Soft Pink vs Hot Pink vs Fuchsia – Shades Of Pink Explained

This article will discuss the colors soft pink, hot pink, and fuchsia including a side-by-side comparison. If you are considering a switch to one of these colors, the information here will help you decide which one is best for you.

Soft Pink vs Hot Pink vs Fuchsia Paint Colors

Pink is a color with an interesting history. While often associated with little girl toys, blankets, and clothing, there was a point in history when girls and women were to wear blues and greens.

The calming color of sea and sky were considered female, and the red, pink, and orange of the sun were reserved for boys.

Definitions

Hex Code

The attributed hex codes for each color is a hexadecimal method of determining the combination of red, blue and green that goes into creating a color.

The important thing about a hex code is that it is shorter; being able to lose the three digits of each of the RGB code allows coders and designers to more efficiently note which colors they want to be included in their web pages and layouts.

RGB Code

While the use of hex codes really didn’t blossom until it was necessary to create efficient HTML coding, the RGB scale stretches back into the early 1900s and was popular in coloring in print media, from cartoons to advertisements.

When considering paint colors vs. digitally produced colors, it’s important to remember that the primary paint colors are red, blue, and yellow. In the light spectrum, you’re working with red, green, and blue.

When you combine all the colors in paint, you get black. If you split white light in a prism, you will get all the colors broken out.

LRV

LRV, or Light Reflectance Value, is a measurement that indicates the amount of light a paint color reflects. It is expressed as a percentage, ranging from 0% (absolute black, which absorbs all light) to 100% (absolute white, which reflects all light).

Soft Pink

Soft pink is a well-balanced color and the easiest in this list to coordinate with. Because this shade has the highest percentage of green, it will be less likely to contrast with other shades in your home.

For example, you can contrast soft pink with shades of lime green for a pop of color, but you can also pair it with peach, rust, or burgundy on the red spectrum.

This color pairs beautifully with blue, from cadet to teal to palest aqua. Soft pink is not a fighter, but it’s not really a foil shade either.

If you plan to use this in your décor, you can stretch past the world of little girl bedrooms and put it in a bath or even as an accent wall in another room.

This soothing shade could be a wonderful way to warm up a craft space as well.

Consider also using this shade in the fabrics of your home. Soft pink could be a lovely color to feature in a pattern on a side chair, a throw or a soft, fuzzy pillow in a family room.

Unlike the other shades in this listing that demand attention, soft pink will fade into the background. Of course, you can easily use this shade to great effect with black or gray as well.

RGB: 255, 184, 191
HEX: #FFB8BF

Rose Pink (SW 9396) by Sherwin-Williams

Rose Pink (SW 9396) by Sherwin-Williams is a soft, warm pink with a gentle and inviting presence. This color evokes feelings of warmth, comfort, and romance, making it an excellent choice for creating cozy and cheerful spaces.

Best Uses:

1. Bedrooms: Rose Pink is perfect for bedrooms, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere. It works well for both adult and children’s bedrooms, adding a touch of softness and comfort.
2. Living Rooms: This color can add warmth and a welcoming feel to living rooms, making the space feel cozy and inviting.
3. Nurseries and Kids’ Rooms: Rose Pink is a popular choice for nurseries and children’s rooms, offering a gentle and nurturing environment.
4. Bathrooms: It can create a soft, spa-like ambiance in bathrooms, especially when paired with white or light-colored fixtures and accents.
5. Accent Walls: Use Rose Pink on accent walls to add a pop of color without overwhelming the space. It works well with neutral or complementary tones.
6. Dining Rooms: Rose Pink can bring a touch of elegance and warmth to dining rooms, making the space feel more intimate and inviting.

