This is a common question for many people when coordinating outfits or designing color palettes. Pink and purple are both secondary colors that complement each other well and can look beautiful when paired together. In this article, we’ll explore whether pink goes with purple, look at color theory principles, provide visual examples, and offer tips for coordinating pink and purple effectively.
The basics of combining pink and purple
In basic color theory, pink and purple are considered analogous colors, meaning they sit next to each other on the color wheel. Analogous colors create a harmonious and soothing color palette. Pink contains more red tones while purple contains more blue tones. When you put them together, they create a bridge between warm and cool tones.
Most shades of pink tend to go nicely with most shades of purple. Light pinks pair well with pale purples like lavender. Bright hot pinks pop against darker purples like amethyst. Dusty shades of pink coordinate with muted plums and mauves. In general, pink and purple complement each other nicely in all sorts of color combinations.
Factors to consider
There are a few factors to keep in mind when pairing pink and purple:
- Shade – Lighter pinks and purples tend to blend together seamlessly while brighter shades create more contrast.
- Tone – Cooler pinks work best with bluer purples while warmer pinks pair better with redder purples.
- Saturation – Highly saturated hot pinks stand out against pale purples. But muted tones blend together softly.
- Hue – Pink and purple hues next to each other on the color wheel tend to look most cohesive.
Considering these factors when selecting the shades of pink and purple to pair will help create a more intentional, harmonious look.
Color theory principles
Certain principles of color theory help explain why pink and purple go well together.
Analogous colors – Analogous colors sit next to each other on the color wheel. They create a comfortable, harmonious color scheme. Pink and purple sit side-by-side as analogous colors, making them inherently easy to combine.
Triadic colors – The triadic color scheme uses three colors equally spaced around the color wheel. The triadic palette of pink, purple, and green creates visual interest and vibrancy.
Complementary colors– These are color pairs opposite each other on the color wheel that create maximum contrast when combined. Pink’s complement is green while purple’s complement is yellow. Skillfully blending these complements with pinks and purples can create really striking effects.
Split complements – Choosing one color, then the two colors adjacent to its complement creates a split complementary scheme. For pink, this would mean pairing it with purple and blue-green. For purple, it would mean pairing it with pink and yellow-green. This creates a more nuanced but still vibrant color palette.
Skillfully leveraging these color theory principles helps explain why pink and purple work well together and provides guidance for combining them successfully.
Visual examples
Seeing pink and purple color combinations visually can help give a better idea of how they look together. Here are some examples of pink and purple palettes from design sites like Color Lovers and Design Seeds:
| Color Palette | Preview | |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Quartz + Lilac | ||
| Pale Pink + Wisteria | ||
| Salmon + Orchid | ||
| Hot Pink + Royal Purple | ||
| Baby Pink + Lavender |
As you can see, various shades of pinks and purples create different looks but coordinate beautifully together. Lighter and brighter color combinations feel more playful and youthful. Darker and more muted palettes feel more sophisticated and elegant.
Home decor combinations
Pink and purple color schemes work wonderfully in home decor. Here are some ideas for incorporatin pink and purple together throughout the home:
- Paint bedroom walls a pale lilac and add hot pink bedding and pillows.
- Use lavender and pink flowers together in floral centerpieces.
- Add pink and purple throw pillows to a neutral couch.
- Mix pink and purple candles together on mantlepieces and tablescapes.
- Install a vibrant purple front door on a house with a pale pink exterior.
- Choose a pink and purple ombre area rug for a playroom.
- Display artwork with pink and purple designs in a hallway.
The possibilities are endless for weaving pink and purple decor elements together to create a stylish, pulled-together look. They allow you to add visual interest while still maintaining harmony.
Fashion and clothing combinations
Pink and purple clothing pieces pair up beautifully as well. Mixing these colors creates fun, playful outfits full of personality. Here are some ways to wear pink and purple fashion items together:
- Pair a light purple blouse with a fuchsia pencil skirt.
- Match a lavender dress with hot pink heels.
- Top lilac jeans with a berry pink sweater.
- Layer a pink cardigan over a purple tank top.
- Throw on pink sneakers with a purple athleisure set.
- Complement a pink cocktail dress with an amethyst necklace and earrings.
- Tie a pink scarf around the neck of a purple coat.
Pink and purple clothing and accessories allow you to mix colors while still achieving a coordinated outfit. The color pairing is playful, youthful, and feminine.
Tips for coordinating pink and purple
Follow these tips when putting together combinations of pink and purple:
- Choose shade intensities that are similar. Pairing a pale pink with a deep purple can look unbalanced.
- Aim for a 60(pink)/40(purple) or 40(pink)/60(purple) ratio for the most pleasing look.
- Add pops of purple to mostly pink outfits and decor or vice versa.
- Use one color as the dominant shade and use the other sparingly as an accent.
- Add neutrals like white, gray, or wood tones to give the eyes a break.
- Consider adding complementary greens or yellows for extra vibrancy.
- Don’t overdo it – stick to 2-3 shades of pink and purple total.
Keeping these guidelines in mind when pairing pink and purple together can result in stylish, harmonious combinations every time.
Conclusion
Pink and purple make for an easy, beautiful color combination. Their adjacent positions on the color wheel mean they naturally coordinate well together. Lighter pink and purple shades blend seamlessly while brighter versions create fun contrast. Skillfully balancing factors like shade, tone, and saturation results in appealing palettes. Incorporating pinks and purples together in outfits, decor, and designs allows you to mix colors in a harmonious way. With the right approach, pink and purple can be paired flawlessly every time.
