2025's Hottest Paint Colors

Earthy Elegance: The Reign of Grounded Neutrals

In 2025, a desire for comfort and connection to the natural world is driving the popularity of earthy neutrals. These colors offer a sense of calm and stability, creating serene and inviting spaces. Think of warm, enveloping shades that evoke the feeling of soil, wood, and stone. These aren't your stark, cold grays of the past; instead, they're nuanced and inviting, with subtle undertones that add depth and complexity.

• Mocha Mousse: Pantone's Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse (Pantone 17-1230), is a medium-shade brown that exudes sophistication and comfort. It's a versatile neutral that pairs well with both bold and subtle color schemes. ¹⁹
• Cinnamon Slate: Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year, Cinnamon Slate (2113-40), is a delicate blend of heathered plum and velvety brown. ²⁷ This color offers a smooth, familiar feel to any design, transitioning gracefully from room to room.
• Oxford Brown: Pittsburgh Paints Co. has chosen Oxford Brown as their 2025 stain color of the year. ¹⁹ This earthy stain features tones like amber and russet for a rustic yet contemporary touch, perfect for outdoor spaces.

Practical Application:

• Living Rooms: Use earthy neutrals on the walls to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Incorporate natural textures like wood and stone to enhance the connection to nature.
• Bedrooms: Opt for lighter shades of beige or cream to create a relaxing and serene retreat. Accessorize with soft textiles and natural elements to enhance the calming effect.
• Kitchens: Use brown tones on cabinetry or a kitchen island to ground the space. Pair with lighter countertops and backsplashes to create a balanced and sophisticated look.

Jewel Tones: Adding Depth and Luxury

For those seeking a touch of drama and sophistication, jewel tones are making a strong comeback in 2025. These rich, saturated colors evoke a sense of luxury and opulence, adding depth and personality to any room. Jewel tones work exceptionally well as accents or focal points, creating a dramatic flair that is both eye-catching and elegant.

• Purple Basil: Glidden's Color of the Year, Purple Basil, is a rich, approachable, and welcoming shade of violet. ¹⁹ This hue can be easily used in any style of home, signaling a shift towards more color and fewer neutrals.
• Sparkling Emerald: A deep, sparkling emerald hue, such as Sherwin-Williams' Country Squire, is perfect for adding a punch of color. ²⁶ Its blue undertones make it both bold and sophisticated, suitable for living rooms, bedrooms, and even kitchen cabinets.
• Rumors: BEHR's Rumors is a dynamic deep ruby red that confidently adds warmth and rich allure to interior spaces. ²¹

Practical Application:

• Accent Walls: Use jewel tones on an accent wall to create a focal point in a living room or bedroom. Pair with neutral furniture and metallic accents to enhance their richness.
• Upholstery: Incorporate jewel-toned fabrics on sofas, chairs, or throw pillows to add a touch of luxury to your space.
• Accessories: Use jewel-toned accessories like vases, artwork, or rugs to add pops of color and personality to a room.

Nature-Inspired Greens: Bringing the Outdoors In

As a growing emphasis on well-being and sustainability continues, nature-inspired greens are becoming increasingly popular. These colors evoke a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors, creating calming and refreshing spaces. From deep forest greens to soft sage hues, there's a green for every style and preference.

• Boreal: A deep green-gray from BEHR, Boreal mirrors the lush forest evergreens under the darkening evening sky. ²¹ This contemplative shade combines harmoniously with other natural materials and colors.
• Verdant Green: Fresh hues like verdant green, such as Sherwin-Williams' Dill, are being embraced for their sweet and clean feel. ²⁶
• Rosepine: A deep forest green that pairs beautifully with Benjamin Moore's Cinnamon Slate, creating a sophisticated and nature-inspired palette. ¹⁶

Practical Application:

• Home Offices: Incorporate green into your home office to enhance creativity and promote a sense of calm.
• Bathrooms: Use soft greens to create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom. Pair with natural stone and wood accents to enhance the connection to nature.
• Kitchens: Green cabinets are a bold and stylish choice for kitchens. Pair with white countertops and backsplashes to create a fresh and modern look.

