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.

A simple chair is a go-to for comfort and function for the walk-in closet, home office, or eat-in kitchen. Add unexpected color and whimsy to wooden or metal silhouettes with a coat of pink paint. The application fits all styles, from a modern bent form, as shown above, to a charming farmhouse ladder back to a traditional bamboo option.

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.

Upcycle an antique find into a unique and pretty bathtub. Restoration and painting can be done by a professional, or you can tackle them yourself, depending on the piece's condition. They don't make them like they used to — it's a good thing there are still plenty available from salvage yards and resellers.

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.

Shelves are an awesome and practical storage solution that allows us to feature our favorite things. But combining a wall color, wood shelving, and scattered objects can create a busy look. Paint the shelves to match the wall color to subdue the effect and truly highlight your collections. The pink display here is a DIY Ikea hack.

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.

Add a wow factor with an ombré paint treatment. Light pink near the ceiling floats away, especially if it's covered in the same tint, while the gradient to dark pink near the floor grounds the walls. Choose three to four shades from a swatch card and transition subtly from one color to the next.

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.

Pink is a near-neutral backdrop for garments — fabrics will look more luxe, colorful, and complex against a variety of its shades. It's also a flattering hue for many skin tones, making it a great option for a walk-in closet or vanity/make-up situation. Who can have a bad day when it begins in a closet like this?

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.

Wallpaper is mainstream again, plus it's a sure way to a high-end look; yet, it can be expensive and tedious to apply. With a few specialized tools and some time, stenciled walls create a similar effect on a budget. They offer extreme personalization with a degree of delicacy or boldness dependent on the pattern and color combination.

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.

Awkward jut-outs, cubbies, and corners are turned into something intentional with paint. Highlighting potential negatives draws the eye straight to them, making them feel important. If features were customized and built into the space, a strategic color could make them even more of a focal point.

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. 

Like planters, lamps and lampshades constructed of hard materials are perfect contenders for a change-up in color. Zhuzh the plain and update the tired or make the old look new. Whether off-the-shelf or thrifted, your favorite tint or texture is just a spray paint can away; but make sure the selection is heat-resistant to avoid peeling paint.

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.

Two-tone walls offer double the design choice. In this horizontal paint treatment, the chair rail is mimicked in a flat, modern interpretation. Divide your space wherever you see fit; some designers recommend directly above eye level, while others suggest using furniture or features as guidelines. Blush pink and warm white is a fresh combination, but options are limitless.

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.

Hand-painted finishes were all the rage a few decades ago, with natural sponges dripping and blending pigment artfully along walls for depth and character. Recently, a desire for authenticity and appreciation for old dwellings has made peeling plaster and wallpaper chic (as well as this faux-aging technique).

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.