Psychological Effects of the Color Pink

Use the psychological effects of the color pink to create a fresh, soft look for your home.

The color pink is a 'tint' of the color red, also called a 'pastel', a color that's been mixed with white and there by desiderated.
(This is why the color pink doesn't appear on the Color Wheel Chart.)
Interestingly, pink is the only tint of a primary color with a name of its own.  (Baby blue is still blue, and light green is still green; names like 'aqua' and 'mint' are relatively recent monikers for "tertiary" color mixes of blue/green/white.)  And the psychological effects of the color pink are quite distinct from those of the color red.
Pink = Girly?
In most Western countries, the color pink is seen as a 'feminine' color and heavily used for anything to do with baby girls. But go back 100 years, and it's a different story:
So, considering that a mere century ago, pink was considered "more decided and stronger" (i.e. More 'masculine') than blue, we can safely say that the concept of pink as a 'girly' color is not hard wired into the human race!
And in Europe, refined, sophisticated (and non-sugary) versions of the color pink have been used in interior design for centuries, by (and for) both men and women.  The European country with the least hang-ups about using pink in interior design is probably France.  However, you don't need to be French to like the pink color schemes I've put together for my male friends.

Pink = Sweet & Soothing



Generally, when used in interior design, the psychological effect of the color pink is described as soothing and comforting.
Rudolf Steiner schools and hospitals, interior walls are often color washed in warm, gentle hues of the color pink, because of these soothing, healing qualities.
And when you think of all the pink-colored candy you have eaten, or been tempted to eat, in your life, you'll admit that this color is attractive and powerful. Some versions of the color pink have a sweetness and freshness about them that is very hard to resist.
Just like red, pink color comes in lots of hues. Ripe-peach pink, bubble gum pink, hot Caribbean pink - they each have their own appeal and psychological effects.
Pink = Emasculating?
In the 1970s, head coach Hayden Fry of Iowa State University decided to utilize the psychological effects of the color pink to the advantage of his football team.
He had the visiting team's locker room painted pink - a much-debated attempt to, warm, relaxing the players more than they would have liked.  Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but the color scheme has been in operation ever since, with a consistently mixed success rate.
Now, I do understand that if you're a man, you're probably more comfortable eating pink colored goodies than surrounding yourself with the color pink in your home. Gender stereotypes are a force to be reckoned with...
... And let's just say, pink makes for interesting research! I recently tried a color psychology experiment of my own - I went and bought new bed linen with gorgeous flowers printed all over it. I washed it and put it on the bed all fresh and nice. My husband, an upright Englishman, was appalled. He actually refused to sleep under the new bedding.