With the Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie, currently exploding like a pink confetti cannon onto cinema screens, it's no wonder the decorating world is going mad for pink décor. But now there's a new pink in town. Step forward Dulux Colour of the Year 2024: Sweet Embrace. A departure from fluorescent shades, Sweet Embrace is a delicate, welcoming pale pink, which is super versatile and totally liveable. Whether you fancy injecting a little colour into a grey living room or brightening up a lacklustre kitchen, we've rounded up the most wonderful ways to introduce this beautiful shade into your home. Click or scroll for inspiration...
Sweet Embrace is a soothing shade of pink and Dulux has created three palettes to offer design inspiration. When combined with warmer shades, like in Dulux’s Warm Colour Story, it helps create a lovely cosy feel for autumn/winter. Here an ombre effect of earth tones has been used with the shade to create a living space that offers the perfect retreat from the outside world. Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Colour Expert at Dulux, explains: “Sweet Embrace celebrates and optimises every shade around it so you can build a totally individual space in any room. It’s the perfect modern neutral that you can use with confidence, knowing it will unite each element from furnishings to artwork whilst creating a gently uplifting atmosphere.”
How’s this for a dreamy kitchen? Here, Dulux’s Uplifting Colour Story palette shows the saccharine shade used on a statement kitchen island and paired with modern lilacs to create a vibrant space which is full of energy and joy. Sweet Embrace is described by Marianne Shillingford as, "a cheerleader in colour form” so, throw out the rule book and create a home that suits your personal style! Not sure how it will look in your home? Download the Dulux visualizer app, to see any colour 'live' in your own space before you take the plunge.
Cool tones of blue and green work beautifully with shades of pink. In Dulux’s Calm Colour Story, woodland and seascape tones help create a quiet space in this indoor-outdoor area. The combination of Sweet Embrace pink walls with a window frame beautifully highlighted in a blue shade creates both an element of interest and a peaceful scheme. Marianne Shillingford goes on to say: “What is so wonderful about Sweet Embrace is its soothing quality. Like a whisper of reassurance in a moment of stress, it has a visual softness that calms the senses and creates an atmosphere of serenity."
Want to see the other shades of pink that are rocking our worlds? Read on for more hot pink hues...
We all know Barbie's signature colour is pink, in every shade, and so the decorating world has gone mad with Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse style. So much so there's a rumour in Tinseltown (and Leavesden) that the set designers on Barbie allegedly caused a global shortage of Barb's favourite fuchsia tone. "The world ran out of pink", explained Sarah Greenwood to Architectural Digest. Preferring hand-painted to CGI, director Greta Gerwig says. “I wanted the pinks to be very bright, and everything to be almost too much.” The chosen shade? Reportedly, a fluorescent Rosco paint.
If you are as obsessed with Barbie's pink film set as much as we are then this real-life dreamhouse in California is sure to delight! The signature pink decorating scheme is present inside and out, from the neon roof to blush boudoir. In celebration of the Barbie movie release, this incredible Airbnb offered two one-night stays for up to two guests on the 21 and 22 July 2023 to coincide with the movie release. It is bursting with energetic extras such as an outdoor disco complete with a mirror ball and a chillaxing infinity pool.
It was Ken who hosted this Airbnb Malibu Dreamhouse stay. Check out how Barbie's signature pink is offset with a more masculine cowboy vibe in Ken's bedroom. Here, bronco additions bring a touch of warmth and texture to the outrageous and retro dollhouse scheme. If you think Barbie's iconic colour is a bit too extreme, we've got plenty of pink decorating ideas in all hues to create your own dream home, scroll on...
Capture the essence of Barbiecore in your own home with fun pink wallpaper. Design brand Bobbi Beck has launched some sweet-sounding pink wallpapers in pretty iconic patterns such as polka dot (Bonbon), gingham (Picnic) and vertical ice-cream stripes (Froyo). Teamed with curvy retro pink furniture, getting the Barbie look with these decorative wallpapers couldn't be easier.
A walk-in wardrobe is an ideal area to experiment with pink. This functional as well as pretty space is brimming with storage solutions and a feel-good factor. Floor-to-ceiling shelving and hanging rails are painted in a coral rose and feature brushed gold handles.
Combine bold, beautiful colours in your living room scheme by selecting bright contrasting shades that offset each other perfectly. Sunny yellow layered with varying tones of pink works in harmony against the warm wood floor, creating a vibrant and energising scheme.
Who says pink has to be soft and girly? Graphic motifs teamed with dopamine bright colours can add the perfect edge to pink furnishings to create a bold and quirky living space. Contemporary coral-coloured panels break up this busy backdrop and floral furnishings contrast perfectly against the strong lines.
Pink is a beautiful colour to paint the hero feature of a room. This extravagant Edwardian-style bathroom is anchored perfectly with the stand-out pink claw-foot bath. Instagrammer and blogger Katie Woods, owner of @comedowntothewoods has picked out the tone exquisitely with floral wallpaper trailing from above.
Introducing texture is a great way to add interest to an interior, and soft velvet furnishings are just the trick. Opt for hot pink tones for a sophisticated, wow-factor finish. Then, either keep the walls light or add pattern for a maximalist look.
Wall murals are a simple and affordable way to add atmosphere to your living spaces. These floral arches, instantly add a dose of antique charm to a room, as well as offer a showstopping focal point. Plus, most murals are self-adhesive, washable and easy to remove, so you can try out a different design as trends change!
If you're going to commit to a big colour, don't do it by halves. This bold fuchsia shade offers a creative way to zone off a home office alcove, while adding plenty of personality to your workstation. Offset the vivid pop of colour with a calming and warm neutral hue for a perfectly balanced space.