Colors that Complement Rose Pink:

1. Whites and Off-Whites:
   • Pure White (SW 7005): A crisp, clean white that provides a fresh and bright contrast.
   • Alabaster (SW 7008): A warm, soft white that pairs beautifully with Rose Pink, enhancing its warmth.
   • Snowbound (SW 7004): A cool, bright white that offers a subtle and clean contrast.
2. Neutrals:
   • Agreeable Gray (SW 7029): A soft, warm gray that balances the warmth of Rose Pink.
   • Accessible Beige (SW 7036): A light beige that complements Rose Pink’s warm undertones.
   • Repose Gray (SW 7015): A neutral gray that provides a sophisticated and balanced look.
3. Blues and Greens:
   • Rainwashed (SW 6211): A soft, muted blue-green that offers a refreshing and complementary palette.
   • Sea Salt (SW 6204): A light, calming green that pairs well with Rose Pink’s warm tones.
   • Misty (SW 6232): A light blue-gray that adds a serene and gentle contrast.
4. Warm Tones:
   • Nomadic Desert (SW 6107): A warm, earthy beige that harmonizes with the softness of Rose Pink.
   • Ballet White (SW 6058): A warm, off-white that enhances the warmth of Rose Pink.
   • Nantucket Dune (SW 7527): A warm, sandy beige that provides a natural and balanced palette.
5. Metallic Accents:
   • Brushed Gold or Brass: Adds a touch of elegance and warmth.
   • Rose Gold: Enhances the pink tones and adds a luxurious feel.
   • Matte Black: Creates a modern and striking contrast.

Rose Pink (SW 9396) by Sherwin-Williams is a versatile and inviting color that can add warmth, comfort, and a touch of romance to various spaces. It pairs beautifully with both neutral and complementary tones, allowing for a balanced and harmonious design.

Hex code: #EECBCD

LRV: 65

Get a peel and stick paint sample of Rose pink (SW 9396) here.

Hot Pink

Hot pink pulls the eye and draws attention to itself. In nature, it’s the red flowers that draw hummingbirds.

Because of the strong concentration of red and blue and the very low level of green in this shade, make sure you use this color on things that you want to draw attention to.

Minimalists may struggle to find any way to put this shade to use, but those who love color can put it to work boosting other shades.

For example, your moss green side chair may start to appear dowdy during the winter months when there’s not enough yellow in the daylight to bring it forward.

Look for a pillow or throw that features just a bit of hot pink to pop the yellow tones in that luxurious green. If you’ve been thinking that the chair needed a cleaning, it doesn’t.

It could just need a bit of hot pink to wake it up.

Because hot pink contains so much red, even coordinating shades will get a bit combative. If you have a number of children’s books or games on a shelf that can look tired or cluttered, pull them out and put up a bit of hot pink at the back of the bookshelf.

Painting with hot pink can be a big commitment and if it turns out you really don’t like it, covering it can take a lot of work.

To keep things simple, go to the fabric store and warm up the hot glue gun.

Cut a piece of cardboard that will fit snugly at the back of the shelf. Purchase a piece of hot pink fabric just big enough to wrap around the cardboard and glue it in place around the back of the cardboard.

Push it in place and let compression hold it. This is an ideal way to test-drive new colors in a space before you add a paint color that could be too bold.

It’s also a great trick in children’s rooms.

RGB: 227,28,121
HEX: #E31C79

Fuchsia

Fuchsia is the boldest color in this listing. The very low level of green means that this color will stand out and is ready to go to battle, or at least serve as a contrast, against most other colors in your space.

Let it take center stage. Fuchsia always draws the eye.

This color comes from the fuchsia plant.

To use it effectively, it’s a good idea to go back to the natural setting of this plant.

Fuchsias love morning light, but too much sun will damage them. The leaves of the fuchsia plant are a sturdy, deep green but don’t offer a lot of visual variety.

To use fuchsia effectively, put it to work in rooms in your home that don’t get a lot of light and need brightening. If you have a reading nook that looks great while the lamp is on but sort of tired in the dark, add a pillow with touches of fuchsia in the pattern.

Another fun decorating option with strong colors like fuchsia is to stack accents in this shade.

For example, your reading nook could contain a cozy gray wing-back chair, a cherry side table, and a brass lamp.

