Whether you’re picking colours for your walls, sofas, furniture or accessories, there’s no denying that pink remains a popular interior design choice that works in all different homes, from country cottages to modern new builds. While the trend for pink burst onto the interiors scene in 2017 with a surge in demand for millennial pink, a muted hue sitting between beige and blush, it has now become something of a modern yet neutral classic.
Joanna Thornhill, interior stylist and author, describes millennial pink as the perfect choice for homes: ‘Its warmth and lightness actually makes it a very easy colour to work with, and it sits well with many tones of wood, making it a surprisingly versatile backdrop. Tastemakers are pairing it with luxe materials and rich berry tones, moving it firmly out of bubblegum Barbie territory and creating something altogether more sophisticated.’
In recent years, millennial pink has morphed into a few different incarnations with warmer versions of rose, antique pinks and soft salmon shades, giving you plenty of options to choose from if you’re deciding to go down the pink route.
If you love the idea of injecting a bit of pink into your home but aren’t sure where to start, we’ve rounded up some ideas to help you use this colour in a variety of different ways.
Styling pink bedrooms
Parquet 5-drawer chest | @athumberfourteen
Pale pink is the ideal choice for bedrooms as it adds an air of calmness to your sleep sanctuary without making the space feel too cold. If you are planning a full bedroom makeover then you might want to consider changing up your wall colour to add subtle impact.
We spoke to Tash Bradley, Lead Colour Specialist and Colour Psychologist at British home decor brand and paint specialists Lick to find out how best to use this colour: ‘We say it a lot but pink is the colour of cuddles – it’s inherently nurturing, soothing, and according to colour psychology, can make us feel psychologically safe. This is why it’s a great colour to bring into a bedroom or any space in your home you want to feel supported in.
‘When considering which pink is best for your space, the two most important things to consider are its undertones, as well as the direction of the room you’re decorating. Undertones contribute to what gives a colour its temperature – whether it’s a warm pink like Pink 02 or a slightly cooler character like Pink 04. Undertones are what’ll help you figure out which pink will be best suited to your space. So, if you’re decorating a north-facing room, yellow-based, warm pinks like Pink 01 or Pink 2 will help balance the cooler light received in these darker spaces,’ says Tash.
Accessorising with pink
Copenhagen 7-drawer chest | @renovating_wynd_house
For an easier update or if you’re unsure whether to commit to repainting your walls, adding pink accessories is a simple way to test out to see if this colour is for you. Cushions, curtains, lamps, artwork, or bedding can be easily switched up if you decide it’s not the look you’re going for.
Choosing colours to match with pink
Parquet dining table | @hausfifteen
If you’re wondering which colours to team with pink then you’re in luck as you can easily mix it with so many other shades. Pale pink marries beautifully with warmer terracotta shades or mustard yellows, while greens provide a harmonising contrast that has made pink and green a winning interior colour combo that’s loved across Instagram. Search #pinkandgreendecor and you’ll find thousands of posts featuring inspiration for this stylish pairing.
Tash also offers advice on choosing your pink pairings: ‘Our lightest of pinks, Pink 01, is so subtle it could pass as a white. Light pinks have a gentleness and versatility to them which makes them easy to pair with just about any colour. However, Pink 01 pairs beautifully with Greige 02 for ultimate elegance, or gorgeous neutrals like White 01 or Grey 04. You can also pair it with darker, deeper colours like our greeny Grey 07 or dark velvet Black 02.’
Using pink with neutrals
If you prefer a softer touch when it comes to colour in your home, you may find that pink is a great way to introduce a bit of contrast without dominating the look. Look out for shades of pink that have similar warm undertones to combine with wood furniture or shades of ecru or taupe.
If your neutrals are closer to the cooler side of the spectrum, for instance, bluish greys or stark brilliant whites, then consider pink shades that carry that same cooler grey undertone for a cohesive look.
Pink living rooms
Parquet small bookcase | @cartrefrhif6
Pink walls aren’t just for bedrooms and it’s now a colour that’s regularly spotted in living rooms due to its versatility. It creates the perfect backdrop for our naturally beautiful wood furniture, just make sure to choose a shade that has warmer tones so your space doesn’t feel too cool and uninviting.
Accessories are also a great way to add flashes of pink to your living room. If a pink sofa is too much of a statement then opt for soft furnishings that reference the colour palette and tie in with the rest of your scheme. You can use darker pieces such as our navy velvet Mongomery sofa to anchor soft pink scatter cushions or blankets.
Are you a lover of pink? We’d love to see how you’ve styled it in your home. Share your pictures with us by tagging #OakFurnitureland on Instagram.
