What Colors Go With Pink? – The Best Colors That Complement Pink

Pink is such a nostalgic color; it reminds one of childhood playdates, tea parties, and toys. Although pink is considered a very feminine color, it wasn’t always considered as such and shouldn’t be anymore. With all of its various tones and hues, pink can be a fitting color for all genders, ages, and cultures. Pink is created by mixing a lot of white with a little red. The more red is added, the brighter the pink becomes. Pink is thus the toned-down, sweeter version of the passionate, intense, and angry red. Theoretically, this makes a lot of sense because pink mostly consists of white, which is a symbol of purity, cleanliness, and freshness.

Pink Color Combinations

To find colors that go with pink, it is important to consider the different color theories and the color placement on the color wheel. When trying to find colors that compliment pink, it is important to keep in mind that pink can be a very bright and colorful color, but it is also possible for pink to be so muted that it can almost be considered neutral. For most of the combinations below, true pink will be used, which is a very soft pink that isn’t overly warm or overly cool.

Complementary Color of Pink

The complementary color of pink is directly opposite pink on the color wheel, and in this case, it is green. This is because green is also the complementary color of red, and pink is technically just a lighter shade of red. The complementary green for true pink is very soft, and almost pastel green. It creates a great balance when used as an accent against pink backdrops. Play around with the hues of green to create interesting complementary combinations for pink. 

Emerald green against soft pink, for example, can make a great statement.

Split Complementary Colors of Pink

The split complementary colors of true pink are directly beside pink’s complimentary green. These colors are very light, pastel blue and green. The combination of these colors results in a very soft and feminine look and also works very well in nurseries.

Monochromatic Colors of Pink

Monochromatic colors are the same color, only darker or lighter hues. When placed next to each other, these colors are very pleasing to the eye, no matter what color is made use of. The monochromatic colors of pink darken all the way to a cherry-pink/red color. 

This is a surprising, yet beautiful combination for pink when used correctly.

Triadic Colors of Pink

Triadic colors create a perfect triangle on the color wheel at 60-degree angles. These combinations are usually very interesting, but straining to the eye. In the case of true pink, however, the triadic colors are very soft, light, and pleasing to look at. Of course, these colors darken, depending on what shade of pink is used.

Analogous Colors of Pink

Analogous colors are found on each side of the color in question. Pink’s analogous colors create beautiful pastel rainbows that are very pleasing and feminine. They go all the way from a dark peachy pink to a very cool purple-pink color. 

The color combinations for analogous colors are endless and are usually a great color scheme to choose from, no matter the main color. 

What Colors Go With Pink?

Like with orange, the name pink came from a namesake, although not a fruit, but in this case, a flower. This fact alone is an indication of the connotation of the color pink. Pink is associated with femininity and everything that goes along with it: softness, sweetness, politeness, sensitivity, and romance. These characteristics are only related to a very soft pink though. Pink is a very interesting color in the fact that, depending on what color it is combined with, it can completely change the meaning and feel of the color.

For example, pairing white with soft pink enhances the feminine and innocent characteristics previously mentioned. But pair hot pink with black, and suddenly you are left with feelings of seduction and eroticism. It is interesting to note, however, that pink was not always regarded as a feminine color. In fact, in the 1920s pink was considered a color that exudes masculinity. 

It was only later that men started wearing darker colors, and the go-to colors for women were pastels, that pink became such a favorite for women and girls all around the world.

Designers find pink a challenging color with which to design and decorate, mostly because pink is seen as an “unnatural color”. The reason for this is that pink does not appear in nature very often. We see a few references to cherry blossom trees during spring, and the only pink animal that comes to mind is a flamingo, but aside from that, pink is not very evident in nature.

Pink is also the color that is associated mostly with sweet foods, which is why it is so overused in sweet stores and ice cream shops. Pink is one of those colors that people look at and can almost taste in their minds. Pink reminds us of strawberries, for example, even though strawberries are red, we are just used to strawberry-flavored food items being pink.

Dirty Pink and Warm Brown

Because brown is a very natural, earthy color, it is one of the colors that compliment pink, especially a warmer dusty pink. Together, these two colors are the epitome of warmth and comfort. This color combination is very popular in bohemian and rustic-themed homes.