Think pink should be reserved for bedrooms and lounges? Think again. Adding pink to your kitchen is the ultimate way to bring a fun flourish to a functional room. This bubblegum pink kitchen island adds character to a contemporary scheme and zones off the space from the rest of the open-plan living area.
Give a dining room a warm, enveloping vibe with the help of mauve pink paint. This beautiful block of colour starts at the skirting and continues right up and onto the ceiling. Not only is it easy on the eye but it's a great way to zone off a dining area in a larger, open-plan living space. For the perfect finishing touch, add some gold statement mirrors to offset the hue.
Go mid-century modern with a minimal bedroom in powder pink. Pair soft pink metal furniture with walls that have been colour-matched with the same pale tone. Add just a touch of peach using accessories such as artwork and bedlinen for a warming contrast that can be easily updated.
Pink doesn't need to be a shocking shade to make a real impact. Opt for soft-coloured blinds in a white conservatory for a subtle yet standout look. Balanced with modern materials such as perspex and coloured glass, it's the perfect fusion of modern and romantic.
For an elegant yet edgy look in your bathroom, team the ongoing luxury trend, marble, with pink-hued industrial-style metro tiles. Here, the mix of simplicity versus opulence makes an interesting statement that will never go out of style. The pink pedestal sink is gorgeous too.
What a refreshing new take on a homely country kitchen! A cashmere scheme adds a touch of whimsy and plenty of character to a classic style. Modern additions like pendant lighting bring this space bang up to date.
Statement furniture can make or break a room, and plush, vintage-inspired seating can transform a plain living space into a thoroughly stylish affair. Pair with gold finishes for an elegant, Art Deco vibe that Jay Gatsby would be proud of.
Transform your bathroom into a calming oasis, with dramatic tiling in complementary pastel shades. These undulating tiles create architectural interest, whilst providing a tranquil backdrop to wash away your day.
Throw the ultimate all-weather garden party by creating an outdoor room packed to the pergola with pink. It's easy to do: start with said pergola and drape opaque pink fabric around the beams. Then, arrange a sumptuous, velvet loveseat and chair around a fluffy outdoor rug and add coffee tables and serving carts to create plenty of surfaces for refreshments. Quirky additions like this novelty lips cushion and balloon dog sculpture increase the fun factor.
We've heard of man caves and she sheds but how about adding a sweet twist to your conservatory by transforming it into a girly games room? Candy pink and sorbet lemon checkered wallpaper set against lilac wall panels create a lively backdrop to enhance this funky pink pool table. Complete the striking space with a collection of vibrant and graphic wall art and paint the wood doors pink to match. Beautiful!
Neutral doesn't have to be boring – in fact, opting for barely-there pink tones can create a soothing space that's ideal for a cosy living room. Warm up a pale pink wall with natural wood furniture and add a curvaceous sofa upholstered in textured boucle fabric.
Bring boho into your living room with a patterned sofa and footstool in rich pink shades. Allow vibrant furnishings to shine by adding a muted backdrop to your scheme, like this pared-back exposed brick wall.
A soft pink and cream living room scheme can offer the perfect balance of uplifting relaxation. A comfortable and neutral sofa is an easy-going yet smart focal point to pair with a blush pink backdrop. White wood storage will keep the scheme fresh and allow plenty of surface space to add personal character with favourite objects and plants.
One of the biggest interior trends at the moment, wall panelling is a great way to add architectural interest to an uninspiring living space. Add a colourful twist to this traditional wall treatment with a two-tone pink finish – paint the lower two-thirds a vibrant rosy hue and opt for a subtle neutral shade from the upper third.
Adding soft pink tiles to your kitchen or bathroom is a fantastic way of incorporating a non-neutral hue into your home. Opt for pearlescent patterned designs to add some shine to your interior spaces – plus their reflective sheen will help to maximise natural light.
If curtains and blinds aren't your thing then opt for contemporary internal shutters in powder pink. Tie the room together with monochrome finishes and light grey accessories – the perfect marriage of shades and textures.
Colourful upholstered beds are a hot trend right now but if you don't want such a bright focal point, a soft pink tone is a stylish, more muted alternative. This classic design in petal pink is comfortable yet refined. For a moody vibe pair with a navy blue backdrop and dark wood furniture. Match the bed linen to the headboard to make the bed the star of the show.
These subtle pink wood panels are transformed when teamed with a jet black window pane and radiator. The juxtaposition adds a dramatic edge to the traditional scheme. A black and white statement floor marries the attention-to-details that fast-forward the bathroom scheme to 21st-century cool.
If you're a fan of metallics, opt for an ultra-luxurious dining room that teams dusky pink with glistening gold accents. From chair legs to cupboard handles and vases, gold fixtures are a great way to accentuate the warmth of this rosy hue.
For a more organic feel, a pale plaster pink can make a great neutral backdrop – especially in a living room brimming with natural materials and earthy hues. Experiment with rattan furnishings and bursts of black for a contemporary palette that'll really make that soft pink sing.
Celebrate your favourite shades of pink in your lounge with a gorgeous gallery wall. Don't be afraid to mix things up – combine typographic prints with floral photographs and bold artwork in rosy hues for a pretty showcase that's bursting with personality.
Don't be afraid to use a range of pink tonal shades in one room. Blending cool pale pink with more rosy shades will transform a lacklustre room into a dazzling space, worthy of a spread in a glossy home magazine!
Why not add pink notes outside in the warmer months, for a romantic take on alfresco entertaining? Design an enchanting outdoor entertaining space by embracing soft blush tones with floral accents to create a secret garden scheme.
Turn your bedroom into a traditional country haven, with soft pastels, heavily patterned fabrics and antique-inspired furnishings for a rustic yet delicately finished look.
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