Color Me Inspired, But Confused… Why Are There So Many Colors of the Year?

Whether you’re a trend setter, a traditionalist, or some combination of both, there’s a Color of the Year waiting for you.

If you’ve been house-hunting this spring, you’ve likely walked through a number of perfectly-staged listings designed to make you fall in love with the layout and start mentally placing your own furniture in the space. You may have noticed that the paint scheme was light, bright, and non-instrustive, a blank canvas on which to imagine your own decor taking shape. And while minimalism might help sell a property, it’s not always the favorite approach to making a home.

When the final closing docs have been signed and you’re prepping to move into your lovely new place, it’s the perfect time to line up painting pros and take the first steps toward putting your personality on full display. But where to start for inspiration?

Luckily, there is no shortage of color wheels to take for a spin, and every major paint company has their own version of “what’s in” for discerning decorators. Starting in December and rolling out into the New Year, trendsetters and marketers start promoting their version of “THE” color and related hues that they feel capture the vibe, attitude, and zeitgeist of the day.

While recent design trends have leaned toward “safe” neutrals with a pop of color here or there, the current mood of paint designers clearly seems to be … “moody.” Cool whites, blues, grays, and beiges are giving way to rich tones of brown, plum, deep greens, and burgundy which invite feelings of comfort, coziness, calm, and luxury.

Coastal Grandma, meet the Sumptuous Sophisticate.

Let’s take a look at what’s trending so far in 2025 and how they each came to be named “Color of the Year.”

Pantone is a name synonymous with color and since its founding in 1963 has touted itself as a “color communication system,” with their color-coding systems reigning as the standard across apparel, decor, and accessories. Pantone announced the first “Color of the Year” in 1999, anointing Cerulean as the color to watch. (Fans of The Devil Wears Prada know this color all too well.)

For 2025, Pantone dived deep into indulgence with Mocha Mousse, “a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures … with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.” From there, users are encouraged to explore five complementary palettes – ranging from “Relaxed Elegance” to “Floral Pathways” – for a balanced feeling throughout the home.

Mocha Mousse by Pantone (Photos courtesy of Pantone)

Given the influence that Pantone wields throughout the design world, it’s not surprising to see shades similar to Mocha Mousse also being showcased.

Instead of picking one color, Sherwin-Williams, the nation’s largest paint supplier, announced their first-ever “Color Capsule” with a whopping nine colors meant to work in harmony. Grounded, Sunbleached, Chartreuse, Bosc Pear, White Snow, Rain Cloud, Clove, Malabar, and Mauve Finery run the gamut from dark brown to bright white, giving the palette flexibility for any style of home.

“There was a vintage vibe that we kept leaning towards when we were looking at the palette,” Emily Katz shared on the Sherwin-Williams’ blog, Stir. “Nostalgia is having a big impact on design. People are craving those authentic pieces of the past in their homes, so this palette pulled influences from those iconic design styles.”

Grounded by Sherwin-Williams (Photo courtesy of Sherwin-Williams)

Not to be outdone in the curated mood department, Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate continues the trend of soft, deep coloring that blends a delicate mix of heather plum and velvety brown to provide “a smooth familiarity to any design.” Benjamin Moore’s experts said this “restorative color” was chosen out of a “need for balance and reassurance.”

“It reflects the sentiment that’s in the air and that yearning for comfort and having a color that’s really going to surround you in a beautiful way,” explained Andrea Magno, Director of Marketing and Design for Benjamin Moore.

Cinnamon Slate by Benjamin Moore (Photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore)

House Beautiful and Martha Stewart both offer a round-up of all the Colors of the Year, all showcasing similar slates of muted, earthy, and darkly rich tones. Meanwhile, our friends at The Scout Guide reached out to their favorite local designers to get their take on what they hope to see in their favorite places (note: it’s not as dark as the national picks.)

No matter your own personal style – whether it’s firmly set or still being discovered – there’s a perfect palette out there to help you put it on display. And if you don’t see what you like in 2025’s offerings, just wait for the next class of Colors of the Year!

Your Corcoran McEnearney agent can recommend the right design, decor, and home service professionals to help you get settled into your next abode. Reach out to your Trusted Advisor today to get started.