Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so since we’re all thinking about romance, dark chocolate and roses, let’s talk pink. Yes, pink.
Pink is often associated with childishness. Certainly when my daughter was a child, she wanted a pink bedroom. Not a delicate shade of rose, mind you, but full-on raging fuschia. Her wish was granted because it was her room, of course, but once she “grew up” she didn’t like it anymore. When it came time to sell our house, she happily painted over the pink with a soft white. What worked really well was that we staged it with all the best of her pink decor elements. So think pillows, a gigantic artificial gerbera daisy, a quilt over the foot of the bed, and an oversized black-and-white framed silhoette of Audrey Hepburn on a pink background. It all worked because those pops of bright pink weren’t overwhelming.
Thanks to the success of the Barbie movie, pink has found a new foothold in decor throughout the home. From couches to accent walls to kitchen appliances, pink is a versatile colour and can even appear neutral when its palest forms are used. Let’s face it, those stark white Scandi walls look gorgeous in photos, but a room with blushing pink walls is 100% more flattering to everyone’s skin and mood. It’s similar to the difference between a glowing incandescent bulb and the skin-bleaching surface of the sun. There’s a reason why earthy pink has been chosen by experts as the most beautiful colour for a room.
Pink is a gorgeous colour choice for home decor, but there’s a right way and a very wrong way to achieve the optimal sophisticated vibe. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Brush on the blush
Wall colour is tricky. Too much of one tone will change a neutral white to yellow, or a rich taupe to a weird purple. But a soft pink paint with just a hint of blush to it, in any light, will still whisper instead of shout “Heck, yeah, I’m PINK, baby! Deal with it!”
The lightest shade of pink keeps a room feeling airy and cool. It will warm up slightly at night but fade during the day to nearly white while still casting a lovely glow to everything around it. The lighter the pink, the more neutral it becomes, pairing well with light or dark grey and warm beige. If you want to go much cozier, stick to dusty and earthy shades of pink that appear almost neutral. These darker pinks will create the coziest affect at night. They’re dramatic, luxurious, and surprisingly easy to decorate around.
What you don’t want are pinks that are saturated with red pigments. If you really have your heart set on bright lipstick or raspberry walls, choose just one wall as an accent. Or use a peel-and-stick wall covering bursting with huge pink cabbage roses for a really dramatic effect that’s easy to get rid of if you ever get tired of it. As a rule of thumb, save the boldest shades or patterns for statement rooms like a living room, dining room, powder room or entryway.
Opt out of fussy furniture
Sure, you can go full-on shabby chic with lace and ruffles everywhere, but a single stand-out tufted pink couch in ever-popular velvet will look so much more chic. It would also look stunning against that cabbage rose wallpaper, or equally as lovely against a very dark wall to fully showcase it. This is also an approach that most people who aren’t sold on pink won’t object to. A completely pink room crammed with every pink artifact on the planet will just look overwhelming rather than elegant.
If you still want to go ahead with all four walls painted in your favourite shade of magenta, opt for all-white furniture, or a pastel shade that complements but doesn’t compete with your walls, either in a similar but much lighter tone for a colour-drenched cocoon effect, or try a complementary colour like seafoam green or very pale blue for quirky charm.
Accessorize with pops of pink
Layering is key. Don’t stick with one shade or tone throughout your room to avoid a bland look.
If you’ve already gone full Scandi but want to incorporate some fun elements into your white room, swap out some of your neutral pillows with bright or pale pink ones. Best of all, these can be mixed in with the pillows you already have, like the natural woven fiber, unbleached cotton, and even the black and white graphics for a punchier Boho vibe.
A pink rug is a really fun idea, and can tie in beautifully with your pink pillows, but it doesn’t have to be a solid shade of pink. Subtle tones of pink in the pattern can hint at the pink accessories around the room. Pink can also be used in the artwork above the furniture, or mixed in with the decorative elements you’ve curated. Mix metals like aged gold and brass in with the darker shades to add punches of light.
Deep, earthy pink is also a standout against those dark charcoal and black walls that are so popular right now. And because pink is so versatile, it looks just as fantastic with dark green, brown or navy blue. Adding pink accessories to a dark room adds a touch of whimsy and lightness. These darker pinks also work well with neutral colours like honey beige, warm brown, cinnamon and creamy whites.
Decorating with different tones of pink can create decor that’s intriguing and fun, but also sophisicated. Don’t be afraid to go pink!