Pretty Up Any Room With These 20 Perfectly Pink Paint Ideas

Pink is a vibe. It's a color with strong connotations of femininity and sweetness, and one that rides the waves of extreme trendiness, having cresting, crowd-pleasing moments followed by years of under-appreciation. Per Vogue, the color received notoriety and credit in the U.S. when first lady Eisenhower chose powder pink for her inauguration gown and private rooms, dubbed "The Pink Palace," and Marilyn Monroe scorched in hot pink satin in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." It was further popularized as a joyous counterpoint to the solemnity of the war years. According to Save the Pink Bathrooms, at least 25% of mid-century bathrooms used pink fixtures or tiles, and many kitchens featured pink appliances. Decades later, '80s glam and shabby chic powered a short-lived resurgence.

Now, a tide of self-expression and warmth in home environments is rising. Long labeled frilly, pink is becoming more tethered to nature with shades reflecting clay and terracotta. Once thought girly, the sunset and shell hues are genderless, belonging to everyone (yet, Vogue tells us that pink was associated with male children and masculinity until the 1940s). And it's not just for youngsters; its calming effect is one we all strive to experience in an age of busyness and motion. HK Interiors suggest partnering the hue with white, light neutrals, chocolate, and black. Paint may be the easiest and least expensive means to feature this nuanced color at home, and we share 20 pretty, fun, fierce, and smart ideas below.

Pink in one of its pale guises is a good bedroom choice because the color is soothing and conducive to restfulness. Further, adding a blending headboard is easy on the eyes, creating visual and décor cohesion to make the space even more dreamy.

A covering of paint hides scratches and unifies different wood stains and species together. Contingent on the shade, pink will soften or add energy to desks, dressers, and armoires, and it's not just for a little girl's room. Blush and earthy tones are appropriate for any age and space.

Cabinetry is generally wood- or neutral-toned, but colored millwork is growing in popularity and makes the mundane special. Consider it for a kitchen, bar area, or built-ins. Earthy pink is wonderful with cream, gray, or beige natural stone countertops, as shown above. Bright or deep pink will feel retro with black and green granites — a statement choice.

Planters are easy to customize; a can of spray paint makes quick work of second-hand and big-box store finds. Pink planters are extra gorgeous, housing the many shades of green in plant varieties, as red (pink and white) and green are opposites on the color wheel. This means they make each other appear more vibrant.

Try an accent wall for just a touch of color. Beyond needing to select two shades, it's as simple as a typical paint project yet with far greater impact. For subtlety, choose shades near each other in value and on the color wheel. On the other hand, opposite and contrasting shades will look more vivid.

Chair, or dado, rail, is a classic and historic application once used to insulate walls and make them more durable. Now, it's a decorative way to add architectural interest and break up large swaths of the wall color. In the example photo, the burgundy underneath adds gravity and richness to a soft rose pink above.

Painted interior doors are a fantastic avenue for carrying color through a space. They can be a popping partner to neutral walls or an additional hue in the room's palette. If pink feels too space-specific, paint opposite sides a neutral hue or classic white. When the door is open, you'll get a nice interplay of both colors. 

Take industrial to chic with shell-pink: Simple metal stools call for a fun color to wake up the neutrality of the kitchen. Paint them yourself or drop them with a powder-coating service for hard-wearing durability and a meticulous glossy finish.

A painted table adds a different aesthetic to the dining room or kitchen. Vintage, cottage and farmhouse vibes are represented perfectly with chipped or rubbed paint in pastels or brights. Match a cherished china pattern, colorful area rug, or favorite flower with just the right shade of pink.

Picture-frame paneling is as classic as it gets, but in sultry sunset pink, it feels daring and a bit rebellious. Opt for one color on the molding and one for the wall, or go monochromatic as shown. Dimension is created with varied paint finishes — semi-gloss or enamel on the paneling and eggshell or flat on the area above.