Color Inspo: Pink Pink Pink

Millennial Pink might be on the decline (or so I hear), but I'm all kinds of inspired by it right now.

Call it summer vibes, call it an urge to head to a tropical destination - whatever it is, I'm so far gone on the train to pink land. Who could possibly resist?!

Now let's be clear - I'm not talking hot pink or that jarring shade the Pink Panther always seems to don. Those are fine and all, but they're not exactly my style.

What I've been loving lately is more along the lines of softer pinks - think rose, blush, or flamingo. They've got iconic beach town written all over them, and every time I see them I want to throw on my swimsuit and dive into the waves (hypothetically, of course - I live in Minnesota, so waves aren't exactly easy to come by). 

There's just something so feminine and elegant about these shades, but not in an obnoxious or showy way. Pink makes a statement that combines class with fun, refinement with adventure. It's a color pop that immediately invites.

The important thing to keep in mind with pink, though, is that you want to choose a shade that's subtle - generally, it's best to stick to "seaside escape" or "Parisian romance" inspiration instead of "Barbie's dream house." Soft pinks can bring character to a room, or help you make your house stand out from the crowd, but a pink that's too harsh can feel visually jarring and cringe-worthy. 

Here's how to incorporate this color into your home without letting it go overboard:

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Paint the exterior of your home
Don't think pink is a good color for Minnesota? I beg to differ. The right shade can make your home simultaneously blend in and stand out in the midst of your neighbor's homes. As good as it looks in the summer time, it's a simple stunner when the snow starts to fall, too. Pink tends to be a softer alternative to the typical greys and blues that dominate the Midwest, and it's a brighter option than sticking to whites or beiges.

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Paint your doors pink
Keeping the surrounding area neutral, use pink on your doors as a way to add a pop of personality and playfulness to your home. Not ready to commit to an exterior door? Try it in a laundry room or another room in your home - it can become a statement piece all on its own.

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Incorporate pink into your decor
Splashes of soft pinks - especially in your bedroom - can have a welcoming and calming effect. Especially if you're typically drawn to more of a neutral color scheme, pink can help to add some spice to the room without straying too far into the bold color realm. You don't want to cover every surface in it, of course, but a little here or there can really make a difference.

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Embrace retro vibes with pink tile or appliances
Remember how nearly every 1950s rambler once had a completely pink bathroom (I'm talking floor to ceiling pink)? Well don't worry, I'm not advocating for exactly that. However, a little pink can give a splash of retro to a room in a way that's tasteful. Similar to adding pink into your bedroom decor, they key to adding pink to a bathroom or kitchen is to keep it minimal. A beautiful rose tile or a pink vintage style refrigerator can be stunning - but be strategic about it, and balance it out with neutrals or other complementary colors in the room. Let the tile or appliance be an exciting and surprising element, but don't try to match every other part of the room to that shade. There's a fine line between an outdated bathroom and a contemporary spa getaway.

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If you're not quite ready to run to the hardware store to pick up a gallon of pink, that's totally okay. It's not for everyone. But for those of you who are as obsessed over this color as I am, just remember to keep it simple and lean towards the muted and softer shades. If you're purposeful about where you incorporate it into your home, it can completely transform your space into that perfect combination of happiness and style we all crave. And frankly, I can't think of a more enjoyable way to live.