paint companies and trend forecasters are placing their bets on what colors are poised to dominate the design world—and now it’s time to take stock of what’s in store for the coming year. But first, context: Last year, we saw a jolting amalgamation of preppy pinks and moody darks (inspired by the Barbenheimer infatuation), alongside a collective obsession of any rendition of blue (which we saw manifest in living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and yes, even cronuts). It was a year of warm tones, quiet interiors, and an embrace of the chromatic hits of the ’90s and early aughts (with pops of unexpected red).
Moving into 2025, however, the Y2K conversation has started to wane and designers are looking to the decade’s earlier years for inspiration. Art Deco is roaring back into style, alongside anything folky (not to mention all the Renaissance princes and Tudor kings Vogue spotted on the runway this fall). What does that mean for 2025 color trends? We’re poised for a resurgence of colors that are, as experts seem to keep putting it—muddied.
“Complex muddier pink, purple, green, and yellow tones that have earthy, grounded bases,” ELLE DECOR A-List designer Ghislaine Viñas says is what she anticipates.
“Shades that evoke the calm patina of natural materials,” A-Lister architect Hannes Peer adds.
“Earthy and moody tones that are, well, muddied,” Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson echoes.
Sure, brown isn’t going anywher, but we’re looking at it in a whole new way. Think desaturated greens, understated ochers, and dusty blues that speak not to brawniness but to the idea of soft power.
“I foresee a shift toward introspective colors, tones that feel familiar yet nuanced, with a subtle complexity that invites reflection,” Peer says. “Rather than fleeting trends, these colors carry a depth that feels enduring, rooted in a timeless narrative that’s meaningful and lasting.”
Even the color queen (and ELLE DECOR A-List designer), Viñas, known for experimenting with bold colors and unexpected color pairings that push the envelope, says she’s open to muddying her paint palette this year. “Everyone is saying that brown is back and going to become the new millennial pink,” Viñas says. “Personally, I am more drawn to complex muddier pink, purple, green, and yellow tones that have earthy, grounded bases.”
So without further ado, we present to you the six colors that are poised to reign supreme in 2025. From sophisticated eggplants to dusty terra-cottas to rich chocolate browns, we’re ready to get down and dirty.
Truffle Brown
First things first, the mother of all colors this year: brown. Earlier this year, brown was being championed by paint companies on both sides of the Atlantic as the It color of 2024. They weren’t wrong. Having crept in slowly on the heels of neutrals like flax, oatmeal, and cream, the color is showing no sign of slowing down.
Stainmaster, a flooring and paint brand from Lowe’s, named Truffle, a rich chocolate-meets-taupe, their COTY. “Truffle complements a wide range of styles, from modern minimalism to rustic chic and layers beautifully with a broad palette of colors from soft neutral hues to deep bold palettes, truly elevating the style of any space,” Monica Reese, Lowe’s director of trend and style, said in a press release.
For Etsy’s Johnson, these earthy tones are already beginning to pop across a wide range of categories in the retail world. “From wooden ornaments, wall art, and dried florals and garlands to soft blankets and soothing palettes of neutral browns, we’re seeing a strong trend of shoppers embracing these colors in all aspects of their homes,” she explains. “These hues represent a return to comforting neutrals that showcase relaxing creativity unlike the recent bold colors that have been taking over.”
Eggplant Purple
Trend forecasters have been purporting that purple is the interior color of the moment for some time now, and it seems we’re seeing that play out as predicted. On the runways, the hue was proudly brandished in the form of periwinkle suits, lilac knitwear, and lavender-patterned dresses. That was before a new hue named Digital Lavender unseated Millennial Pink with Prince-like zeal. And then the COTY announcements rolled in: Minwax’s annointed hue? Violet. Glidden Paint by PPG’s follow-up announcement? Purple Basil. Sherwin-Williams crowned Mauve Finery among its colors of the year. By the time Benjamin Moore’s color bet slid in (Cinnamon Slate, a muddied, heathered plum), it started feeling ridiculous.
ELLE DECOR A-List designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard says he’s seen eggplant purple everywhere lately, and he’s here for it. “I’ll see all sorts of fabrics in this tone as the background to patterns as well as solids and textures,” he says. “This deep sexy tone will be used in both painted rooms and lacquered rooms and in furniture. The color has a sensuality to it that radiates warmth and drama.”
