These Pretty Pink Paint Colors Would Make Barbie Jealous
Need a pink-me-up?
No, you’re not looking through rose-colored glasses—pink really is having a moment. Look no further than the latest bubblegum-pink red-carpet takeover, the unending stream of pinkcentric TikTok posts, and its dominating neon-confident street style. It’s official: We’re chromatically obsessed.
But this rosy hue has also infiltrated our homes. In its report released earlier this year, Taskrabbit had 69 percent more bookings for pink paint jobs on its site. That’s after Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams made different shades of it their color of the year, which was followed by an onslaught of pink home moments (from designer Christina Wang’s bubblegum-hued kitchen to this cool-toned pink Hudson Valley farmhouse). But, of course, pink has been at the forefront of great design long before Greta Gerwig brought out the pink palette (and in so doing caused a shortage of pink paint)—and from the looks of it, it isn’t going away anytime soon.
“Pink adds whimsy, softness, and a very flattering glow,” says ELLE DECOR A-List Titan Robert Couturier, who’s petal-tinged twin girls’ bedroom in composer and conductor Jonathan Sheffer’s Gramercy Park townhouse is the stuff of pink dreams. Tiffany Howell of the ELLE DECOR A-List firm Night Palm Studio agrees. “There is something undeniably romantic and soothing about a pink room, which makes it a constant in our clients’ projects,” she says. “Who wouldn’t want their home to feel like a luscious sun-drenched Italian villa?” We would if it looks anything like Howell’s rendition of Mara Brock Akil’s decidedly pink rosé room.
Looking to add a dash of blushing tincture to your life? Living la vie en rose doesn’t mean committing to a total colorwash. “Stay away from bright shrieking pinks,” Couturier advises. “Use them as accents or atmospheric tones, adding depth and charm.” Howell advises pink users to avoid current trends and instead “find a hue that feels timeless and inspiring.”
When it comes to finding that perfect hue, there are so many that go beyond Millennial pink. Whether you’re craving a bold refresh with unapologetically loud fuchsia pinks and playful coral hues that command attention, or you want to try something subtle like an elegant pastel, the versatility of the color is undeniably vast, with options for every space and style.
Still not convinced? We’ve tapped our favorite designers and industry experts to share their favorite 33 pink shades, along with advice on how—and where—to make it work. Read on for our top pink paint colors that can bring warmth to any room. Go ahead, release your inner Elle Woods!
Sulking Room Pink, Farrow & Ball
“Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room Pink is our favorite pink color because it is deeply complex, and changes with the light of day. It’s the perfect base for any room, and immediately strikes a tone for the rest of the space.” — Liza Curtiss, Le Whit
Peignoir, Farrow & Ball
“One of my favorite shades of pink is Peignoir by Farrow & Ball. The shade is subtle, making it timeless and perfect for crafting a sophisticated and calming atmosphere for even the more formal areas of your home.” — Ecem Karaharman, Wesley Moon
Dead Salmon, Farrow & Ball
“Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball is a staple pink for Night Palm, as it brings lushness to a room and works as a neutral with any colorway. I love how it bends with natural light throughout the day, transforming a space from sunrise to sunset. When beautifully lit, it is soft and reflective on skin.” — Tiffany Howell, Night Palm
Setting Plaster, Farrow & Ball
”To me, blushes are neutrals with personality. They’re not boring at all, but they still get along with almost any other color and yet maintain their opinion. Farrow & Ball really nails the blush/pink category IMO and in particular Setting Plaster is my go-to for a color that envelops you with a warm glow of soft pink light. It’s not too cheerful but not too earthy.” — Anne McDonald, Anne McDonald Design
Uccello Pink, Donald Kaufman Color
“I have LOVED pink my entire life! There are so many different shades of pink. The cool thing is that most of them make ones skin glow. It can be a neutral or a polarizing color choice. I see it has a color that makes anything and everything look good! Donald Kaufman Color's Uccello Pink embodies all that I love about pink. It’s soft, strong, pretty, a conversation.” — Brigette Romanek, Romanek Design Studio
Deep Sea Coral, Pantone
“I love the Pantone paint deck because it offers such a depth of colors,” New York City-based interior designer Elizabeth Bauer Watt tells ELLE DECOR, noting that one of her favorite pink paints is Pantone’s perky Deep Sea Coral. “Since the color is so strong—it has so much weight and personality to it!—I like to make sure that the other elements in the room help balance it by being light or reflective.”— Elizabeth Bauer Watt, Elizabeth Bauer Design
Pink Ground, Farrow & Ball
“Farrow & Ball's Pink Ground is soft, warm, and tender and it looks great with any color. It can be sophisticated and also very youthful. I love it with a great red and conversely with a deep emerald green. It must be called Pink Ground for a reason…it looks likes its neighbors on the color wheel as well as its opposition. It’s a flattering color on everyone, especially when applied to the ceiling.” — Liz Caan, Liz Caan & Co.
