Interior Design
Trend Alert: Millennial Pink and How to Use This Colour
This peachy, grayish, soft pink can be bold or subtle
Millennial Pink is almost as hard to define as the generation it’s named after – but it’s also hard to ignore. It’s a trendy variety of pink that’s only recently been widely recognised by name, but it has actually been around for centuries and was revived by fashion houses decades ago. It’s a fun, daring, sophisticated hue that anyone can love – if you know how to use it.
It’s not “Barbie pink”
The ultravibrant magenta shades of “Barbie pink” that we tend to associate with children’s toys and princess dresses will always have their place, but Millennial Pink is different. Notice how the pink painted walls in this room have a much more subdued tone than the little girl’s dress. The dress is a purer, more fluorescent shade, while the walls are subtler and peachier.
Imagine that dress colour on the walls! A little goes a long way with a hue that saturated, so the softer Millennial Pink was the better choice for the walls.
The ultravibrant magenta shades of “Barbie pink” that we tend to associate with children’s toys and princess dresses will always have their place, but Millennial Pink is different. Notice how the pink painted walls in this room have a much more subdued tone than the little girl’s dress. The dress is a purer, more fluorescent shade, while the walls are subtler and peachier.
Imagine that dress colour on the walls! A little goes a long way with a hue that saturated, so the softer Millennial Pink was the better choice for the walls.
It’s not shy
Millennial Pink might be subtler and more complex than some other pinks, but it’s not trying to hide. It’s definitely pink, and you have to be confident enough to embrace it.
One of the ways pink is best used is mixed with white and other pale neutrals, and small hits of black, because they let the colour’s subtle tones sing.
Millennial Pink might be subtler and more complex than some other pinks, but it’s not trying to hide. It’s definitely pink, and you have to be confident enough to embrace it.
One of the ways pink is best used is mixed with white and other pale neutrals, and small hits of black, because they let the colour’s subtle tones sing.
It’s not permanent
Let’s face it: Millennial Pink has been around for a little while, but it won’t be here forever. It’s definitely a trendy colour that will lose its fashionable status in the future. The generation it’s named after doesn’t care, though. After all, this is the generation that embraces tattoos and social media, lives in the moment and doesn’t worry too much about the future.
Painting your walls such a bold colour may feel like a big risk, but at the end of the day (or the end of the decade), it’s only paint, and you can always update it to a new hue. If you feel like your decor needs a shake-up, be bold and give pink a try!
Let’s face it: Millennial Pink has been around for a little while, but it won’t be here forever. It’s definitely a trendy colour that will lose its fashionable status in the future. The generation it’s named after doesn’t care, though. After all, this is the generation that embraces tattoos and social media, lives in the moment and doesn’t worry too much about the future.
Painting your walls such a bold colour may feel like a big risk, but at the end of the day (or the end of the decade), it’s only paint, and you can always update it to a new hue. If you feel like your decor needs a shake-up, be bold and give pink a try!
It’s not easy to pin down
So if we know what Millennial Pink is not, how do we describe what it is?
Well, in reality, Millennial Pink is not strictly any one agreed-upon colour, although to me, this wall is a great example. In general, Millennial Pink is a soft pink with some grey tones to add subtlety and sophistication, and a slight hint of peach, making it a warmer and rosier pink and less a magenta-pink.
So if we know what Millennial Pink is not, how do we describe what it is?
Well, in reality, Millennial Pink is not strictly any one agreed-upon colour, although to me, this wall is a great example. In general, Millennial Pink is a soft pink with some grey tones to add subtlety and sophistication, and a slight hint of peach, making it a warmer and rosier pink and less a magenta-pink.
Paint Colours to Consider
It’s always best to take some paint swatches home and find the colour that looks right in your space, under the true lighting conditions (not in showroom lighting or on a glowing computer screen). However, to get you started, here are some paint colours to consider:
It’s always best to take some paint swatches home and find the colour that looks right in your space, under the true lighting conditions (not in showroom lighting or on a glowing computer screen). However, to get you started, here are some paint colours to consider:
- Pink Shore from Dulux
- Too Shy from Nippon Paint
- Little Princess from Jotun
How to Use It
1. Mix with white
As mentioned, Millennial Pink works wonderfully with lots of white to set it off. However, while white will help the pink look pinker, it also helps break it up, so the overall room doesn’t feel as intense.
