Intro
Picking the perfect pink paint color for your home can seem daunting with so many shades to choose from. But armed with the right knowledge, you can narrow down your options and select the ideal pink that complements your space. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing pink paint. Learn how light, undertones and sheens impact color and get tips for picking the perfect pink for every room.
Different Types of Pink Paint
There are countless shades of pink paint ranging from barely-there blush to vibrant fuchsia. Here are some of the most popular pink paint colors:
- Baby Pink – A very pale, soft pink. This ultra-feminine shade is perfect for a nursery or little girl’s room.
- Blush Pink – A light peachy-pink. This is a warm, soothing shade that works well in living spaces.
- Ballet Slipper Pink – A light pink with grey undertones. It’s soft and elegant and pairs nicely with greys.
- Cotton Candy Pink – A medium bright pink. It’s youthful and energetic – great for a teen’s room.
- Fuschia Pink – A vivid, intense pink. This bold color makes a dramatic accent wall.
- Dusty Pink – A pale pink with brown undertones. It’s a versatile neutral that works in any room.
The undertones and depth of pink paint can vary drastically so it’s important to understand what you’re looking for.
How Lighting Affects Pink Paint Colors
The way light hits your walls dramatically affects how pink paint colors are perceived. This is an important consideration when selecting a shade. Here’s how different light affects pink paint:
- Natural Light – North-facing rooms with cool, indirect sunlight will make pink walls look muted and soft. South-facing rooms with warm sunlight will intensify pinks.
- Artificial Light – Incandescent bulbs cast a warm yellow light that warms up pink shades. LEDs emit a cool white light that emphasizes cooler undertones in pinks.
- Shade – Low light and shaded areas will cause pink colors to look darker and more saturated.
When choosing a pink paint, view color swatches at different times of day and with lighting you’ll use in that space. This ensures the shade you love in the store looks as perfect at home as you imagined.
Pink Paint Undertones
Pink paint colors can have warm peachy-orange undertones or cool blue-grey undertones. The undertones blend with the pink base to create different shades. Here’s how pink paint undertones affect a color:
- Warm Undertones – Give pinks an earthy, cozy and cheerful vibe perfect for living rooms, bedrooms and dining spaces.
- Cool Undertones – Create more relaxing and elegant pink tones ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and offices.
You can identify undertones by looking at color swatches in natural light. Hold swatches next to white paper – warm pinks will make the paper look blue-ish while cool pinks will give paper a yellow tint.
Pink Paint Sheens
Paint comes in different sheens or finishes that affect how light reflects off the surface. Here are the most common pink paint sheens:
| Sheen | Description |
|---|---|
| Flat | No shine and hides imperfections. Best for ceilings and low-traffic areas. |
| Matte | Minimal shine and durable. Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms. |
| Eggshell | Soft, subtle shine. Great for hallways, kids rooms and bathrooms. |
| Satin | Smooth, slight shine. Works well in kitchens, baths and woodwork. |
| Semi-Gloss | Reflective shine. Best for high-traffic areas like trim and kitchens. |
| Gloss | Very reflective and shiny. Perfect for an accent wall or front door. |
The sheen impacts how dark or bright the pink color looks. Glossy and semi-gloss sheens make pink appear lighter. Matte or flat sheens make pink look richer.
Choosing the Best Pink Paint by Room
Picking the perfect pink involves considering the room size, lighting and functional use of the space. Here are guidelines for choosing pink paint for key rooms:
Pink Paint for Living Rooms
Living rooms need warm, inviting pink hues. Look for pinks with peach, orange or gold undertones. Soft muted pinks like blush work well for larger living rooms. Smaller spaces can handle brighter shades of pink. Matte, eggshell and satin sheens prevent glare on walls.
Pink Paint for Bedrooms
Cool restful pink tones with blue or grey undertones are ideal for bedrooms. Try pale shades like baby pink, orchid pink or lilac pink for a peaceful vibe. Use bolder pinks like fuchsia as an accent wall. Matte or eggshell finishes minimize shine.
Pink Paint for Kitchens
Kitchens require durable, high-traffic paints. Look for deeper pink hues as darker colors hide cooking stains. Shades like rose, salmon or terra cotta pink complement maple or oak cabinets. Use satin, semi-gloss or gloss sheens for easy clean-up.
Pink Paint for Bathrooms
Bathrooms need relaxing cool-toned pinks like powder pink, petal pink or carnation pink. Soft shades complement spa-like spaces. Use semi-gloss or gloss paint for moisture resistance around tubs and sinks. Matte paint works on walls.
Pink Paint for Kids’ Rooms
Have fun with bold vibrant pinks for a kid’s room! Hot pink, neon pink, flamingo pink and magenta are playful. Tween girls might like softer blush pink or purple-y shades. Use durable matte or eggshell finishes.
Choosing Paint Sheen by Room
The right sheen helps paint hold up in different rooms:
| Room | Best Paint Sheen |
|---|---|
| Living Room | Matte or Eggshell |
| Bedroom | Matte or Eggshell |
| Kitchen | Satin or Semi-Gloss |
| Bathroom | Eggshell, Satin or Semi-Gloss |
| Kid’s Room | Eggshell or Matte |
| Hallways | Eggshell |
| Trim/Doors | Semi-gloss |
Choose sheens that complement the room’s use. Durable semi-gloss works in wet bathrooms while soft matte fits bedrooms.
Pink Paint Color Pairings
Need help deciding what colors to pair with pink walls? Here are beautiful combinations:
- Blush Pink + Light Blue + White – Soft and feminine
- Ballet Pink + Silver + Grey – Elegant and glamorous
- Peachy Pink + Yellow + Light Wood – Warm and cheerful
- Magenta Pink + Turquoise + Black – Bold and eclectic
- Dusty Pink + Sage Green + Brown – Earthy and peaceful
Mix paint on smaller accents like trims, cabinets and furnishings. Use rugs, pillows and art for pops of contrast colors.
Applying Pink Paint
Follow these tips for flawlessly painting pink:
- Prep – Fill cracks, sand walls and clean surfaces so paint adheres smoothly.
- Prime – Use white primer to boost vibrancy of pink shades.
- Rollers – Use high-quality mini rollers for smooth application on walls.
- Brushes – Use angled sash brushes for cutting in edges and trims.
- Lighting – Paint in bright natural daylight to accurately see color.
- Vents – Turn off HVAC systems so paint applies cleanly.
Paint Sheen Glossary
Here are definitions of key paint sheen terms:
Matte – Flat finish with no shine. Hides imperfections.
Eggshell – Soft velvety finish with subtle shine. Durability varies by brand.
Satin – Smooth finish with medium shine. Resists stains fairly well.
Semi-Gloss – Very smooth and fairly shiny surface. Durable and stain resistant.
Gloss – Highly reflective shine. Resilient and easy to clean.
Washable – Paint formulated to clean up easily with water. Common in matte and eggshell sheens.
Scrubbable – Paint can be scrubbed without damaging finish. Usually satin or glossier sheens.
Conclusion
Choosing that perfect pink paint ultimately comes down to assessing the room itself and how the color fits in the space. Factor in the room size, lighting, traffic and furniture colors. Then test swatches at home before committing to truly find a pink paint you’ll love. With the right shade and sheen, pink can add a punch of fun, femininity and charm to your rooms!