And that doesn’t just go for paint. Katibelle Sharkey, the creative director at BAS Stone, a stone yard located in New York City, is calling purple the new neutral in interiors, seeing demand for it in everything from veined marble to cabinet finishes. “We anticipate purple staying strong in 2025, with new variations like purple stone interlaced with greens and oranges adding distinctive layers to designs,” she adds.
Dusty Red
A sophisticated dusty red dining room in a Manhattan apartment designed by Pappas Miron.
Red had its moment in the spotlight last year, hitting the fall 2023 runways and interiors with unabashed bravado. This year, we’ve evolved, opting for a muted version of this dramatic shade. “Paprika is a little more serious than terra-cotta, but not as predictable as red,” says designer Elizabeth Young. “I caught a glimpse of this color recently on travels and then noticed it popping up all over, in leather goods (the most amazing Loewe bag) fabrics, and tile.”
This rich hue pairs well with most colors, adding a little drama and bringing even the dullest spaces to life, Young adds. “For softies, try it with a beautiful cream or apricot, and for those who want to make a statement go with black. And although I love it taking over the room in either paint or tile, the color is equally dramatic with just a splash either as a sofa or drapery.”
Viñas, too, has taken a liking to this dialed-down version of red, opting for pops of terra-cotta that bring warmth without feeling overwhelming. “In the past I’ve mainly used color to energize a space; however, as our world becomes ever more chaotic, I’ve been searching for calm in colors,” she explains. “I find they work best as more foundational tones that are ideal for sofas, chairs, or the bases of any significant pieces in a room.” How very unexpected.
On the stone front, Sharkey says they’ve noticed a demand for rich, vintage-inspired colors in light of the resurgence of Art Deco in interiors. “When it comes to stone selection, designers are gravitating toward reds, burgundies, and bluish greens swirled with warm yellow coloring,” she says. “We recently debuted a selection of Calacatta Turquoise, which quickly became a new favorite and has nearly sold out.”
Chartreuse
After the meteoric rise of the red trend last year, it’s not surprising that we’re ready for a cheery hue that can take the back seat. Enter: chartreuse. It’s not exactly lemon yellow nor brat green. In fact, it acts as more of a neutral when paired with darker tones—and we’re betting that it’s about to go supernova. “It has been everywhere for the past five seasons,” says Sue Wadden, Sherwin-Williams’s color marketing director. “We’re seeing it on the runways, on the streets.” And more recently, it was included in their colors of the year rollout. As for implementing it in the home, Wadden recommends using it in small doses in accent pieces. It can be paired with a rich gold like Bosc Pear, which Wadden says is also on the rise.
Dusty Blue
Another introspective color that Peer predicts will hit it out of the park in 2025 is what he calls dusty blue, a hue he says he “expects to see become central to creating personal and curated spaces at home.” For Peer, this color will likely appear as a subtle accent, as people gravitate toward palettes that evoke memory and history, transforming spaces into places that feel deeply rooted. “It’s less about bold, attention-grabbing shades and more about crafting an ambience that feels calming and timeless,” the architect says.
“This muted blue is a versatile color with universal appeal that works with various aesthetics,” Arianna Barone, the color marketing manager at Benjamin Moore, tells ELLE DECOR. “If you’re hesitant about bringing bolder or deeper colors to your space, this color is a great introduction to more colorful hues,” she says. She advises bringing it into common areas and transitional spaces like living rooms, kitchens, and hallways for an added layer.
Muddy Pink
The past year has seen a revival in all things girlhood. Trends like Barbiecore, balletcore, coquette, and bow-tied everything are a reclamation of femininity. So of course, pink is on our radar (and all over TikTok). And in the same vein that burgundy is the new red, we’re here for a pink with brown undertones. Paint company Little Greene called it early on in color trend season, naming Mochi, a rich light brown with peachy pink undertones, their COTY. “Rich warm colors deliver cocooning, restful, and charming spaces and are perfect for creating enticing and sumptuous spaces within our homes,” Ruth Mottershead, creator director at Little Greene, said in a statement. Mottershead recommends playing up the more traditional elements of a room by pairing Mochi with greens and grays for a grounded, earthy feel. A rich, dark brown too would make for an inviting contemporary space.
Rachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publication’s feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the to the on the internet right now. She has more than 12 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.
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