If you want pleasing, pastel colors, it is best to use the HLS system.
final float hue = random.nextFloat();
// Saturation between 0.1 and 0.3
final float saturation = (random.nextInt(2000) + 1000) / 10000f;
final float luminance = 0.9f;
final Color color = Color.getHSBColor(hue, saturation, luminance);