Whether you’re looking to create a calming sanctuary or add a touch of drama, you’ll find something to like in the 2025 colours of the year, carefully chosen by top paint companies.
Meant to capture the current design trends and inspire homeowners to refresh their living spaces, this year’s selections are a diverse palette, from earthy neutrals to statement colours.
Let’s explore the colours already creating a buzz and discover how to bring them into your home.
Pantone Colour of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse
The most natural place to start is with Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2025. Though not technically a paint colour, it does have major influence over the upcoming year of design trends for both consumers and companies alike.
“Selected through a combination of global research and analysis, the colour highlights how what is taking place in our global culture is expressed and reflected through the language of colour,” says Laurie Pessman, VP of Pantone Colour Institute™.
This year’s colour is Mocha Mousse, which Pantone describes as “a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.”
“The whole idea of little treat culture [is about asking] how do we fill ourselves back up and nourish ourselves?” Pressman says. “[It’s] about elevating the every day, taking joy in those moments, these simple pleasures, whether they’re sweet treats or nature walks, that reach further into our desire for comfort. The world is still feeling very complex and we still want to have that nurturing in order for us to face that world, we need to still feel nourished. [Mocha Mousse is about] embracing that whole idea of caring and sharing and community and collaboration a step further.”
Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Colour Institute™ and Director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Technology, is responsible for choosing the Colour of the Year, and joined episode 46 of the CREA REAL TIME podcast in January 2024 to explain the evolution of the annual reveal.
“One of the reasons that I started to do the Colour of the Year for Pantone® was because we were getting calls from people, particularly at the end of the ’90s,” she explained. “People were emailing or calling Pantone® and asking, ‘What’s the colour of the new millennium?’ We understood that we needed to come up with the colour to represent that. They were interested in that.”
Benjamin Moore Colour of the Year: Cinnamon Slate
As interiors trend toward nuanced colour stories, Benjamin Moore introduces Cinnamon Slate, a sophisticated blend of heathered plum and velvety brown. This carefully crafted hue brings both depth and accessibility to living spaces.
“As the use of more saturated colour in design has increased in recent years, we are seeing a growing interest in more nuanced colours, whose undertones add intricacy and dimension,” said Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore’s Director of Colour Marketing & Design in their official press release. “Cinnamon Slate is an inviting hue that offers enduring style and modern sensibility. Its depth and richness bring an air of approachability and sense of comfort throughout the home, making it a new favourite for years to come.”
The shade is especially beautiful in open-concept homes, where its subtle complexity creates seamless transitions between spaces. Cinnamon Slate’s warm sophistication makes it a versatile choice that can elevate any interior, from cozy living rooms to elegant home offices. Primary bedrooms can be transformed into sanctuaries, while studies and libraries become a refined backdrop for both work and relaxation.
Cinnamon Slate also adapts to small-scale projects around the home—breathing new life into bookshelves and storage pieces and adding warmth to kitchen islands and window seats. Stair risers painted in this rich hue create an eye-catching design element and bathroom vanities take on an unexpected pop of colour.
Dunn-Edwards Paints Colour of the Year: Caramelized
There’s something uniquely beautiful about this neutral terracotta brown: it alludes to the warmth of sun-warmed clay and offers a fresh perspective on the neutral palette. Its remarkable adaptability makes it suitable for both well-lit and dark areas, presenting a golden, luminous appearance in brighter rooms and providing warm intimacy in dimmer spaces.
“In the current fast-paced, high-tech age, we find ourselves drawn to more saturated and timeless colours to create personal spaces that feel welcoming, stylish, and grounded,” said Lauren Hoferkamp, Lead Colour Expert at Dunn-Edwards, in their press release. “Caramelized emerged as a clear representation of this new year—the effortlessly versatile hue pairs well with various styles, from vintage-inspired interiors to contemporary spaces.”
In living rooms, Caramelized creates an inviting atmosphere that encourages relaxation and connection. The colour takes on a modern edge when paired with navy or charcoal accents, while combining it with creams and natural woods results in a timeless, organic feel. The shade proves particularly effective in studies and libraries, where its depth provides the perfect backdrop for focused activities. It can also bring warmth to furniture pieces like vintage dressers and study desks.
Behr Colour of the Year: Rumors
This captivating ruby red arrives at a moment when Canadians are ready to embrace dramatic colour choices. Research from Behr revealed 69% of Canadians would consider painting a room or wall red, with accent walls, bedrooms, and front doors topping their project lists.
“We’re seeing people embrace colour like never before,” said Erika Woelfel, Vice President of Colour and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company, in their press release. “Rumors is a modern take on the timeless red that creates an energetic appeal to make a lasting statement in a stunning way.”
The versatility of Rumors shines through in multiple applications. In dining rooms, it creates an intimate atmosphere perfect for gathering with friends and family. A colour-drenched home office establishes a focused environment while adding sophisticated flair. For those seeking a smaller project, the shade transforms a fireplace surround into a striking focal point against neutral walls.
