The *Right* Way to Decorate with Pink, According to Design Experts
Long before the rise of millennial pink and Barbiecore, rosy hues have always had a place in fashion, interior design, and culture. Pink, in its various forms and undertones, instills an optimistic sense that we all crave, especially when it's used throughout a room. No matter your style or interests, it's hard not to fall for the blushing color. As designer Patrick Mele puts it, "Who doesn't love pink? If you don't love pink, you aren't in love with life."
The Connecticut-based designer notes that the color brings vibrancy to a room, uplifting everything and everyone within its warmth. It's no wonder that designers and homeowners enjoy incorporating the shade in their home, whether it's a softer neutral pink dressing the walls or bold fuchsia accents in upholstery fabrics.
Mele adds, "In a way, it's the color of warmth, glow, health, and all those are joyful. I think that it brings a lot of life into an atmosphere when used correctly, particularly warmer pinks, deeper pinks, or even cool pinks—the color has a special beauty to it."
Annie Sloan, a color expert and the creator of Chalk Paint, agrees that there is a shade of pink that can complement any color palette. The key is to understand the atmosphere you want to create in a space and choose a shade that conveys that feeling. Sloan explains, "Soft pinks are delightfully easy to work with and universally flattering, while hot pinks are directional and bold. A pastel pink ceiling casts a soft-focus rosy glow on inhabitants, ideal in dining spaces or bedrooms. However, beware—cheap pinks are noticeable, for all the wrong reasons!"
Are you ready for your Pretty In Pink moment? Below, the best colors to pair with pink when decorating a room, according to design experts.
The Best Colors That Go with Pink
Pink and Chocolate Brown
While pink and brown may seem like opposites, there's something about pairing them that creates a sweet yet polished look. Mele loves combining light shades of pink with rich, chocolate tones, as both colors bring depth and richness to a space. He says, "They feel so opposite, yet they feel so harmonious at once. There's a tension to the combination of those two colors that's super sophisticated."
Mele specifically adores pairing a chocolate brown velvet sofa with fresh pink accents in a patterned rug or piping on a neighboring slipper chair. If you are feeling adventurous, you can also cover the walls in a vibrant pink hue and pair it with more refined textiles and carpets like in the above entry from designer Todd Romano.
Pink and Burnt Red
Dial up the drama in your dressing room or study by pairing more neutral shades of pink with fiery hues. Sloan recommends this pairing as a way to make a statement that still feels opulent and elevated.
Sloan says, "Deep burnt reds with soft neutral pinks will create a sophisticated tonal palette with a lot of warmth. Burgundies and neutral pinks invoke thoughts of opulent Renaissance paintings; think swags of burgundy fabric pulled back to reveal reclining nudes!"
Pink and Marigold Yellow
We predicted it earlier this year: marigold and pink are the latest color combination taking the design world by storm. These two colors bring energy to a room by evoking scenes from nature, such as vibrant sunsets over the seas or gardens around the world. While we fully support painting the walls in these two shades, try to look for furnishings and finishes that highlight these two tones. For example, consider pairing melon pink dining chairs with a saffron tablecloth or tableware at your next dinner party.
Pink and Soft Gray
Both Mele and Sloan agree that if you are looking for a more sophisticated pairing that feels timeless, soft pink and gray is your best bet. This classic combination looks airy and carefree when used in linens or fabrics in a nursery or kid's room, but it looks contemporary and modern when the gray hue is used on the walls with bubblegum pink accents. The key to nailing this combination is to ensure that the gray has a more naturalistic undertone that helps bring out more earthy tones from the pink pairing.
Pink and Ebony
Soft, pastel pinks beautifully complement other bright, candy-colored tones, but to add richness to this color palette, Mele suggests incorporating accents of deep ebony. This combination is particularly effective when used in a vibrant wallcovering for a powder room or in artwork over a mantel. For instance, designer Laura Kirar tempered the sunbaked plaster walls in her Mexico salon with ebony-colored seating and furnishings.
