Pink is hot—and we’re not talking just hot pink. From bold fuchsia and magenta to quieter blush and carnation, pink is brightening up runways, packaging, and of course, homes. Long associated with optimism, serenity, and nurturing, pink is the palate (and palette) cleanser we need after a tumultuous few years. Introducing even just a hint of pink into a room will give it a timely refresh, whether your style is New Traditional or Curator, Eclectic or Naturalist. (Not sure which best describes your style? Check out our primer here.)
Dusky rose walls contribute to the serenity of this classically elegant living room. The even softer pink of the chinoiserie panels, the velvet sofa, and the rug ensure cohesiveness. Find the garden stool here.
A few pops of bold pink put the “new” in New Traditionalist.
New Traditionalist
Pale and dusky pinks have been part of classical decor at least as far back as Georgian times, when they helped lighten rooms dominated by dark woods and dense prints. Walls painted in a pink-meets-beige hue will feel fresher than the typical off-white while also referencing Regency chic.
If painting your walls is too much of a commitment or you just want to start smaller, introduce a few throw pillows—either solid pink or with a timeless floral print. In fact, adding roses, carnations, cherry blossoms, azaleas, or other pink blooms, in one form or another, is perhaps the most New Traditional way to ease into the trend. Consider bringing an arrangement of flowers (real or faux), traditional botanical studies, or tableware strewn with peonies into y0ur decor.
Another option is to introduce brighter, more-modern pinks via traditional silhouettes. Ginger jars decorated with pink geometric motifs will enliven a tabletop or mantel, a tufted slipper chair in flamingo velvet will transform a quiet corner into a favorite seating area, and a wingback bed upholstered in a pink ikat-inspired print will make mornings much cheerier.
Top five New Traditional pink picks:
• Liza Skirted Ottoman in Pink
• Matouk Schumacher Collection Pomegranate Bedding
• Udoka Rug in Bright Pink/Multi
• Pink Chinoiserie Diptych by Dawn Wolfe
• One Kings Lane Collection Trinka Pillow in Mauve
Sometimes a room of disparate patterns and styles needs one strong color to tie it all together. Vivid pink does so here. Find the cashmere throw here.
Eclectic
Eclectic style often leans on one or two prominent colors to tie the disparate elements of a room together, so why not make that color pink? Say you have a Turkish or Persian rug with flashes of bright pink; your first instinct might be to emphasize some of the rug’s quieter, more-neutral hues throughout the rest of the room. Instead, play up the pink with upholstery, art, or even lighting featuring the same or similar shades.
That said, you can opt for softer pinks without losing your Eclectic cred. Or flaunt a mélange of shades, from neon to baby. Ikat pillows, a sconce or chandelier flaunting pink glass flowers, a berry-pink stool with Moorish influences: Layer them together in a room and you’ll prove that the whole truly is greater than the sum of its parts.
Top five Eclectic pink picks:
• Dana Gibson Dog Lumbar Pillows in Pink
• John Robshaw for Cloth & Company Tarifa Daybed in Lotus Poppy
• Flower Bone-Inlay Mirror in Pink/Ivory
• Halcyon by Michelle Armas
• Set of Five Designer Books in Pink
Eclectic style doesn’t have to shout. Here it whispers courtesy of the striped rug, the books in the cabinet, and the velvet pillow, which has subtle pink undertones. Find the sconce here. Photo by Joe Schmelzer.
A few pink quartz frames energize this Naturalist tableau while remaining true to the organic theme.
Naturalist
Naturalist palettes tend to be quiet and earthy, in keeping with the bare wood, rattan, sisal, jute, terracotta, and other organic materials that make up most of its furnishings. Pale pinks complement the browns, beiges, and ivories of Naturalist decor to a T, as do darker pinks with brownish undertones. And if the pink items are richly textured—eco-friendly abaca place mats, say, or a sumptuous throw—so much the better.
If you’d like to incorporate a few bolder pinks, look to artisanal designs that draw on time-honored traditions. Like organic materials, global craftsmanship is an element of the Naturalist aesthetic, and kilim and suzani textiles often include bright pinks. So does nature itself. Adding a floral arrangement featuring pink peonies or fuchsia orchids is a low-risk, high-reward way to punch up a room.
Top five Naturalist pink picks:
• One Kings Lane Collection Parker Performance Sofa in Quartz Velvet
• Sijo Eucalyptus Sheet Set in Blush
• Bolé Road Textiles Berchi Pillow in Dusty Rose
• Ella Pouf in Pink/Multi
• Lands Downunder Herringbone Throw in Cherry Blossom
Golden accents—as in the coffee table’s base and the vessels above it—are a hallmark of Curator chic, and they’re also a dazzling complement to pink. Find the wallpaper here, the sofa here, and the armchair here. Photo by Joe Schmelzer.
Here the pale pink of the sofa serves as a neutral backdrop for the bold green chair, the gold-and-marble table, and the bevy of black-and-white pillows.
Curator
Pink is often associated with luxury: blush-pink linen bedding, cloud-soft pink cashmere, plush velvet in a veritable rainbow of pinks. Since Curator style is all about luxe, pink fits right in. It also helps that pink is a spectacular complement to gold, a key element of Curator chic. At the same time, gold—along with snow white, ebony, and rich jewel tones—can help ensure that even the pinkest of rooms stays sophisticated rather than veering into cutesy or girlish.
Sticking with crisp, minimalist shapes will also keep your pinks firmly in Curator territory. Midcentury-inspired swoop-arm chaises, shapely table lamps, and minimalist vases in an unexpected matte finish are a few options to consider. Don’t leave bold patterns out of the equation, though: A framed Hermès scarf, for instance, might be the ne plus ultra of Curator chic.
Top five Curator pink picks:
• Kim Salmela Edie Swivel Glider Chair in Blush Velvet
• Jetty Rug in Pink/Ivory
• One Kings Lane Collection Lou Pillow in Currant Velvet
• Jamie Young Dahlia Glass Table Lamp
• Dahlia II by James Ogilvy
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