Pink is still a favoured colour for a girl’s room. While it is sweet and pretty for a nursery or little girl’s room, it can also be used with sophistication in adult spaces with the right accouterments and accent colours.
Rooted in the colour red, pink represents romance, affection and caring in soft feminine tones. It downplays the passion of red, replacing it with a gentle hue. This colour represents compassion, nurturing and love. Pink is intuitive and insightful, showing tenderness and kindness with its empathy and sensitivity. In colour psychology, pink is a sign of hope. It is a positive colour inspiring warm and comforting feelings.
In the decor, pink calms and soothes. It is a colour that gives the occupants a rosy glow, so it is well appointed in a dressing room or powder room.
The shade of pink in our feature photograph plays off of the subtle pink tones in the light wood flooring. Combining pink with white in this instance makes the space soft yet sophisticated. Even though this room is obviously for a little girl, it can grow with the child as she matures. Change out the child’s table and chair set for adult-sized accent furniture and the colour and design of this room would still be fitting.
Keeping pink from being too precious is really about what you don’t include in the space. Forgo ruffles and use tailored window treatments and bedding. Use mature patterns such as pinstripes instead of overly floral or large geometric patterns. Details like wainscoting and crown molding will ensure that your pink room has style. Use sophisticated artwork and accessories to keep the space current and add in a few black elements for added oomph. Stylish furniture, such as the tufted headboard in our feature photo, add a grown-up touch.
Combining pink with other darker colours such as dark blue, dark green, black or grey, adds strength and sophistication to pink. Consider a vivid pink, such as fuchsia, paired with black or dark brown in a teen’s space. Include a strong pattern, such as zebra stripes, as accents. Stronger pinks should be used sparingly, such as on a focal wall. Pink and turquoise, whether both soft or both bold, can be a fun colour combination for a beach decor. Think about the pink and turquoise that was popular in the 1950s. These retro colours are making a comeback.
The right shade
Choosing the right shade of pink can be a bit of a challenge. The first thing you want to consider is your flooring. A dark, hardwood floor, for example, can work with many shades of pink, while a more golden tone flooring will leave you with less options. Paint a sample board (3 X 3) and place it on the floor before you make your final choice. This may help you pull out any hint of pink that the flooring may contain and help you with your final choice.
If you find the shade you have painted isn’t quite working with your flooring, consider including a large area rug in a shade that works with your new wall colour. This will downplay the tone of the flooring while helping with your overall colour palette. An area rug in a bedroom is a great idea regardless.
Pink wallpaper might be an option if you want a less permanent alternative to paint. Think large vertical stripes in soft white and pink, or pink and white toile for a sophisticated look. A focal wall may be all you need to cover to create a romantic master bedroom or welcoming guest room.
You can simply accessorize with pink if you don’t want to commit to a pink wall colour. An eclectic decor can be emboldened with accessories like a hot pink lamp or bubblegum pink fridge, for example. Soft pink upholstery on a white French Provincial accent chair can be a lovely soft accent in a sitting room. Adding in an area rug that contains pink in an all white decor can add just enough colour to keep things interesting and so on.
Pink isn’t just for nurseries and a little girl’s room. Consider it in your chic master bedroom, guest room or powder room. It’s a soft, romantic colour that is both stylish and inviting.
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