Pink and Blue

A great contrast color for pink is blue, not only because of the color value but also because of the gender symbolism. Designers like to balance out an overly feminine and pink room with blue furniture and accessories, and vice versa. As with most combinations, the shades used here are also very important.  Both pink and blue can act as neutral backdrops when the correct shades are chosen.  Try to stray away from using the same tones of both colors. For example, don’t use a very rich royal blue in combination with hot pink, although these colors do work well when used minimally, in patterns over neutral backgrounds. The opposite also applies here: try not to use a faded baby blue with dusty rose pink, as this will look washed out. 

Choose your prominent bright color, and use muted tones of the other.

Pink and Orange

Orange may be your last consideration when faced with the question “what colors go with pink?”. The combination of pink and orange is a very controversial color combination. People tend to either love it or hate it. Contemporary, edgy, and fun designers love to pair hot pink with tangerine orange, and when they do they tend to go full out: Hot pink walls with bright orange velvet furniture and décor, with no neutral color pallet cleanser in between. This is a great option if you want to be loud and make a statement, but you might tire of this specific combination quickly.

Fear not, when the right shades of this color combination are used, it can create an opposite effect to the above description. Switching the hot pink out for a pastel pink, with bright orange furniture is such a good combination. The opposite also applies in that hot pink works well with muted orange as the backdrop.

Pink and Green

The combination of pink and green is a beloved choice in interior design because green is a contrast color to pink. Specifically light, dust pink walls and accessories combined with emerald green furniture are placed in front of it. Green plants against light pink walls are also a great, contemporary duo. This color pair works well collectively because they are each other’s complementary colors on the color wheel. Aside from being complementary colors, pink is seen as a very synthetic color, whereas green is seen as the most natural color possible. 

The contrast of these colors balances each other’s shortcomings. This is why we see pink bridesmaids’ dresses, especially at outdoor weddings. The photos look great with the pink dresses and natural green scenery.

Other great shades in this color combination are light olive green and dirty pink. Combined, these colors have a very neutral quality to them, and they have the potential to create a very calming environment when they are matched with pink.

Pink is no longer the symbol of feminism that it used to be. It is such a popular color choice for interiors, that it can more accurately be described as a neutral color. It may seem a daunting color choice at first, but combining the right shade of pink with appropriate complementary colors can create a very balanced space that is very pleasing to the eye.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Colors Complement Light Pink?

It all depends on what mood you want to achieve in your space. Light pink and gray is a soothing combinations. Rose pink combined with bright orange is fun and fresh, and blush pink combined with black is confident and happy.

What Colors Go With Pink?

Depending on the shade of pink used, there are various colors that go with pink. Black, forest green, and blue goes well with bright pink, whereas mint green and dark brown look great when combined with a soft rose pink.

What Color Goes With Pink and Gray?

Pink and gray is quite the obvious color combination, because gray, as a neutral, is a great match with pink. However, because gray is neutral and pink is very soft and feminine, you might want to buffer these two colors with pops of another color. Green, which is the complementary and contrast color for pink, comes in handy in this case. All shades of green tend to match with pink, seeing as green is also a very natural color, but makes more of a statement than neutral colors.

What Color Curtains Go With Pink Walls?

It depends on the shade of pink, but gray curtains are more than likely to be a great pairing for your pink walls. If you want to make more of a statement, go for monochromatic colors such as cherry, or a very light shade of pink.

Does Red Go With Pink?

Red and pink are another one of those controversial color combinations. But seeing as pink is a lighter shade of red, they are monochromatic colors and monochromatic color combinations work very well together.

How Can You Soften a Pink Wall?

Pink walls make a statement, and if for some reason you can’t change it and you don’t fancy the color as much, it is best to try and embrace the wall color by researching colors that go with pink. By embracing it, you can make use of complementary colors to balance the colors in the room out, and this will in turn make the pink wall not that big of an eyesore. Colors like taupe, green, and gray complement pink in the best way. Strategically place these colors in the form of your curtains, furniture, and décor.