In home décor, the mere mention of pink often brings up images of bright bubblegum nurseries, princess-esque youth bedrooms or outdated frilly guest bedrooms. While these traditional rooms may not ring modern style inspiration, pink has many positive design qualities. Pink can brighten up any room, lending warmth, passion and romance to your design. In fact—when done right—pink can be incorporated to any space for a sophisticated look that’s fit for any age.

It’s all about the base, color that is!

Pink is frequently paired with neutrals to brighten up a room, offering a fun (and often unexpected!) pop of color to a modern space. Partner soft pink with metallics to give your living room, bedroom or other space a modern feel. Gold and silver provide a sophisticated palette, while select pink pieces in the right shades, such as raspberry or rose hues, can brighten a room without feeling overwhelming.

Another classic pink-inclusive color combination is black, white and pink. This timeless color recipe can be used for bedrooms—both youth and beyond. By incorporating thoughtful design elements such as pattern and texture, this color grouping can be used for ages 1 to 100 and everything in-between. For a bold approach that truly “pops”, try a combination of white-on-white, with a single pop of bright pink brought in through an accent wall, statement piece of furniture, or even a single bold accessory.

Pair pink with complementary tones

Pairing pink with a complementary green shade opens up a broad spectrum of design options. For a bold and bright approach, pair pops of bright shades in an otherwise neutral room. Try selecting an accent piece in Pantone’s color of the year, Greenery, along with your favorite bright pink shade. Alternatively, you can soften up the look with pastel shades that can be applied liberally and treated as neutrals. We love the combination of sage and rose.

Pink in unexpected places

Pink isn’t restricted to bedrooms or living spaces. Try adding pink to your kitchen through a statement pink backsplash or the use of retro pink appliances. Make a statement in your bathroom through pink tile or a pink clawfoot tub. No matter your style preferences or space, pink can make a subtle to bold statement depending on your use of key pieces and accessories.