Pink Sky, Clare
“Pink Sky by Clare evokes an earthy and enveloping feeling. This more saturated pink is the perfect answer to almost any room needing personality and added warmth. It transcends styles and easily pairs with a variety of color palettes. Placed in a design with a lighter color scheme, the walls read bold, highlighting architectural features. Paired with a more saturated palette, the color adds richness.” — Sarah Ramirez, Decorist
Peony, Benjamin Moore
“Benjamin Moore's Peony is one of my favorite hot pinks. As the name suggests, the color is derived from the peony, the most maximalist of flowers. With its lush blooms and endless petals, the peony is over the top in the best possible way. We love this color because it's bright, but with black undertones, so it has a coolness to it. We painted it on the ceiling of this bedroom for maximum impact!” — Marika Meyer, Meyer Interiors
Bridal Pink, Benjamin Moore
“I love using Benjamin Moore's Bridal Pink. It has just the right amount of peach in it and it's feminine but not too sweet, and plays well in any light.” — Caroline Rafferty, Caroline Rafferty Interiors
Pink Starburst, Benjamin Moore
“If you love pink as much as I do, you run to it—not away from it—and embrace the sweet nursery pinks as much as more saturated colors like Pink Starburst by Benjamin Moore. To stand up to something so bold, I pair Pink Starburst with strong abstract art, crisp black and white fabrics, and a funky 1970’s Moroccan rug.”
— Janie Molster, Janie Molster Designs
Pop, Clare
“For a dash of optimistic and unique color, Pop by Clare is a versatile option. The yellow undertone immediately warms up a space. It’s perfect for an updated rustic kitchen, bringing freshness to matte honed tiles and rustic wood finishes. Think English countryside meets modern bohemian.” — Sarah Ramirez, Decorist
Paris Pink, Portola Paints
“Paris Pink by Portola Paints is a favorite of mine. Subtle, delicate and gender neutral–it works beautifully on a ceiling to add a little color.” — Bradley Odom, Dixon Rye
Rosé Season, Clare
"Rosé Season is a sophisticated shade of pink that’s fresh, warm, and bright. Like the name implies, it conjures up warm memories of good times with full glasses of rosé!” — Nicole Gibbons, Clare
Happenstance, Portola Paints
"Pink is one of my favorite colors! But, it can be tricky to pull off. Happenstance has a dynamic and earthy quality to it that is very versatile. It can just as easily be used in your dining room or your daughter's room." —Jamie Davis, Portola Paints
Opal, Benjamin Moore
“Benjamin Moore's Opal is a perfectly subtle shade of pink that lights up every room with a pearly glow. It’s especially great on ceilings to get an extra luminescence when light from a chandelier reflects on it.” — Christine Markatos, Markatos Design
Pink Corsage, Benjamin Moore
“The great thing about the 'Millennial Pink' trend is that it universalized pink and made it more accessible to those who may have shied away in the past. From a designer's perspective, pink is a fantastic paint color for walls because the warmth makes people's skin look bright and healthy. Pink Corsage by Benjamin Moore turns up the volume with raspberry pink tones for a robust, vibrant take on the hue.” — Emilie Munroe, Studio Munroe
Angel's Landing, Portola Paints
“If you take Millennial Pink and dial back the magenta and brightness while adding a little bit of dirt, you are left with Angel's Landing–a soft, earthy neutral. It’s a sophisticated, subtler, more natural version of pink that is just as stunning and can be used pretty much anywhere.” — Jamie Davis, Portola Paints
Pink Pearl, Modern Masters
“I like modern masters pink pearl metallic as my favorite pink. It’s so iridescent and fun. It can be used in an adult room or kids room, as an accent ceiling or wall. One of my favorite places to use this color is in a woman’s closet! Pink pink....you are always the missing link.” — Kari Whitman, Kari Whitman Interiors
Rachel Silva, the Assistant Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, covers design, architecture, trends, and anything to do with haute couture. She has previously written for Time, The Wall Street Journal, and Citywire.
Lucia Tonelli is an Assistant Editor at Town & Country, where she writes about the royal family, culture, real estate, design, and more.
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