David Savastano, Contributing Editor08.28.24
For homeowners, selecting a color for the homes that fits their personality can be a challenging process. All too often, people opt for a hue that they change quicker than they wish, which takes time and resources.
In a way, it is a wasteful approach, and in a way, Dutch Boy® Paints’ color experts have reacted to this with Mapped Blue, its 2025 Color of the Year. A blue with a slight yellow undertone, Mapped Blue plays nicely with Dutch Boy® Paints’ key trends, which all come together to focus on a less wasteful, slower lifestyle.
Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager for Dutch Boy® Paints, noted that Dutch Boy prides itself on becoming a simple, comprehensive solution for DIYers, and its team of color experts looked at micro and macro trends to see what is trending. For 2025, Dutch Boy sees four key drivers – Slow Living Retail, Sustainable Décor, Design for Longevity and Comfortable Color.
This is all part of the overall “Recession Core” trend, where people are buying less and appreciating more, and being more conscious of their purchasing decisions.
“Our 2025 Color of the Year, Mapped Blue, is more than just a trend: it’s a reflection of changing consumer values,” said Parada. “We’re seeing a significant shift, particularly among Millennials and Gen Zs, toward products that offer durability, functionality and timeless aesthetics.”
“Slow Living Retail is about pushing back against mass-produced fast products and endless consumption, which has been largely championed by environmentally conscious millennials and Gen Zers,” Parada said. “With Sustainable Décor, we see that consumers are looking for sustainably sourced décor that isn’t meant to be quickly thrown out. Statistics show that nine million tons of furniture is thrown away in the US every year.
“Design for Longevity is telling us that we don’t want to purchase things that are trendy and cool, but can be handed down over the generations,” Parada added. “These don’t have to be antiques per se but can also be contemporary pieces that are really well made. With Comfortable Color, consumers are looking for colors that are comfortable and feel familiar.”
Parada said that selecting a color that brings together all of these ideas is challenging, and Mapped Blue is the ideal choice.
“We have the very difficult job of selecting one color that encompasses all these trends, and for 2025, we have selected Mapped Blue 429-5DB,” she said. “It’s a beautiful blue with a slight undertone of yellow, giving it a sense of warmth. It can modernize traditional spaces and is timeless.
“Mapped Blue is a great color for any type of room,” Parada added. “You can paint all four walls to give an immersive look and feel and not be overbearing. Mapped Blue also works well with wood furniture and brass aspects. It also compliments exteriors for a perfect curb appeal. It helps modernize traditional interiors and exteriors, and it’s nice to show that Mapped Blue can fall into the background and act as a neutral.”
Mapped Blue also fits seamlessly with the three complementary color palettes that Dutch Boy has created for this year.
• Tailored Palette: A palette that balances comfort and luxury, the Tailored palette features an elegant White (003W), a warm Timber (411-4DB) and Anchored Blue (434-7DB), a dark navy blue hue.
“These colors are familiar and timeless, not flashy and opulent, and create quiet rooms where you can destress and relax,” Parada noted.
• Essential Palette: This palette creates a slightly more modern look, featuring Antique White (011W), the modern Stemmed Green (330-4DB) and Smoked Copper (306-5DB).
“Essential is a little more modern,” Parada observed. “t’s telling us to reject the fast high-speed lifestyle.”
• Captivate Palette: This palette combines White Linen (007W), Honey Hive (213-4DB) and deep navy blue Midnight Bliss (338-6DB) with Mapped Blue (429-5DB) to develop an environment ideal for connectivity while also being relaaxing.
“Captivate hones in on idea of immersive home design where we can find happiness and joy and disengage,” Parada noted. “We noticed that consumers are bringing more technology into home, creating a main hub in our home where we can entertain others.”
“Our 2025 One-Coat Color Trend Forecast, with Mapped Blue at its core as Color of the Year, reflects the evolving needs of today’s homeowners,” said Michelle Bangs, senior brand manager, Dutch Boy® Paints. “Through these three thoughtfully curated palettes, we hope to empower DIYers to create spaces that are both personally meaningful and enduring.”
“Each complementary palette has its own story to tell, and each pairs perfectly with Mapped Blue,” Parada pointed out. “Blue is an all-time favorite color, and with its warm yellow undertone, Mapped Blue brings the warmth consumers are going for. All 10 colors are available in our One-Coat Hide, which allows DIYers to be more confident in their projects.”
Mapped Blue and Dutch Boy® Paints’ 2025 color palettes are available exclusively at Menards. As always, Dutch Boy® Paints’ one-coat hide paints come in the brand's Twist & Pour container, which feature a spout for easy pouring.
