Salmon pink is a light pinkish-orange color that gets its name from the flesh of salmon. When determining if a color is cool or warm, there are a few factors to consider.
The Color Wheel
On the traditional color wheel, colors are arranged into warm and cool categories. Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow are on one side, while cool colors like blue, green, and purple are on the other. Neutral colors like brown, beige, gray, and black are in the middle.
Looking at the color wheel, salmon pink falls in between the warm oranges and cool pinks. This means it has both warm and cool qualities depending on how it leans towards orange or pink.
Undertones
The undertones of a color also determine if it is warm or cool. Warm colors have yellow, peach or golden undertones. Cool colors have blue, pink or ash undertones. Salmon pink contains both orangey-peach undertones from its pink base and yellow undertones from its orange influences.
The warm yellow and peach undertones of salmon pink make it lean slightly towards the warm end of the color spectrum. However, the strength of these undertones can vary depending on how pink or orange the salmon color is. Paler and more pink-based salmons are cooler, while darker and more orangey salmons are warmer.
Color Temperature
Color temperature also helps define if a color is warm or cool. Warm colors like reds, oranges and yellows evoke heat like fire and sunlight. Cool colors like blues, greens and purples are reminiscent of ice and water.
Salmon pink’s ties to orange give it warmer color temperatures like sunlight and flames. However, its pinkness relates more to cooler subjects like flowers and seashells. Overall, salmon pink falls somewhere in the middle of the color temperature scale between very warm and very cool.
Use in Design and Fashion
How salmon pink is perceived in terms of warmth varies based on how it’s used in design and fashion. Here are some guidelines:
- In interiors, salmon walls, furniture and decor create a warm, cozy, inviting look and feel.
- Salmon pink looks modern and cool when paired with gray, black or white in minimalist graphic designs.
- For fashion, salmon pink gives off a warm, feminine, romantic vibe and works well in soft, flowing fabrics.
- Salmon pink can have a cool, chic look when used in sleek, tailored styles with metallic or neutral accents.
Overall, salmon pink is considered a warm neutral that can lean cool or warm depending on factors like its specific hue, usage, and colors it’s combined with.
Comparisons to Other Colors
Looking at how salmon pink relates to other warm and cool colors also sheds light on where it fits in:
- Salmon is warmer and more inviting than other pinks like baby pink, cotton candy pink and fuchsia.
- It’s cooler and more subtle than warmer oranges and peaches.
- Salmon is warmer than mauves and roses which have more blue undertones.
- It’s cooler and softer than true reds and scarlets.
Based on these comparisons, salmon leans warm while still retaining some pinkish-cool qualities that keep it more neutral than a bold true orange or red.
Conclusion
While opinions vary, salmon pink is generally considered more of a warm neutral color than a purely cool tone. Its ties to orange give salmon pink warm undertones and color temperatures, though its pinkness keeps it from being as boldly warm as a true red or orange. Salmon’s warmth makes it cozy for interiors but versatile enough to work in fashion and graphic design as well. When unsure, look at the specific hue and how salmon is utilized to determine if it reads more warm or cool.