If you don’t want a cover on top of the table, add a small decorative box with fuchsia accents to hold your coasters. On your writing desk, use a fuchsia mug to hold pens and pencils.

This bold color may be a bit much for an accent wall, but in small bursts of color it will stand out effectively and draw out the character and color of your more sedate pieces.

RGB: 217,2,125
HEX: #D9027D

Pink tones do not have to be soft, girly, or any other passive adjective. In nature, it’s often the bold pink flowers that draw the pollinators.

Strong pinks don’t need a lot of real estate in your home to catch the eye, and soft pinks can lighten up a room filled with heavy, low furniture.

If you find bold pinks to be too visibly harsh, look for plush textures to take the edge off.

Forward Fuchsia (SW 6842) by Sherwin-Williams

Forward Fuchsia (SW 6842) by Sherwin-Williams is a vibrant, bold pink with a strikingly rich and energetic hue. This color is known for its lively and dynamic presence, making it an excellent choice for adding a pop of color and personality to various spaces.

Best Uses:

1. Accent Walls: Forward Fuchsia works well as an accent wall, providing a bold statement and a burst of color in living rooms, bedrooms, or dining areas.
2. Kids’ Rooms and Playrooms: The energetic and playful nature of Forward Fuchsia makes it a great choice for children’s rooms or playrooms, creating a fun and stimulating environment.
3. Entryways: Using Forward Fuchsia in an entryway can make a dramatic first impression, setting a vibrant tone for the rest of the home.
4. Home Offices: This color can bring a sense of creativity and energy to home offices, making the workspace more engaging and inspiring.
5. Fashion and Design Spaces: Forward Fuchsia is ideal for fashion studios, design rooms, or any space where a lively and dynamic color is desired.
6. Accessories and Decor: Consider using Forward Fuchsia in accessories, such as throw pillows, rugs, or artwork, to add a splash of color without overwhelming the room.

Colors that Complement Forward Fuchsia:

1. Whites and Off-Whites:
   • Pure White (SW 7005): A crisp, clean white that provides a fresh and bright contrast.
   • Alabaster (SW 7008): A warm white that balances the boldness of Forward Fuchsia with a softer touch.
   • Snowbound (SW 7004): A cool white that offers a subtle and clean contrast.
2. Neutrals:
   • Repose Gray (SW 7015): A light gray that provides a sophisticated backdrop and balances the intensity of Forward Fuchsia.
   • Agreeable Gray (SW 7029): A warm, neutral gray that complements the bold pink tone without competing.
   • Accessible Beige (SW 7036): A light beige that offers a harmonious contrast and enhances the vibrant color.
3. Blues and Greens:
   • Sea Salt (SW 6204): A soft, calming green that contrasts beautifully with Forward Fuchsia, adding balance and tranquility.
   • Rainwashed (SW 6211): A muted blue-green that pairs well, providing a refreshing and complementary palette.
   • Misty (SW 6232): A light blue-gray that adds a serene contrast to the boldness of Forward Fuchsia.
4. Warm Tones:
   • Nantucket Dune (SW 7527): A warm, sandy beige that harmonizes with the vibrancy of Forward Fuchsia.
   • Nomadic Desert (SW 6107): An earthy beige that provides a natural and balanced contrast.
5. Metallic Accents:
   • Gold or Brass: Adds a touch of luxury and elegance that enhances the vibrancy of Forward Fuchsia.
   • Rose Gold: Complements the pink tones and adds a sophisticated sheen.
   • Silver: Provides a modern and sleek contrast, enhancing the boldness of the color.

Forward Fuchsia (SW 6842) by Sherwin-Williams is a vibrant and energetic color that can bring a lively and dynamic touch to various spaces. It pairs well with both neutral and complementary tones, allowing for a balanced and engaging design.

Hex Code: #92345b

LRV: 9

Get a peel and stick paint sample of Forward Fuchsia (SW 6842) here.

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