-bedroom, 3,200-square-foot property is being represented by The Altman Brothers Team for $8.99 million.