1. Mix with white
As mentioned, Millennial Pink works wonderfully with lots of white to set it off. However, while white will help the pink look pinker, it also helps break it up, so the overall room doesn’t feel as intense.
Using elements such as furniture, doors, trim and art to introduce lots of crisp white and pale neutrals will break up a pink wall until just the right amount of hue shows through.
2. Mix with other pinks
White can make Millennial Pink stand out, but when mixed with bolder pinks, Millennial Pink can actually feel like the subdued neutral. With this rich rosy lamp in front, the subtle pink of the wall feels cohesive, so the overall look of the bedroom is restful despite refusing to stick to traditional neutrals.
White can make Millennial Pink stand out, but when mixed with bolder pinks, Millennial Pink can actually feel like the subdued neutral. With this rich rosy lamp in front, the subtle pink of the wall feels cohesive, so the overall look of the bedroom is restful despite refusing to stick to traditional neutrals.
3. On an accent wall
A single accent wall in a daring hue can completely restructure a space. This pink wall defining the dining area gives this open-concept space some sense of structure, and also makes the distant white walls feel a little farther away by comparison. Sometimes using a bit of a bold, advancing colour to offset the subtler, receding hues (like simple white) can play with depth in a way that makes the space actually feel bigger. So don’t be scared to try it in a smaller home.
A single accent wall in a daring hue can completely restructure a space. This pink wall defining the dining area gives this open-concept space some sense of structure, and also makes the distant white walls feel a little farther away by comparison. Sometimes using a bit of a bold, advancing colour to offset the subtler, receding hues (like simple white) can play with depth in a way that makes the space actually feel bigger. So don’t be scared to try it in a smaller home.
4. On a door
Want just a dash of Millennial Pink? Paint just a door this colour to create an eye-catching architectural statement without overwhelming the room. Try switching out the hardware to something with a black or bronze finish for a perfect punctuation mark that completes the look.
Want just a dash of Millennial Pink? Paint just a door this colour to create an eye-catching architectural statement without overwhelming the room. Try switching out the hardware to something with a black or bronze finish for a perfect punctuation mark that completes the look.
5. On children’s furniture
While we might wish we could keep it forever, realistically children’s furniture won’t be needed for more than a few years, so why not embrace a fun, trendy hue that both you and your child can enjoy? A subtle pink like this gives a child’s room a classic air that feels simultaneously fun and subtly charming – especially on a fun tepee-style play tent.
While we might wish we could keep it forever, realistically children’s furniture won’t be needed for more than a few years, so why not embrace a fun, trendy hue that both you and your child can enjoy? A subtle pink like this gives a child’s room a classic air that feels simultaneously fun and subtly charming – especially on a fun tepee-style play tent.
6. As bathroom accents
Accents like towels, vessels and trays in the bathroom can all be pure white for a safe, classic look, or you can choose a matching fun hue to give a bathroom plenty of personality. Try a blush pink for small accents, then top off the look with a few blossoms, and you can get a big impact in a small space.
Accents like towels, vessels and trays in the bathroom can all be pure white for a safe, classic look, or you can choose a matching fun hue to give a bathroom plenty of personality. Try a blush pink for small accents, then top off the look with a few blossoms, and you can get a big impact in a small space.
7. On bathroom fixtures
Using colourful fixtures is always a bit of a gamble. In years to come, you may still want the sink, but may or may not want the splash of colour. Hedge your bets by choosing a sink like this that has a hit of colour just on the outside, with a classic porcelain white on the interior. That way the sink can still look clean and crisp for years to come. Ultimately, if you love pink, you’ll still love it when trends change anyway.
Using colourful fixtures is always a bit of a gamble. In years to come, you may still want the sink, but may or may not want the splash of colour. Hedge your bets by choosing a sink like this that has a hit of colour just on the outside, with a classic porcelain white on the interior. That way the sink can still look clean and crisp for years to come. Ultimately, if you love pink, you’ll still love it when trends change anyway.
8. With blue
Pink and blue make for a combo that is both trendy and timeless – pink and blue were even both named Pantone’s Colours of the Year for 2016. These soft pink curtains and the royal blue rug give the room a balance of hot and cold, and just enough colour to feel rich even though the remaining elements are all simple neutrals.