Optimistic Yellows and Oranges: Infusing Energy and Positivity

To counteract the uncertainty of the world, optimistic yellows and oranges are emerging as popular choices for infusing energy and positivity into interior spaces. These colors evoke feelings of joy, warmth, and creativity, making them perfect for spaces where you want to feel uplifted and inspired.

• Convivial Yellow: From HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams' 2025 Color Collection of the Year, adds a cheerful and welcoming touch to any room. ²²
• Honeyed Yellow: Yellow tones ranging from mustard to honey will be big in 2025, offering a surprising, colorful twist. ²⁶ Honey, gold, and bronze hues bring warmth and an understated energy without being overwhelming.
• Colorful Leaves: This BEHR color is a rich, spicy deep orange that draws inspiration from the earth. ²¹

Practical Application:

• Kitchens: Use yellow or orange in the kitchen to stimulate appetite and create a cheerful atmosphere.
• Living Rooms: Incorporate yellow or orange accents to add warmth and energy to your living room.
• Entryways: Use a bold yellow or orange in your entryway to create a welcoming and inviting space.

The Enduring Appeal of Whites

While bold colors are trending, white remains a timeless and essential choice for creating a clean and versatile backdrop. White offers a blank canvas to express your style, providing a sense of purity and renewal. However, not all whites are created equal. Undertones play a crucial role in how white appears in a space, so it's essential to choose the right shade for your needs.

• Pure White: Sherwin-Williams' Pure White is a go-to shade that doesn't pull yellow, pink, blue, or gray in any lighting. ²³
• White Snow: Part of Sherwin-Williams' 2025 Color of the Year Capsule, White Snow is a versatile and timeless neutral. ¹⁹
• Snowbound: From HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, Snowbound is another great option in the 2025 Color Collection of the Year. ²²

Understanding Undertones in Whites:

• Warm Undertones: Whites with yellow, pink, or orange undertones create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
• Cool Undertones: Whites with blue, green, or gray undertones create a clean and modern aesthetic.
• Neutral Undertones: Whites with neutral undertones are versatile and work well in any space.

Practical Application:

• Walls: Use white on walls to create a bright and airy space.
• Trim and Ceilings: Use white on trim and ceilings to create a clean and cohesive look.
• Cabinets: Use white on cabinets to create a timeless and classic kitchen or bathroom.

The Importance of Paint Finishes

Choosing the right paint finish is just as important as choosing the right color. The finish affects the appearance, durability, and cleanability of the paint, so it's essential to consider the function of the room and the amount of traffic it receives.

• Matte: Matte finishes have very little sheen and are great for hiding imperfections. They are best suited for low-traffic areas like bedrooms and dining rooms.
• Eggshell: Eggshell finishes have a low sheen and are more durable than matte finishes. They are a good choice for living rooms and bedrooms.
• Satin: Satin finishes have a higher sheen than eggshell finishes and are more durable and stain-resistant. They are a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways.
• Semi-Gloss: Semi-gloss finishes have a high sheen and are very durable and easy to clean. They are a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms, trim, and doors.
• High-Gloss: High-gloss finishes have the highest sheen and are extremely durable and stain-resistant. They are a good choice for trim, doors, and cabinets.

Conclusion: Embrace Color with Confidence

As we move into 2025, the world of interior paint colors is vibrant and full of possibilities. Whether you prefer the calming embrace of earthy neutrals, the luxurious depth of jewel tones, the refreshing touch of nature-inspired greens, or the optimistic energy of yellows and oranges, there's a color palette to suit every style and personality. Embrace these trends with confidence, experiment with different combinations, and create spaces that reflect your unique vision. For your next steps, consider ordering samples of your favorite colors and testing them in your home to see how they look in different lighting conditions. Don't be afraid to break the rules and create a space that truly makes you happy. And lastly, consult with a professional interior designer or paint specialist for personalized advice and guidance.