Color Guide: How to Work With Pink
From Barbie to bodacious, pink deserves to venture into rooms beyond the nursery. Way beyond
Samantha Schoech
7 September 2012
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design. I just completed my first remodel, turning my crumbling 1941 kitchen into a beauty of grays, whites and natural wood. If I could, I'd sleep on the countertop. That's how much I love it.
You can also read my parenting blog on Baby Center http://blogs.babycenter.com/author/sschoech/
Houzz Contributor. I am a former magazine editor specializing in travel and design.... More
Pink is associated with love, spring, babies, femininity and good health. In its hotter, brighter incarnation it signifies energy, passion and fun. From its palest blush to its most glowing magenta, pink is warm, comforting and soothing.
Basic pink is a mixture of red and white, but its bluer hues veer close to the purple family. In its warmer, yellower version it can be close to beige. And we musn't forget salmon, which is pink at its most orange.
Because pink varies so widely, there is almost nothing that can't be paired with it. Pink and green are preppy heaven. Pink and gray are making a huge comeback. Pink and orange make a sizzling couple. It looks fabulous with gold in almost any tone or hue, and its deepest, most vibrant magenta is currently enjoying favor among designers.
It bridges styles, eras and geography, showing up everywhere from Santa Fe to Versailles. It's popular in India. It's popular in Mexico. In little girls' rooms and Manhattan lofts.
Pink is a versatile color, but it is not a retreating one. Pink in any form is going to show up and make itself known. It can be used in place of a neutral, but it will always be very much itself, adding a warm glow wherever it lives.
Basic pink is a mixture of red and white, but its bluer hues veer close to the purple family. In its warmer, yellower version it can be close to beige. And we musn't forget salmon, which is pink at its most orange.
Because pink varies so widely, there is almost nothing that can't be paired with it. Pink and green are preppy heaven. Pink and gray are making a huge comeback. Pink and orange make a sizzling couple. It looks fabulous with gold in almost any tone or hue, and its deepest, most vibrant magenta is currently enjoying favor among designers.
It bridges styles, eras and geography, showing up everywhere from Santa Fe to Versailles. It's popular in India. It's popular in Mexico. In little girls' rooms and Manhattan lofts.
Pink is a versatile color, but it is not a retreating one. Pink in any form is going to show up and make itself known. It can be used in place of a neutral, but it will always be very much itself, adding a warm glow wherever it lives.
Pink on the Walls
A very pale, cool pink is perfect in this modern take on the girly nursery. It's pretty and soft but not cloying.
A very pale, cool pink is perfect in this modern take on the girly nursery. It's pretty and soft but not cloying.
A yellow-tone pink glows against the warm wood of the trim and provides a sophisticated background for this traditional room. Layers of pink, as long as they are in the same family, always work beautifully.
This slightly deeper light pink adds a feminine warmth to this traditional room. And a touch of glamour too.
True candy pink is hard to work with. Do it wrong and it's Pepto Bismol on the walls. But do it right — with other vibrant colors, mixed patterns and nothing match-matchy, and you get this: a vibrant, cheerful, eclectic-traditional room.
Here, candy pink is over-the-top girly, which is great if that's what you're going for.
Even brighter still. Put this on your walls and you are making a statement. This room is all about luxury, opulence and hyperfemininity. If I had to guess, I'd say the owner of this room likes to be pampered.
A dark salmon does not have the same immediate association with femininity that other pinks do. It is a more traditional wall color that looks great with browns and creams and can accommodate lots of different styles and personalities.
The supervibrant salmon is very nearly an orangey red. But it still has the flirty feeling of pink. It's almost like the bedroom is winking at you.
Shots of Hot Pink
An accent wall is the perfect way to add some really vivid, daring pink without feeling overwhelmed by it. This hot pink looks so modern and glamorous.
An accent wall is the perfect way to add some really vivid, daring pink without feeling overwhelmed by it. This hot pink looks so modern and glamorous.
This bluer shocking pink gives this very neutral bedroom its big personality.
A purplish-pink table look so great next to this vivid blue wall. That took some guts, and it all worked out swimmingly.
Hot pink with beige and salmon. Fun but not wild.
A cool, bright magenta and light blue. Modern elegance with a healthy dollop of glamour.
Blossom Pink
Candy pink (I wore a blush of that name in eighth grade) can look fun and modern when used in unexpected places. Imagine this desk against a pale turquoise wall. Oh la la.
Candy pink (I wore a blush of that name in eighth grade) can look fun and modern when used in unexpected places. Imagine this desk against a pale turquoise wall. Oh la la.
Pink in the Bedroom
Pink in the bedroom does not have to be girly. In this eclectic room it is paired with blues and browns and lots of rough texture. It's gender neutral and very inviting.
Pink in the bedroom does not have to be girly. In this eclectic room it is paired with blues and browns and lots of rough texture. It's gender neutral and very inviting.
Little dollops of pink in the throw and the art soften this gray room.
Pink is popular in eclectic, exotic and boho design. It's the perfect color to support a crazy mash-up of texture and pattern. It has such a sense of fun.
Pink Upholstery
Unexpected bright pink on very traditional chairs. It looks great with the turquoise accessories and adds just a tiny bit of sizzle to a seriously buttoned-up room.
Unexpected bright pink on very traditional chairs. It looks great with the turquoise accessories and adds just a tiny bit of sizzle to a seriously buttoned-up room.
A pale, beigey-pink sofa is the anchor in this glamorous room. I can see Lana Turner lounging here.
A more midcentury modern take on the pink sofa. Even with all the color here, there is something spare about this room.
Pale-pink clapboard evokes the Caribbean, but you have to be careful about what kind of architecture you are putting it on.
Another summery, tropical-pink house — a Frank Gehry project in New Orleans.
A pale, warm yellow. See how it can almost read as beige?
A much bluer pale pink, slightly more baby blush than the one above.
A little darker but still very soft.
Nearly lavender.
Blossom pink.
Candy pink. She's no shrinking violet.
Vivid, hot pink.
Do you love pink? Share your room shot below!
Do you love pink? Share your room shot below!
Related Stories
Kitchen Guides
10 Key Kitchen Dimensions You Need to Know
Here are key kitchen dimensions that will help you design like a pro
Full Story
More Room Guides
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer?
From furnishing working drawings to beautifying the home, find out how an interior designer plays multifunctional roles
Full Story
More Room Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
What Are the Ideal Wardrobe Measurements?
Here are dimensions for different types of wardrobe designs that ensure maximum functionality and storage
Full Story
Architecture
These Indian Homes Know How To Combat Harsh Climate
See how these homes by SPASM, Kumar Moorthy & Associates and JPLUSDARCHITECTS mitigate the ramifications of harsh climate ahead of time
Full Story
Architecture
How to Find an Architect That's Right for You
Make the construction and renovation of your home a pleasant and memorable journey by selecting the right architect
Full Story
Bathroom Guides
Step-by-Step: A Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom
Planning to renovate your bathroom? Learn about the different stages involved in the remodelling process
Full Story
Living Rooms
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story
We have beautiful tile in our entryway that has a
Hint of pink in it.
What colors should we use on the walls to tone down the pink look?