What Colors Go With Pink? Our Interior Design Expert's Top Recommendations

If you think a room looks prettiest in pink, you're not alone. Since the emergence of Barbiecore in 2022, the feminine hue has been popular with movie stars on the red carpet, fashion brands on the catwalk, and interior designers who say it's a forever trend. "Pink is a timeless color that has been popular for centuries and comes in a variety of shades that will never go out of style," design historian Sarah Bilotta told House Digest in an exclusive interview. She says that pink pairs nicely with a wide range of colors, from cool grays to warm rusty red, but that the ideal combination will depend on how and where you intend to use it. From which color palettes to use to inspired ideas on texture, Bilotta offered her expert advice on how to embrace the playful, powerful, prismatic world of pink.

"Pink is a versatile color that can work in basically any room of the house," Bilotta assured us. But before you use paint to color drench a room or spend a fortune reupholstering your furniture, she also offered a few words of caution. "Make sure you consider your floor and ceiling colors," Bilotta advised. "You don't want to discover too late that your soft pink sofa clashes horribly with your orange-toned wood floors." No matter what room you're in, the design historian is a fan of a 30-30-30 approach. "Pink can be a heavy color," Bilotta warns. "Too much of it will consume a room. So, it's best to stick with one tone of pink, at about 30% ratio in the space (including upholstery and wall decor)."

So, what colors go with pink? In an exclusive interview with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta said that pink pairs well with both warm and cool tones. "Almost any shade of pink will go great with a medium to light gray or white," she explained. "Dusty rose pairs splendidly with cooler grays, and deep, cool jewel tones like sapphire blue and emerald green." Bilotta also says this pink tone can be used to color drench a room. She went on to suggest pairing coral and millennial pinks with rust reds, terracotta, and burgundy tones. Bilotta says baby pink works well when combined with other pastels, but warned that lighter shades of pink are starting to feel out-of-date. She also cautioned that super-saturated shades may pose a decorating challenge, but said that vibrant fuchsia pairs well with neutrals like cream or light gray. 

Don't forget to avoid the paint selection mistake that'll leave your room feeling darker by choosing a light, companion color that can balance out the darkness. "Keep in mind a balance of light and shadow," she advised. "If you're using a heavily saturated pink, balance it with a color or texture of fabric that reflects a lot of light," she added. Bilotta says you can also break up a space that's oversaturated by using a neutral tone on your moldings and baseboards.

You can pretty up any room with pink paint. But in an exclusive interview with House Digest, Sarah Bilotta said there are other ways to make the popular hue work in your space. "A textured floral fabric wallpaper containing pink shades will give greater dimension than a solid pink wall," she noted. Bilotta suggested basing your entire color palette off a wallpaper pattern that contains pinks. "This is a great starting point for newbie designers," she added. Luckily, there are many innovative ways to use wallpaper in any room around your home. One beautiful option is the Lativo Silk Embossed Pink Peel and Stick Wallpaper.

Bilotta had other recommendations for picking out the best colors to go with pink. "Pull color inspiration from the hardware and appliances in your space," she suggested. "Opt for chic brushed nickel sconces accented by pinks and golds in your upholstery or go for matte black floor lamps and pair them with a rug that features both pinks and blacks."