What Is The Marshmallow Aesthetic, And How Can You Use It In Home Decor?

Move over, Mob Wife and Tomato Girl aesthetic — there's a new look in town. It's called the marshmallow aesthetic, and it's just about as fluffy and sweet as it sounds. As its name suggests, it's a look that's defined by poofy, dreamlike visuals that ooze comfort. And it probably shouldn't come as a surprise that it's becoming popular in a time where people are desperate for a little coziness.

If you, too, have been wishing that everything in your home felt just a tad softer, it's the aesthetic you can start applying to your home design today. Think overstuffed cushions, soft and dreamy pastel paint colors, rounded corners, and airy spaces. Critically, the comfort inherent in the marshmallow aesthetic doesn't come at the expense of style. By sticking to clean lines, a minimalist approach, and upscale textures and color palettes, the marshmallow aesthetic can translate to a home design that feels just as sophisticated as it does soft.

There are tons of ways to embrace the marshmallow aesthetic in your home design. A great place to start is with the shapes inside your space. Find ways to keep their lines clean, but make them more rounded or curved. For example, look to round barrel chairs, curved sofas, and circular ottomans, coffee tables, or kitchen tables. Curved entryways and windows are another striking way to enhance a room via the marshmallow aesthetic. But if you're not up for the challenge of creating DIY arches in your doorways, you can play around with design tricks like curved curtain rods or arched drapes on big windows.

When you can't switch up the fixtures in your home, turn to products like overstuffed pillows, cloud-like duvet covers, or thick, textured throws to add comfort in the form of poofiness to your lounging spaces. You can also apply the marshmallow aesthetic to smaller accent points in your home. Try items like arched floating shelves or tables with orbed or circular legs.

And it's not only about shapes — like any design philosophy, color is also key. Since the marshmallow aesthetic is all about sophisticated coziness, it works well with colors that evoke tranquility. Keep palettes warm and soft with pastels, beiges, and gentle taupes.

Keep in mind that the marshmallow aesthetic captures the quiet luxury of comfort, embracing softness and serenity over anything overly casual or disheveled. It's more the calm elegance of a high-end hotel suite rather than the dated family den. It works best when lines are clean and clutter is minimal.

Of course, that doesn't mean you're limited to boring beiges or spaces that lack personality. Playing around with complementary textures — think sleek wooden floors, fuzzy fur throws, and breezy linen curtains — adds depth without clutter. Even if your overall color palette leans towards muted tones, don't be afraid to brighten things up with a few poofy accent pillows or some vibrant artwork. Thoughtful use of items like fresh flowers, lush houseplants, mirrors, modern lamps, or flickering candles can all add visual interest and enhance the cozy marshmallow vibe without overwhelming the space. The end result? A balanced, inviting home that looks (almost) sweet enough to eat.