There’s no denying that pink was the a shade of the 2010s. From rose gold iPhones to Drake and Harry Styles album covers, and even popular drinks of the time (rosé, anyone?) — soft, dusty shades of pink were everywhere. One shade in particular rose above the rest: a muted, peachy, salmon shade of pink that eventually became known as millennial pink.

In the decade since the hue reached its peak in popularity, one thing has become clear—millennial pink isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It may no longer be on every runway and interior, but the fashion and design industry still favors this timeless shade.

What is Millennial Pink?

Millennial pink is a soft, muted shade of pink with warm undertones. Often described as salmon, dusty rose, pale pink and soft pink. Officially, it has hex code #F3CFC6, with RGB values ​​of 243, 207 and 198.

It is made of almost equal parts magenta and yellow. Millennial pink was chosen as Pantone Color of the Year 2016 (13-1520 ‘Rose Quartz’), along with the cool-toned mauve 15-3919 ‘Serenity.’

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decorating ideas, design tips and more!

The history of Millennial Pink

The color of the decade was officially coined in 2016 by fashion journalist Véronique Hyland as ‘Millennium Pink’. article for The Cuta tribute to the generation that adored him the most. Additionally, it was also known as ‘Tumblr pink’ for a while due to the number of times the shade was uploaded, shared and reposted on the platform.

The collective love of millennial pink signaled the beginning of the maximalism movement – ​​the first steps away from the stark white and neutral minimalism we saw in the early 2000s, especially in interior design.

However, it also signaled a cultural shift among millennials raised to shun the color pink. Pink was associated with girlishness, vanity and weakness in a time when femininity was not as accepted as it is today. Millennial pink offered a soft, not neutral, neutral option that was in stark contrast to the Barbie and bubblegum options the world was used to.

“Millennial pink isn’t just trendy,” says Katie Gutierrez, chief interior designer Rez Design. “It resonated. It reflected a collective longing for something softer, more inclusive, more human.”

Maybe that’s why this timeless shade of pink is still popular today. In interiors, it can act as an accent color or a versatile neutral in various decorating styles. Additionally, it is widely considered a more gender-neutral shade than the stereotypical bright magenta.

However, today pink is accepted in interiors of all kinds, not only in children’s and children’s rooms.

“Trends fade, but Millennial Pink has staying power,” says Gutierrez. “It’s not ‘hot’ anymore, and that’s what makes it timeless.”

How to decorate Millennial Pink

So how can you embrace this soft, timeless shade in your home decor?

Start by using it as an accent color in your space, says Gutierrez. This will give you a taste of shade without too much diving. It’s easy to love the idea of ​​a color, but seeing it in your space in real time is a different ball game—a throw pillow here, a vase there.

Gutierrez recommends pairing millennial pink with neutrals like beige and taupe to complement the shade’s warm undertones and let it shine.

Gutierrez adds that textured pieces are another great way to bring this pink shade into your home. Think velvet accent chairs, frosted ceramics and worn linen sheets or curtains.

“Millennial pink loves texture—it keeps color grounded, tactile, and anything but precious,” she says.

This soft pink also works well with moodier shades like navy blue, emerald green, warm gray and even black. These pairings give millennial pink an edgier, more modern feel. It can also be used as a soft neutral against these bolder tones.

As for finishes that pair well with millennial pink, Gutierrez says brass, copper and rose gold are natural allies for the hue. Black lamps can also work well in modern spaces or high-contrast designs.

If you love color and are willing to go all out, why not try soaking colors? For this look, it’s best to stick to more muted shades so you don’t flood your space with vibrant color, which can make rooms feel overwhelming and visually cluttered.