Pink paints have been slowly but surely gaining momentum recently. Less so the ultra-feminine, blush pinks; and more so earthy, 'plaster' pinks that fill our homes with warmth and depth, used essentially as a new neutral.
One of the best pink paints is no doubt Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room Pink. Described by Farrow & Ball as a 'muted rose', this pink paint is incredibly liveable, and perfectly balanced to bring a touch of pink to our homes in a modern, grown-up way.
At this time of year, as we spend more time inside our homes, paint colors like Sulking Room Pink are some of the best to boost coziness, especially if you want to add more richness to your space but don't want to go too colorful or dark.
Below, we've explained all you need to know about this moody shade of pink, including our favorite ways to decorate with it. Read on to gain some cozy and sophisticated room color ideas.
What color is Sulking Room Pink?
Sulking Room Pink is best described as a muted shade of rose pink. Avoiding highly saturated tones, this pink paint is incredibly liveable and steers clear from appearing overly feminine. With its chalky finish, it's not at all jarring but instead works almost as a dark neutral paint.
Patrick O'Donnell, Brand Ambassador at Farrow & Ball describes Sulking Room Pink as the paint brand's 'moodiest of pinks with a lovely earthiness to it so never reads saccharine or bright.'
Like many of the most popular paint colors, Sulking Room Pink feels like an in-between hue. Depending on a room's lighting, this paint color can lean more brown or even like a soft purple. 'In poorly lit rooms it will appear much darker with a brown note to it, but don’t be nervous about this, it will create a rich and cozy ambiance', continues Patrick.
'Farrow & Ball's Sulking Room Pink is the perfect rosy color for someone who wants a little pink and a little purple,' adds Darci Tee, Lead Designer at TKS Design Group.
Not too pink and not too brown, Sulking Room Pink is the most sophisticated and grounding pink paint.
4 ways to decorate with this rosy shade
There are lots of ways to decorate with Sulking Room Pink, and we'd say that it works in pretty much any room of the home. With any application, this paint color lends itself to cozy, layered interiors, so it can make a great color choice if you're looking for a wall color that adds depth and warmth, without feeling too lively.
To lean into the cozy, warming appeal of this shade, Patrick recommends teaming it with rich textiles, which would work well in a living room or bedroom: 'Think of rust or Bordeaux-colored velvets on your upholstery for a cozy night in.'
'For something a little more dramatic, use it on dining room walls,' adds Patrick. 'This color will only be enhanced by ambient low light and candlelight, but paint trim in something bolder like our blackest green Studio Green for a contemporary twist. Finally, use in a large, light-filled bedroom – the color will aid relaxation and will team beautifully with natural materials and off-white linen.'
Below, we've rounded up four of our favorite ways to decorate with this cozy pink paint to give you some ideas for your own home. From kitchens to powder rooms, this is a much-loved shade for many spaces.
As Patrick suggests, team Sulking Room Pink with Studio Green, an intense dark green to add depth to your scheme.
1. Create a cozy kitchen scheme
If you want to step away from the neutral colors we so often see in kitchen color ideas, Sulking Room Pink makes a great choice. Not too colorful, this hue will add depth and warmth to the heart of the home while maintaining an overall timeless and sophisticated look.
If you do decide to use this paint color, use it across either the walls with a more neutral color on the cabinets, or alternatively, use it on kitchen cabinets while the walls stick to a neutral hue.
'For something unexpected, use on kitchen cabinetry – this would be a chic option with either marble or timber kitchen countertops and walls painted in Stirabout, which will pick up some of the pinks for a soft and warming look,' Patrick explains.
Lean into a lighter look by pairing Sulking Room Pink with Stirabout, a warming neutral.
2. Use this pink paint in small rooms
While Sulking Room Pink works in many spaces, there's a lot of appeal for this shade in small rooms. From powder rooms to laundry rooms, Sulking Room Pink adds a hit of color, a great way to transition these hardworking rooms to exciting spaces.
'Sulking room pink is my favorite powder room color – everyone looks good against it and it’s just gorgeous,' adds designer Kathryn Murphy, founder of Kathryn Murphy Interiors.
'Because of its depth, it works best in smaller spaces – think bathrooms, hallways, or entryways,' adds designer Thea Bloch-Neal of Curated by Thea. 'Small areas are perfect for embracing bold, unexpected colors without overwhelming a room. This color is fun to pair with a pop of red or the brown tones we are seeing a lot of.'
3. Color drench for a cohesive look
Color drenching is one of the most on-trend ways to decorate with paint right now, so why not try this out with Sulking Room Pink? As seen in this cozy living room, Sulking Room Pink used across the walls, ceiling, and any trim details is the best way to create a cohesive look that avoids wall color combinations.
'We love Sulking Room Pink by Farrow & Ball – it has a moody yet sophisticated charm that can instantly elevate a space,' says designer Cheryl Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors. 'While some may be hesitant to use such a bold color, it offers a richness that feels both timeless and elegant.'
4. Pair it with a patterned wallcovering
If you're looking for a way to add more interest when decorating with Sulking Room Pink, consider incorporating wallpaper ideas into your scheme.
'One of our favorite ways to use Sulking Room Pink is to pair it with a statement wallcovering or natural stone that carries subtle pink undertones,' says Cheryl Clendenon. 'This helps the color feel purposeful and integrated into the overall design, making it a striking, cohesive feature that adds depth and personality to a space.'
Of course, this decorating idea would work well in a whole range of spaces, but designer Rebecca Bobroff of Rebecca Bobroff Design recommends it for laundry rooms. 'I'd love to use this warm, earthy rose on laundry room cabinetry, paired with a small-scale floral wallpaper throughout the space. The paint shade has significant depth and sophistication, while still being inviting and cheery – a winning combination for making laundry more enjoyable.'
There are endless ways to decorate with this cozy, moody paint color. Consider refreshing your home this fall with this shade and you'll soon see how versatile it is, whether in the kitchen or bedroom.