Pink and blue make for a combo that is both trendy and timeless – pink and blue were even both named Pantone’s Colours of the Year for 2016. These soft pink curtains and the royal blue rug give the room a balance of hot and cold, and just enough colour to feel rich even though the remaining elements are all simple neutrals.
9. On the exterior
Subtle shades of pink paint give a home a certain retro yet timeless flair. Just make sure to use a subtle hue (paint a tester board with a few square feet of paint to see it properly), or your home will end up as “that house” on the block.
Subtle shades of pink paint give a home a certain retro yet timeless flair. Just make sure to use a subtle hue (paint a tester board with a few square feet of paint to see it properly), or your home will end up as “that house” on the block.
10. In the bedroom
Using pink in the bedroom doesn’t have to result in a full-on princess playhouse. Using a bit of peachy Millennial Pink for bedding accents, mixed with warm wood and cool grey or black, creates a balanced and mature look. Use it for a seasonal blanket and you can have a pink look half the year and a different hue for the other seasons, so you never tire of the style.
Using pink in the bedroom doesn’t have to result in a full-on princess playhouse. Using a bit of peachy Millennial Pink for bedding accents, mixed with warm wood and cool grey or black, creates a balanced and mature look. Use it for a seasonal blanket and you can have a pink look half the year and a different hue for the other seasons, so you never tire of the style.
11. On the headboard
For a romantic bedroom look, try a pink headboard in a velvety texture that gives the hue extra complexity and depth. Button tufting will give it a timeless air that will outlive trends, and will keep the padding from shifting over time.
For a romantic bedroom look, try a pink headboard in a velvety texture that gives the hue extra complexity and depth. Button tufting will give it a timeless air that will outlive trends, and will keep the padding from shifting over time.
12. On modern furniture
Classic midcentury modern pieces, like the Series 7 chair designed by Arne Jacobsen, feel fresh and new in contemporary colours. If you love modern furniture styles but don’t want something that feels too cold and minimalist, try a version in an eye-catching pink with brassy legs.
Classic midcentury modern pieces, like the Series 7 chair designed by Arne Jacobsen, feel fresh and new in contemporary colours. If you love modern furniture styles but don’t want something that feels too cold and minimalist, try a version in an eye-catching pink with brassy legs.
13. Boldly mix it
Millennial Pink doesn’t have to be a solo act. If you prefer a rich, colourful look, you can definitely mix this hue with other hues, including a rich palette of accents. Try it in a matte finish to give it an especially contemporary edge, and mix it with lots of leafy and floral patterns to get the summery appeal of this room.
Millennial Pink doesn’t have to be a solo act. If you prefer a rich, colourful look, you can definitely mix this hue with other hues, including a rich palette of accents. Try it in a matte finish to give it an especially contemporary edge, and mix it with lots of leafy and floral patterns to get the summery appeal of this room.
14. On cabinets
A greyed-out Millennial Pink makes for a beautifully unexpected cabinet colour. Try it for just the lower cabinets (or a space with no upper cabinets or shelves) to keep the bolder hue low to the ground, so the sightlines are open and the look is breezy.
What are sightlines?
A greyed-out Millennial Pink makes for a beautifully unexpected cabinet colour. Try it for just the lower cabinets (or a space with no upper cabinets or shelves) to keep the bolder hue low to the ground, so the sightlines are open and the look is breezy.
What are sightlines?
15. On a partial wall
If you’re already being bold in your colour choice, why follow the old rules for how to paint? Giving a wall a fun diagonal slash of paint allows you to add just the amount of drama you prefer. You can paint a little, or a lot, or even paint just a little and add more later until the look feels just right.
If you’re already being bold in your colour choice, why follow the old rules for how to paint? Giving a wall a fun diagonal slash of paint allows you to add just the amount of drama you prefer. You can paint a little, or a lot, or even paint just a little and add more later until the look feels just right.
16. On small accents
Don’t want to go all-in on Millennial Pink? A pillow or another small accessory, like a planter, is always a great way to dabble in a trend without investing too heavily. Repeat the same hue a few times in a small space and you can create a real feeling of colour with just a few elements, perfect for a first home or a rental.
Don’t want to go all-in on Millennial Pink? A pillow or another small accessory, like a planter, is always a great way to dabble in a trend without investing too heavily. Repeat the same hue a few times in a small space and you can create a real feeling of colour with just a few elements, perfect for a first home or a rental.
Since Millennial Pink can be a bit tricky to define, let’s start by talking about what it’s not.