PPG Selects Purple Basil as 2025 Color of the Year

Depending on the paint and coatings manufacturer, selecting their annual Color of the Year may go beyond home decor. For some companies, it can include consumer products, automotive, aerospace markets and more.

As a leader in numerous segments, PPG is positioned in various markets. Vanessa Peterson, PPG global color styling lead, consumer products, Industrial Coatings, spoke about Purple Basil, this year’s selection, and how it is ideal for more than the architectural segment.

“PPG is unique when it comes to a color of the year selection, because we bring together over 30+ color experts from around the globe who also represent multiple industries,” added Peterson. “Our color selection needs to serve numerous industry applications, from architectural, consumer products, automotive, aerospace, etc. We therefore take many influences into account when selecting our color of the year and complimentary palettes.

“Beyond the attractiveness of the color, our global research and insight across numerous industries really informs the choice,” Peterson observed. “Not only does this color have to be versatile enough to span several industries, but it also needs to appeal to consumers.”

PPG describes Purple Basil as “a refreshingly bold yet soothing dusty violet hue that represents adaptability in times of change.” Peterson said that Purple Basil (which goes by the name Amethyst Shadow and Acai Berry is certain European markets) brings together a host of emotions that are comforting to consumers.

“Purple Basil is dramatic in all the best ways,” Peterson said. “It demands attention while at the same time imparts a sense of calm, dignity and wonder. This makes it a choice color for the minimalist and the maximalist, alike. Purple Basil is perfect for focal areas of the home like open dens/offices, dining rooms, powder rooms and primary bedrooms.

“We’ve noticed that consumers, more than ever, are needing to move forward and find ways to flourish in continued ‘unprecedented’ times,” Peterson noted. “They’re finding creative, spiritual and grounding methods to achieve this state of mind. Finding a color that encompasses these qualities was quite challenging, but not impossible! Purple Basil provides an essence of comfort, nostalgia, luxury and connectivity that we believe consumers are seeking in this ever-contrasting world.”

To accentuate Purple Basil, PPG “developed Kinetic, a 40-color palette for 2025 that represents four different micro trends – Extra Celestial, Bio-Fuse, Artificial, and Earth and Archive – that are complementary to Purple Basil, each one with its own story.

“The Kinetic color theme reflects the need for self-reliance in a fast-paced world,” said Peterson. “It also highlights the interplay between nature and science that is driving innovation, and the influence of new tools like artificial intelligence that are fostering boundless creativity.”

Peterson pointed out that Purple Basil can be paired nicely with Limitless, PPG’s 2024 Color of the Year.

“Purple Basil can pair well with Limitless, our 2024 Color of the Year, but better yet, Purple Basil encourages the consumer to dare to dream,” she observed. “It represents the need to move forward from finding joy in troubled times to creating, building and sustaining a life made on your own terms.

“In a way we do carry over themes from previous years to demonstrate how certain trends grow and develop along with consumers,” Peterson added. “For example, we know that a focus on sustainability will continue to be a trend in our research because of its importance to the environment and the consumer. It’s our job to creatively explore the expansion and aesthetics of trends in a way that pushes the message forward while inspiring the consumer.”