In today’s culture, colors are often associated with gender — pink is linked to girls, gentleness, and femininity, while blue is linked to boys, strength, and masculinity. However, these color stereotypes developed over time, and their history is much more complex and diverse than it appears at first glance.
For some people, today pink is associated with gentleness and femininity, while blue represents masculinity. However, this was not always the case. These color codes are relatively new in history, and at one point, their meanings were actually reversed. Let’s explore how this tradition developed and what existed before it.
Historical Perspective: The Origins of Gendered Color Associations
Until the 19th century, clothing for infants was primarily white, regardless of gender. White fabric was practically the best option because it was easy to wash and could withstand frequent cleaning. During that period, both boys and girls wore the same type of clothing—long gowns. This tradition continued and remained widespread until gender-specific color assignments emerged.
In the early 20th century in Europe and America, gendered color associations were actually opposite to today’s norms: pink was considered more “masculine” and energetic because it was a lighter version of red, a color associated with courage and warfare.
Blue, on the other hand, symbolized calmness and purity, reflecting qualities like caution and gentleness traditionally associated with women, and was often linked to the symbolism of the Virgin Mary.
Recommendations for using colors in children’s clothing appeared in early 20th-century Europe and America. At that time, pink was deemed more suitable for boys, while blue was considered appropriate for girls.
This approach was explained by the origins of the colors: pink derived from red, the color of courage and war, while blue was associated with gentleness and purity, representing the Virgin Mary.
When and Why Did the Change Happen?
By the mid-20th century, color associations began to shift. Researchers link this to marketing strategies by children's clothing manufacturers. In the 1940s, the idea that "pink is for girls, blue is for boys" was actively promoted in the U.S. This helped drive sales, as clothing and accessories became "genderspecific."
How are colors viewed today?
In the 21st century, these gender-based color distinctions are becoming less rigid. It is now increasingly common to see boys in pink and girls in blue. Fashion brands are embracing gender-neutral collections, and psychologists and sociologists emphasize that color stereotypes have no scientific basis.
The Role of Marketing in Gendered Color Assignment
In the 1940s, especially in the United States, gendered color associations became firmly established, largely due to marketing strategies employed by manufacturers of children’s clothing and toys. Companies deliberately categorized products by gender, which helped boost sales. As a result, pink officially became associated with girls, while blue became associated with boys.
This strategy also reinforced social stereotypes, the effects of which are still evident today in various areas of life, including interior design.
Interior Design and Gendered Meanings of Colors Today
In contemporary interiors, gendered color frameworks are increasingly breaking down, and their use has become more flexible and diverse. Pink is often used as a vibrant, energetic, and lively element in living rooms, office spaces, and communal areas where creating a positive atmosphere is desired.
Blue, with its qualities of calmness and harmony, is ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, or workspaces—areas where relaxation and focus are important.
In children’s rooms, color choices tend to lean more toward gender-neutral, natural tones—beige, cream, green, and yellow. These colors support a child’s free development, foster creative thinking, and help overcome stereotypes.
The Meaning of Color in Interior Design — Future Perspectives
Colors in interior design are no longer merely carriers of gender markers. They are a reliable means through which a space maintains its mood and evokes emotions. In contemporary design, color should be chosen not according to gender, but based on the function of the room and the individual preferences of the user.
Therefore, freedom and innovation in color use are especially important in interior design, as colors act as the language of a space—they reinforce style, enhance mood, and express personal identity.
Conclusion:
Gendered color associations are cultural constructs that change over time and according to societal needs. Considering historical precedents, it is important that colors in interior design are used freely and individually, rather than based on outdated stereotypes treated as truths.