Pale pink could be the colour of 2024… here’s how to use it in YOUR home

The emergence of pale pink as one of the key colors of 2024 has its roots in this summer’s entertainment hits.

The movie Barbie inspired us to perceive pink as joyful and enriching. Meanwhile, the interiors of And Just Like That…, the sequel to Sex And The City on Amazon Prime, sparked a passion for “bloomcore”, a soft, welcoming look incorporating wallpapers with oversized floral designs, many of them in pink.

Sarah Jessica Parker, who plays Carrie Bradshaw in the series, designed these “elegant flowers.”

Such is the belief in pale pink’s potential that paint manufacturers large and small have been touting it for greatness in 2024.

Dulux says Sweet Embrace, a subtle plaster pink, “has a visual softness that soothes the senses and creates an atmosphere of serenity.”

Little Greene, the Welsh paint company, has chosen its Masquerade shade, a warm powder pink, as its number one choice for the new year.

There are two key factors that propel pale pink to the top of the paint popularity charts. First, it’s an ideal backdrop for the other key colors of 2024: chocolate brown and plum.

But it also works with greens and grays and pairs well with most decor styles, including rural “cottagecore” aesthetics or more formal urban settings.

Kate Watson-Smyth, designer and author of the blog Mad About The House, comments: “Pale pink is not sweet. It’s a bright neutral, comforting and universally flattering for all skin tones. I just painted my house in Plaster colors from Paint & Paper Library.’

Olivia Emery, of Olivia Emery Interiors, says pale pink is more interesting than cream or white: “Use it alone and you can create a lovely light and bright scheme.” Pair it with a contrasting darker color, like a dusty blue, and you’ll give the space a more contemporary feel.

“If people are nervous about painting an entire room pink, then having it on the ceiling adds a nice warm feeling to the room. Ceilings should always be interesting.

Ed O’Donnell, of interior design studio Angel O’Donnell, is another fan: “Pale pink is as calming and mood-enhancing as a vibrant autumn sunrise – and makes an ideal base for deeper, richer tones.

“In the master bedroom of a recent project, we introduced warm putty pink walls, deep pink artwork, and pink accents in pillows and a throw to create a comforting and welcoming space. It feels sophisticated, a bit heritage and inclusive.

Coco Chanel, whose iconic pink costumes are currently on view in a special exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, painted her bathrooms pale pink. His awareness of how light can change any color undoubtedly influenced his choice.

Watson-Smyth says: “Pink really responds to ambient light. If you paint a south-facing room pink, the sunlight will turn it peach, which can be a little sickly. I would go for a subtle shade like Threadneedle from Mylands.

If you think pale pink is just too sweet, O’Donnell suggests using it sparingly as an accent in artwork, throw pillows, picture frames and mirrors.

A pale pink accent chair, like Dunelm’s £299 buttoned Arianna, would lend a certain glamor to a gray interior.

Julian Page, head of design at bhs.co.uk, recommends pale pink and soft blush lampshades, combined with warm-toned bulbs. After all, why wouldn’t you want to look pretty in pink?