Pink and Baby Blue
When it comes to lovely color combinations, baby pink and blue is a classic pairing that can add a touch of whimsy to a family room or den. However, this combination can also feel sophisticated when complemented with refined furnishings and contemporary artwork. In this Philip Thomas-designer living room, a pink slipper sofa stands out against the soft blue walls without appearing overly feminine.
Pink and Emerald
Jewel tones complement nearly every color, and pink is no exception. One particularly striking combination is hot pink and emerald, which feels luxurious yet refreshing, especially when used in a bar or lounge. Nadia Watts made a statement in the entry at the Kips Bay Palm Beach Show House by covering the walls in an emerald Porter Teleo fabric and adding a piece of electric pink artwork that energizes the space.
Pink and Olive
For a more subdued take on the green and pink color palette, consider incorporating hues with earthy undertones that evoke the serene beauty of nature, like olive and medium pink. Their warm undertones create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, perfect for a cozy bedroom or a peaceful reading nook.
Pink and Juicy Orange
To liven up a dim study or small kitchen, consider infusing the space with vibrant and lively colors such as hot pink and orange. According to Sloan, "Bright oranges and turquoises with pinks give a tropical, jungle intensity. It’s very effective, it shows color confidence and a certain joie de vivre."
If you decide to go for a single color on the walls, like the apricot hue featured in this London seating area, we suggest selecting a pink fabric with white or neutral accents to anchor the overall color scheme.
Pink and Lavender
Instead of pairing light pinks with other neutral tones, try reaching for tones like pale lavender or lilac, which still feel tranquil while being unexpected. In the guest bedroom of her Bel Air home, designer Renvy Graves Pittman painted the walls a pale lavender to bring a sense of serenity to the space, while pink drapery and throw pillows give a youthful touch.
Pink and Hazel
Warm shades of blush and hazel were practically made to be paired together in a cozy lounge or study. The proof is in the snug from designer Joe Lucas (above), where blush, peach, and hazel hues flawlessly mingle on the wall mural and rug to create the ultimate social spot for cocktails and conversation.
Pink and Peach
Sometimes, more is truly better, so why not fill your space with rosy hues that bring you joy? We especially like the idea of combining light pinks with peachy tones to add just the right amount of warmth to a room without making it feel overly vibrant. The key is to ensure that the shades come in different finishes or textures to create a sense of depth, as seen in this Atlanta library designed by Melanie Turner.
Long before the rise of millennial pink and Barbiecore, rosy hues have always had a place in fashion, interior design, and culture. Pink, in its various forms and undertones, instills an optimistic sense that we all crave, especially when it's used throughout a room. No matter your style or interests, it's hard not to fall for the blushing color. As designer Patrick Mele simply puts it, "Who doesn't love pink? If you don't love pink, you aren't in love with life."The Connecticut-based designer notes that the color brings vibrancy to a room, uplifting everything and everyone within its warmth. It's no wonder that designers and homeowners alike enjoy incorporating the shade in their home, whether it be a softer neutral pink dressing the walls or a bold fuchsia accents in upholstery fabrics. Mele further adds, "In a way, it's the color of warmth, glow, health, and all those are joyful. I think that it brings a lot of life into an atmosphere when used correctly, particularly warmer pinks, deeper pinks, or even cool pinks—the color has a special beauty to it."Annie Sloan, a color expert and the creator of Chalk Paint, agrees that there is a shade of pink that can complement any color palette and uplift interiors. The key is to understand the atmosphere you want to create in a space and choose a shade that conveys that feeling. Sloan explains, "Soft pinks are delightfully easy to work with and universally flattering, while hot pinks are directional and bold. A pastel pink ceiling casts a soft-focus rosy glow on inhabitants, ideal in dining spaces or bedrooms. However, beware—cheap pinks are noticeable, for all the wrong reasons!"Are you ready for your "pretty in pink" moment? Below, the best colors to pair with pink when decorating a room, according to design experts.
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