Psychology of colour: Pink
Pink is healing, calming, uplifting, delicate, romantic – and divisive in more ways than one. Scientists even debate its actual existence, arguing it sits on the spectrum as a blend of red and violet light and hence is merely a construct of our brains! But add a dash of white to red, and there you have it: pink. “It’s a very soft, feminine colour, with a calming effect on most people,” says interior designer Victoria Waters.
“I like its gender bending potential, so it’s fun to use in a living room with pale oak timber, large clean furniture shapes and dark floors,” says interior designer Wende Reid of Form And Colour.
The association of pink as a gender signifier is a relatively new phenomenon, taking hold in American popular culture in the mid-19th century, but the colour has, in its history, also been associated with boyhood for its decidedly strong characteristics. With a range encompassing the brightest of fuchsias to luscious, soft peaches, pink is equally as comfortable as an accent in living rooms as swathing the walls of infant bedrooms.
1. Muuto ‘Ambit’ pendant in Rose, $280, Living Edge.
2. Melne Lillelund ‘Stella’ armchair in Dusty Rose, $649, Loungelovers.
3. Bloomingville ceramic votives in Nude, $59.90/set of 2, French Bazaar.
4. Gabrijela Polic ‘Silent Joy’ unframed canvas, $395/125cm x 94cm, Penny Farthing Design House.
5. ICD ‘Faun’ cushion in Pink, $49.95, Temple & Webster.
6. ‘Formlig’ glass vase in Light Pink, $19.99, Ikea.
