Pink, The Color Blokes Can't Stand:
7 ½ Male-Compatible Pink Color Schemes
Pink the color is unique: it's the only tint of a primary color with its own name. Pink is also unique in provoking strong opinions in the Western world.
Even though there's no universally agreed meaning of the color pink, most Europeans (and Americans) see it as a 'feminine' decorating color.
My lovely husband, a self-respecting Englishman, once refused to sleep under a pink-flowered duvet!
As far as I'm aware, the only exception to male decorating pinkphobia are the French.
In France, pink is celebrated in kitchens, living rooms, pink hallways ... there's absolutely no problem with the color pink, and no wall is off limits!
Male-Compatible Color Combinations With Pink
Even if you're not French, one of the following color combinations with pink is likely to work for you! I've gone easy on the 'girl' factor and found some gender-neutral & grown-up colors that go with pink. See what you think! (More great color combinations here!)
Cool & Dusty
Grey rose + washed indigo + cool grey + linen white
+ camouflage green + chestnut brown
↑ The harmonious trio of camouflage green, indigo and cool grey pulls this pink color scheme firmly into 'male' territory. (You need quite a greyed tone of pink for this to work). Leather in a warm reddish browns (maroon, chestnut, burnt sienna) is perfect for 'masculine' color combinations with pink.
Best wall colors: Creamy white, light grey, sage green.
Best wood stain: Rustic oak.
Seashells
Deep plum + pale cowslip + charcoal + shell pink +cadet grey
↑ Chalky grey tones of plum and a hint of yellow make subtle, understated coordinating colors for pink, particularly the delicate, warm pink color of seashells. Subdued purple is great for accents as well.
Best wall colors: Creamy white or palest pink.
Best wood stain: Antique walnut.
Mustard
Grayed rose + mustard yellow + cool, desaturated blues
↑ This slightly edgy 1920s room color scheme looks great with cool, desaturated blue hues and an assertive cool pink - both help to balance the warmth of mustard yellow.
Best wall colors: Palest (chalky) rose, pale mustard, whipped cream.
Best wood stains: Dark hardwoods.
Summer Camp
Steely blue + pomegranate + pale pink + white + olive green + duck-egg blues
↑ Combine a number of 'vintage' blue hues with a few shades of olive. Throw in a deep, glowing pomegranate red for accents, and make pink the color that pulls the color scheme together: a warm but washed-out, greyish tone of pink.
Best wall colors: Pale duck-egg blue, translucent grey, milky white.
Best wood stains: Grey driftwood, heritage oak.
Attitude
Cool pink + antique pewter + warm grey + deep hunter green + magenta
↑ In this pink color scheme, an almost icy (distinctly non-sugary) pink is balanced by punchy magenta, and supported by warm tones of grey and a deep leafy green (which is essential to this color combination).
Best wall colors: Palest grey.
Best wood stain: Limed oak.
Peaches & Cream
Dusty turquoise + white + peachy pinks
↑ This peach/turquoise combination skirts the 'yellow' side of pink (a more saturated version is 'Winter Sunrise' in the orange color scheme section). Essentially, this is a tinted orange-blue complementary color combination. It is very soothing, perfect for a child's room or a sweet, restful bedroom.
Best wall colors: Creamy white or pale peach.
Best wood stain: Aged oak.
Sweet Pea
Pale purply pink + light cornflower blue + white
+ green pastels + rose + flamingo pink + baby blue
↑ Finally a vintage, feel-good combination of blue, green and a good dose of pink the color in three different hues. Think polka dots, Vichy checks and rose prints ... (I admit this one really isn't for the blokes. Well, see if you can talk him into it. He may find it hard to resist the happy colors.)
Best wall colors: White, pale pink or light misty blue.
Best wood stains: Natural or limed oak, rustic pine.
Pink The Color Appears In These Combos, Too:
(Click A Pic)
Color & Paint Ideas For Pink Rooms:
(Click A Pic)
Have a look at some of this color scheme inspiration, too (mini-bookshop in partnership with Amazom):
- Because pink the color is a tint, you won't find it on a regular, commercial color wheel chart. But you can download a printable, tinted color wheel here!
- Have a look at the four-primary color wheel, too, for great interior design color schemes - it's different & inspiring.
- Pink the color has a warm and a cool side, just like the original hue, red.
- Many French homes make pink the color of choice! (Check out Tuscan decorating colors, too.)
- How to develop great (pink) color schemes: Get the basics right with Interior Design Colors 101 and Choosing Paint Color 101!
- Neutral Color Schemes - The
Book:
Learn about using neutral color palettes in your home. Understand what makes neutral color schemes look their best, and what happens when you inject 'real' color into neutral color combinations. It's FREE!!
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