If you’re planning on using paint to add color to your home, look no further than the 2025 Color of the Year selections. Each year, the major paint companies select a “color of the year.” These colors set the tone for home design for the upcoming year – and by the looks of it, 2025 is set to be a dramatic year. Each color choice is bold and full of character while also being surprisingly versatile.
How was the color of the year 2025 chosen?
Believe it or not, a lot of work goes into choosing the color of the year. Each paint company has its own complex process, which involves extensive testing and analysis by teams of experts. These experts have backgrounds in interior design, graphic design, and fine art and use their talents and expertise to examine cultural trends in home design, fashion, and—this surprised me—food. They use this data to predict what color will resonate with customers in the upcoming year.
This year, it looks like the experts have seen an uptick in dramatic color that dominates a space. Most of the colors are a nice change from the muted tones that have been the top home design trends for too long. So, without further ado, here are the choices for 2025 color of the year:
Encore Blue
Valspar’s Encore Blue is a timeless shade that blends Old World charm with a modern twist, making it suitable for any room or surface. According to Sue Kim, Valspar’s director of color marketing, “Encore creates a perfect backdrop, grounding a space and allowing vibrant, complementary accents to stand out.” The versatility of Valspar’s color of the year also allows it to make a statement on its own.
Truffle
It looks like it isn’t just painting companies who are choosing a color of the year. STAINMASTER has also jumped on the bandwagon and announced Truffle as their color of the year 2025. This deep, dark chocolate brown tone reflects the increased popularity of dark interiors.
Truffle complements a variety of styles, from modern minimalism to rustic chic, and pairs beautifully with a wide range of colors—from soft neutrals to bold, rich palettes—bringing an elevated look to any space. It can be described as a comforting shade and will add depth to any space it is used in.
Rumors
After conducting an online survey of 1,000 American adults, Behr has chosen Rumors as the color of the year 2025. Rumor is a dynamic earthy red shade and is described as making survey participants feel “stronger and more confident” which is really interesting. *If you have time, check out color psychology – it is incredibly interesting to look around at places you visit and marketing materials once you learn more about it. * Rumors by Behr will instantly elevate any space of your home and would make an excellent choice for an accent wall color to add elegance to your home.
Violet
Another rich and moody jewel tone, Miniwax has chosen Violet as its color of the year. This shade was chosen based on research that showed a growing interest in maximalist aesthetics that aren’t afraid to use unique pieces and colors throughout a space.
This Miniwax wood stain is not just their top pick for 2025, but it is also a step forward in the wood stain world. We typically think of, well, wood colors, but this new shade of purple changes that and will give DIY enthusiasts (like myself) more options when it comes to repurposing old pieces of furniture. To maximize this moody, statement-making shade, Miniwax designers suggest color-drenching a space with more royal purple paint or wallpaper – I don’t think I’ll be doing that in my home, but for those of you who are more daring, it could be a great project to work on.
Carmalized
I love the Dunn Edwards choice for color of the year 2025, Carmalized. It’s a warm terracotta brown that makes me think of the desert (which I have been missing so much lately!) This color will add warmth and depth to any space in your home, but I think it would look particularly good in the kitchen.
Dunn Edwards chose this Carmalized because they’ve noticed homeowners and designers using timeless, earthy paint colors. This shade will pair well with other natural elements in the home that have been popular for years, such as natural stone and hardwood.
Purple Basil
Oh, yay, more purple—this time by Glidden. Purple Basil represents “self-discovery and self-expression.” Like Miniwax, Glidden said their choice was based on the growing maximalist trend that encourages people to create bold, unique spaces – even though I’m reluctant on using the violet tones in the home, I will admit it is a refreshing change from the sterile white and gray homes that all look the same. We love creating a unique space over here!
Purple Basil would look beautiful with the beige couch and wooden coffee table in my living room. So if you have a colorless home with neutral-colored furniture, this shade of purple would completely transform it.
Cinnamon Slate
Benjamin Moore chose a creamy mix of plum and chocolate for the color of the year 2025. Cinnamon Slate is being advertised as a bold neutral, which I think perfectly describes it. In a press release, Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore’s color and design spokesperson, discussed the need for balance and reassurance, which she feels can be achieved with this restorative color.
Hues of brown are trending in home design, but this shade takes it up a notch. It’s more exciting and colorful and can be used in many areas of the home. The color feels soothing so it would work well in the home office where you don’t want to be distracted but you are also bored with lifeless colors.
Mapped Blue
If you aren’t feeling the deep, bold colors chosen by the other paint companies, maybe you’ll like this one. Dutch Boy Paints has chosen a medium blue shade called Mapped Blue as it’s color of the year. Their hope was to choose a color that felt “personal, but timeless” and is a reflection of the changing consumer values.
Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager for Dutch Boy Paints, noted “We’re seeing a significant shift, particularly among Millennials and Gen Zs, toward products that offer durability, functionality, and timeless aesthetics. Mapped Blue answers this call, providing a classic yet modern charm that can adapt to various design styles and stand the test of time.” This cool shade would look stunning in a spa-like bathroom.
Will you use any of the color of the year 2025 choices?
What do you all think? Are these the colors and tones that will set the standard for home design trends in 2025? I like how these are more lively than some of the previous popular paint colors, but at the same time they still feel somewhat calming. I feel like many of us want spaces that feel warm and cozy but are tired of browns and grays. These colors fit that without being overwhelming – well, except purple basil – that one has the best chance of overpowering a space.
Let me know in the comments if you use any of these color of the year choices!
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