Rumors particularly excels in entryways, whether applied to a front door for enhanced curb appeal or featured on an accent piece to create an immediate welcoming impression. For a harmonious design, pair Rumors with greige, tan, or grey tones, and consider incorporating metallic accents in gold or oil-rubbed bronze for added glam.
Glidden Colour of the Year: Purple Basil
This high-impact purple challenges conventional colour choices, encouraging bold expression in home design.
“So many people start their colour selection journey looking at bold hues, but ultimately settle for a more expected or muted colour,” said Ashley McCollum, PPG Colour Expert for the Glidden brand in a recent press release. “For 2025, purple isn’t just permitted, it is encouraged.”
Purple Basil creates striking results in various applications. Paint a bathroom vanity and pair it with mixed metallic hardware for a luxury spa atmosphere. For dramatic impact, consider colour drenching—applying Purple Basil to walls, ceilings, and trim in varying sheens can highlight architectural features while disguising less desirable elements.
The colour brings distinction to exterior features as well. Use it on shutters, window boxes, or mailboxes to liven an otherwise neutral facade, or apply it to architectural trim on vintage homes as a modern nod to history. Even small additions like painted plant stands or mirror frames make bold statements.
Graham & Brown Colour of the Year: Elderton
Drawing inspiration from the Elder Tree, this rich brown brings natural sophistication to interiors.
“Elderton has a huge amount of depth, reconnecting us with nature and enhancing our relation to the earth,” said Paula Taylor, Head Stylist and Trend Specialist at Graham & Brown.
The shade is remarkably versatile across different design styles.
“Elderton is a chameleon colour that can be sophisticated yet cozy depending on the mood of the space it is in,” Taylor said in their press release. “It will add drama to contemporary colours by creating a theatrical backdrop, allowing them to shine through.”
Door frames and wainscoting take on new character, while decorative shelving becomes an instant focal point. Elderton can give vintage furniture a timeless appeal, transforming everything from side tables to hutches and cabinets.
For maximum impact, try colour drenching an entire room in Elderton to create an enveloping atmosphere. The shade partners effortlessly with nature-inspired hues from leafy-inspired green to terracotta, making it ideal for spaces that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
With its natural sophistication and adaptability, Elderton offers a compelling option for those seeking to ground their interiors with a touch of timeless elegance.
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Colour of the Year: Quietude
In a palette dominated by bold choices, Quietude offers a refreshing sense of serenity through its soft sage-green composition with whispers of blue. This thoughtfully developed shade brings tranquility to both interiors and exteriors.
“The ‘Naturally Refined’ Colour Collection embraces the desire for simplicity and slower living,” said Ashley Banbury, Colour Marketing Manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams in a recent press release. “Quietude sets the stage for a quiet space to promote relaxation.”
The versatile shade transforms bathrooms into personal spa retreats and brings peaceful energy to bedrooms. In kitchens, Quietude applied to cabinetry creates an unexpected yet timeless look. Smaller projects like picture frames or plant stands become eye-catching additions to any room. The colour pairs beautifully with the other shades in the Naturally Refined collection, including Convivial Yellow for subtle contrast or Snowbound for a clean, fresh appearance.
Quietude’s enduring appeal makes it a versatile choice for those seeking to retreat to a tranquil, restorative environment.
Sherwin-Williams Colour Capsule of the Year
To mark 15 years of colour forecasting, Sherwin-Williams is taking an innovative approach with a curated collection of nine complementary colours. “It’s very special to commemorate our 15th Colour of the Year anniversary by expanding to an entire capsule that is a modern, fresh take on colour,” said Sue Wadden, Director of Colour Marketing at Sherwin-Williams.
The collection includes standout shades like Grounded, a perfectly balanced brown that can refresh side chairs or kitchen cabinets in an earthy neutral. Chartreuse brings unexpected vibrancy to pantry doors or desk accessories, while Rain Cloud offers a muted, smoky blue perfect for creating cozy, intimate atmospheres. The versatile White Snow brightens mudroom benches and trim work.
For those seeking design inspiration, Wadden suggests several winning combinations: “If looking to create a sophisticated monochromatic look, pair Sunbleached, Malabar and a small dose of Clove for contrast and depth. If feeling a bit retro, pair Grounded with Chartreuse, Bosc Pear and Rain Cloud.”
This expertly curated capsule provides endless opportunities to craft personalized colour stories that celebrate timeless design.
What colour stands out to you?
This year’s “Colours of the Year” offer a spectrum of possibilities for homeowners looking to refresh their living spaces. While diverse in their individual expressions, these colours share a common thread – they encourage homeowners to embrace their individuality and create spaces that feel both personal and stylish.
Whether you’re drawn to the warmth of Cinnamon Slate, the boldness of Rumors, or the serenity of Quietude, there’s a shade to inspire your next project.
Embrace the opportunity to express your personal style and create a home that truly reflects your unique taste! And check out our Pinterest board below for more inspiration.