In a way, it is a wasteful approach, and in a way, Dutch Boy® Paints’ color experts have reacted to this with Mapped Blue, its 2025 Color of the Year. A blue with a slight yellow undertone, Mapped Blue plays nicely with Dutch Boy® Paints’ key trends, which all come together to focus on a less wasteful, slower lifestyle.
Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager for Dutch Boy® Paints, noted that Dutch Boy prides itself on becoming a simple, comprehensive solution for DIYers, and its team of color experts looked at micro and macro trends to see what is trending. For 2025, Dutch Boy sees four key drivers – Slow Living Retail, Sustainable Décor, Design for Longevity and Comfortable Color.
This is all part of the overall “Recession Core” trend, where people are buying less and appreciating more, and being more conscious of their purchasing decisions.
“Our 2025 Color of the Year, Mapped Blue, is more than just a trend: it’s a reflection of changing consumer values,” said Parada. “We’re seeing a significant shift, particularly among Millennials and Gen Zs, toward products that offer durability, functionality and timeless aesthetics.”
“Slow Living Retail is about pushing back against mass-produced fast products and endless consumption, which has been largely championed by environmentally conscious millennials and Gen Zers,” Parada said. “With Sustainable Décor, we see that consumers are looking for sustainably sourced décor that isn’t meant to be quickly thrown out. Statistics show that nine million tons of furniture is thrown away in the US every year.
“Design for Longevity is telling us that we don’t want to purchase things that are trendy and cool, but can be handed down over the generations,” Parada added. “These don’t have to be antiques per se but can also be contemporary pieces that are really well made. With Comfortable Color, consumers are looking for colors that are comfortable and feel familiar.”
Parada said that selecting a color that brings together all of these ideas is challenging, and Mapped Blue is the ideal choice.
“We have the very difficult job of selecting one color that encompasses all these trends, and for 2025, we have selected Mapped Blue 429-5DB,” she said. “It’s a beautiful blue with a slight undertone of yellow, giving it a sense of warmth. It can modernize traditional spaces and is timeless.
“Mapped Blue is a great color for any type of room,” Parada added. “You can paint all four walls to give an immersive look and feel and not be overbearing. Mapped Blue also works well with wood furniture and brass aspects. It also compliments exteriors for a perfect curb appeal. It helps modernize traditional interiors and exteriors, and it’s nice to show that Mapped Blue can fall into the background and act as a neutral.”
Mapped Blue also fits seamlessly with the three complementary color palettes that Dutch Boy has created for this year.
• Tailored Palette: A palette that balances comfort and luxury, the Tailored palette features an elegant White (003W), a warm Timber (411-4DB) and Anchored Blue (434-7DB), a dark navy blue hue.
“These colors are familiar and timeless, not flashy and opulent, and create quiet rooms where you can destress and relax,” Parada noted.
• Essential Palette: This palette creates a slightly more modern look, featuring Antique White (011W), the modern Stemmed Green (330-4DB) and Smoked Copper (306-5DB).
“Essential is a little more modern,” Parada observed. “t’s telling us to reject the fast high-speed lifestyle.”
• Captivate Palette: This palette combines White Linen (007W), Honey Hive (213-4DB) and deep navy blue Midnight Bliss (338-6DB) with Mapped Blue (429-5DB) to develop an environment ideal for connectivity while also being relaaxing.
“Captivate hones in on idea of immersive home design where we can find happiness and joy and disengage,” Parada noted. “We noticed that consumers are bringing more technology into home, creating a main hub in our home where we can entertain others.”
“Our 2025 One-Coat Color Trend Forecast, with Mapped Blue at its core as Color of the Year, reflects the evolving needs of today’s homeowners,” said Michelle Bangs, senior brand manager, Dutch Boy® Paints. “Through these three thoughtfully curated palettes, we hope to empower DIYers to create spaces that are both personally meaningful and enduring.”
“Each complementary palette has its own story to tell, and each pairs perfectly with Mapped Blue,” Parada pointed out. “Blue is an all-time favorite color, and with its warm yellow undertone, Mapped Blue brings the warmth consumers are going for. All 10 colors are available in our One-Coat Hide, which allows DIYers to be more confident in their projects.”
Mapped Blue and Dutch Boy® Paints’ 2025 color palettes are available exclusively at Menards. As always, Dutch Boy® Paints’ one-coat hide paints come in the brand's Twist & Pour container, which feature a spout for easy pouring.
