Pink and Brown Room Theme

Need ideas for your next home decorating project? How about a girls room, bathroom, nursery, baby's room or kitchen in pink and brown? The delicate innocence and feminine grace of pink has often been coupled with the stronger, richer stability of chocolate brown. Retailers are realizing this pink and brown theme is becoming a favorite, and have tried pink and brown polka dots, pink and brown stripes, pink and brown flowers, pink and brown plaid & paisley, and even pink and brown window-sticking photo dots. You name it, and you can probably find it. Use this page as an idea generator for your new pink and brown themed room. 

A cheery and bubbly pink and white living room was featured in Country Living recently. Again, it's not overwhelmingly pink, but there's enough to give a playful, peppy feel. Notice the subtle dark brown cherry wood accents in the curtain rods, lamp stand, and leaning frame on the right.

The Barclay Butera room (above) is not what you'd normally think of if you were to think of a "pink and brown" theme, but even through its subtle clean lines and neutral tones, you will see the dominant colors are faint pink and dark brown, with plenty of gold and white to keep the room from looking too feminine.

Ruthie Sommers's office or study (below) doesn't actually have pink walls, but the insides of the open bookshelves and display shelves are painted a dusty pink color, and that gives the same effect, without overpowering the room. A brown paint that comes close to a dark beige makes a great backdrop for her pink and white bookshelves. Rosy rugs, vases, and even book spines echo the pink theme, but don't excessively match the pink paint used in the bookcases, so the effect is elegant and gentle.

Dark brown wallpaper, furniture, and rug and curtain accents give this guest room (above) more of a chocolatey brown flavor, while the darker pink cushions and flowers definitely imitate rather than contrast with the browns. This room would easily get too dark and dismal if it weren't for the tall windows, light-colored floor, and the surprising lime green and yellow accessories. Wallpaper in this room is "Dunloe" from Osborne & Little, Cameo Roses Rug is from Dash and Albert, and Shade Store provided the wooden-weave shades.

Remember, when decorating a room in a pink and brown theme, don't feel like you need to instantly buy new paint and cover all your walls. Brown is a dark color and a little goes a long way for absorbing all light in a room, and pink is sometimes intense and nearly always associated with girly-girl. Your desire for pink and brown decor can be easily satiated by a few pink or brown rugs, pillows, a new duvet or comforter, or even just a classy pink-themed painting or two. You could always paint the top half or bottom half of your wall pink or brown, then do white on the other half, and separate the two colors with a chair rail. Consider doing one wall in pink and brown wallpaper, or paint one wall in stripes of pink and brown (put up strips of tape to guide your brush) and leave your other walls a nice neutral color.

© 2010 Jane Grey