Decorating
How to Decorate With Pink (and Make a Space Look Grown-Up, Not Girly)
Think pink is just for little girls? You’d be surprised just how versatile this rosy hue can be
Pink is a tone that people tend to ignore when choosing a colour scheme for their interior. After all, the warm, rosy hue is commonly associated with all things cute, feminine and frivolous, so we understand why home decorators shy away from using the shade and opt for colours with universal appeal (like blues, greens and classic neutrals) instead.
While decorating with fresh pink tones can be tricky, it is possible to create a space that looks grown-up and sophisticated, rather than girly and sugary sweet. The key is to find a shade that suits your personality and design style, and then introduce neutrals, on trend colours and modern accents to add balance and bring your space into the now.
While decorating with fresh pink tones can be tricky, it is possible to create a space that looks grown-up and sophisticated, rather than girly and sugary sweet. The key is to find a shade that suits your personality and design style, and then introduce neutrals, on trend colours and modern accents to add balance and bring your space into the now.
2. Give pastels a modern edge
If you’re partial to pastel pink but are worried a soft sorbet palette will look too girly (especially in common areas like the kitchen or living room), counterbalance the colour with industrial-style materials like stainless steel, concrete, chrome and timber. These tougher, textured surfaces will cut through the cuteness of powder pinks and give the space an edgy, modern vibe.
If you’re partial to pastel pink but are worried a soft sorbet palette will look too girly (especially in common areas like the kitchen or living room), counterbalance the colour with industrial-style materials like stainless steel, concrete, chrome and timber. These tougher, textured surfaces will cut through the cuteness of powder pinks and give the space an edgy, modern vibe.
3. Pair it with grey
While pink is considered to be the ultimate feminine hue, grey is at the other end of the spectrum and has a moody, masculine feel. Pair them together and what do you get? A room that’s calming, cool and has designer appeal. For maximum impact, pair eye-popping pink with charcoal and dark blue-grey tones. Complete the look with minimalist decor that doesn’t draw attention away from the striking colour scheme.
While pink is considered to be the ultimate feminine hue, grey is at the other end of the spectrum and has a moody, masculine feel. Pair them together and what do you get? A room that’s calming, cool and has designer appeal. For maximum impact, pair eye-popping pink with charcoal and dark blue-grey tones. Complete the look with minimalist decor that doesn’t draw attention away from the striking colour scheme.
4. Mix it up
When styling your home with pink accents, use accessories in a variety of tints and textures. This will create visual interest and ensure the pops of colour don’t overwhelm but enhance the overall scheme. We love how different pinks, from dusty blush to hot pink, are used to brighten up this cool, contemporary bathroom, while the selection of materials adds another layer of contrast.
See more of this eclectic apartment
When styling your home with pink accents, use accessories in a variety of tints and textures. This will create visual interest and ensure the pops of colour don’t overwhelm but enhance the overall scheme. We love how different pinks, from dusty blush to hot pink, are used to brighten up this cool, contemporary bathroom, while the selection of materials adds another layer of contrast.
See more of this eclectic apartment
5. Tone it down
Introducing neutrals is the best defence when pink threatens to overpower your room or make it look pretty girly rather than grown-up chic. This living room is a great example of how cool grey can temper the warmth and feminine feel of rosy pink tones, resulting in a scheme that’s serene, balanced and appeals to everyone’s tastes.
Introducing neutrals is the best defence when pink threatens to overpower your room or make it look pretty girly rather than grown-up chic. This living room is a great example of how cool grey can temper the warmth and feminine feel of rosy pink tones, resulting in a scheme that’s serene, balanced and appeals to everyone’s tastes.
6. Be gender neutral
Take your style cues from this retro-style living room and pair masculine furnishings with accessories in preppy pink. Here, a bright bubblegum stool and pink-tinted print succeed in transforming this otherwise staid sitting area – where a classically handsome Eames lounge chair and ottoman take pride of place – into a spot that’s seriously fun.
Take your style cues from this retro-style living room and pair masculine furnishings with accessories in preppy pink. Here, a bright bubblegum stool and pink-tinted print succeed in transforming this otherwise staid sitting area – where a classically handsome Eames lounge chair and ottoman take pride of place – into a spot that’s seriously fun.
7. Go for the element of surprise
Spark interest in your interior by using pink in unexpected schemes and spaces. This refined living room, which features splashes of look-at-me magenta, proves that it pays off when you make daring design choices. The energetic colour livens up the subdued scheme, creating a living zone that’s timeless and sophisticated but has plenty of personality, too.
Spark interest in your interior by using pink in unexpected schemes and spaces. This refined living room, which features splashes of look-at-me magenta, proves that it pays off when you make daring design choices. The energetic colour livens up the subdued scheme, creating a living zone that’s timeless and sophisticated but has plenty of personality, too.
8. Treat pink like a neutral
Bored with classic neutrals like cream, beige or greige? Use barely-there powder pink, muted blush or soft peach as the base colour in your home instead. These warm, elegant hues are subtle, calming and are happy to blend into the background (in a good way!), unlike more vibrant shades of pink.
Bored with classic neutrals like cream, beige or greige? Use barely-there powder pink, muted blush or soft peach as the base colour in your home instead. These warm, elegant hues are subtle, calming and are happy to blend into the background (in a good way!), unlike more vibrant shades of pink.
9. Go graphic
Want to add visual intrigue to your living zone? Choose edgy graphic print furniture and decor in high-impact shades of pink that are funky and fashionable, rather than sweet florals and other dainty patterns that can sometimes look a little juvenile.
Want to add visual intrigue to your living zone? Choose edgy graphic print furniture and decor in high-impact shades of pink that are funky and fashionable, rather than sweet florals and other dainty patterns that can sometimes look a little juvenile.
10. Play with other on-trend colours
Don’t be afraid to pair pink with other ‘It’ colours. Here, a bold cobalt wall forms the perfect backdrop for a vivid berry-toned desk, resulting in a chic space that’s very now. Not sure if blue is for you? Try other on trend shades like teal, rich purple, zesty lime, moss green, weathered tan and energetic yellow.
TELL US
Love pink? Share your favourite shade and bold design move in the comments section below.
Don’t be afraid to pair pink with other ‘It’ colours. Here, a bold cobalt wall forms the perfect backdrop for a vivid berry-toned desk, resulting in a chic space that’s very now. Not sure if blue is for you? Try other on trend shades like teal, rich purple, zesty lime, moss green, weathered tan and energetic yellow.
TELL US
Love pink? Share your favourite shade and bold design move in the comments section below.
Dress your walls in high-voltage fuchsia (a vibrant pinky purple) for a look that’s daring and packs a punch. In this contemporary breakfast nook, the pink-tinged walls are eye-catching and energetic, while modern decor in dark, moody tones and metallic accents add contrast and infuse the room with grown-up glamour.