David Savastano, Contributing Editor02.14.25
It is interesting how colors impact one’s mood. Red, for example, evokes passion and fire, while green can make a person think of nature and growth. Meanwhile, blue is best known for creating a sense of calm and peace.
It is that sense of relaxation and tranquility that led James Hardie Building Products Inc.’s team of color experts to select Evening Blue as the Chicago, IL-based building materials company’s 2025 Color of the Year. Evening Blue is described by the siding specialist as “a deep, soothing color that mirrors the serenity of the twilight sky.”
"We are delighted to introduce Evening Blue as our 2025 Color of the Year," said Sean Gadd, president of James Hardie North America, in announcing this year’s selection. "In a world that can at times feel overwhelming and stressful, we understand the importance of creating a peaceful home environment. Evening Blue, with its calming and serene qualities, perfectly embodies this need while also providing lasting beauty to homes for peace of mind. We believe it will provide a stunning and soothing addition to any style home."
James Hardie’s corporate office is located in Chicago, IL, and its parent company operates more than a dozen manufacturing plants around the world. The company is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions, and is known for its high-quality, durable products that are Engineered for Climate®, providing superior performance, durability, and aesthetics.
Eleni Vydra, director of brand marketing at James Hardie, noted that the company’s color team utilized data and insights from the brand’s subject matter experts, partners and customers along with cultural and design trends, the emotional ambiance they wanted to evoke in homes, and the timeless appeal of the color to come to Evening Blue as its choice of this year’s color.
“The selection of Evening Blue as the 2025 Color of the Year was influenced by the need for relaxation and tranquility in today's fast-paced, stress-filled world,” Vydra observed. “This deep, soothing color mirrors the serenity of the twilight sky and has a timeless appeal. It also evokes feelings of calmness and peace, aligning with our commitment to enhancing not just the physical, but also the emotional ambiance of homes.”
As am exterior paint specialist, James Hardie sees Evening Blue as the perfect color to come home to.
“Evening Blue is a contemplative color that elicits the comfort one feels when finally returning home after a long day,” Vydra said. “On the exterior of a home, it provides a wash of positivity for you, your neighbors and your guests. It works beautifully when used as a primary home exterior color, but also as an accent or as trim.”
Last year, James Hardie selected Mountain Sage, a green, as its first color of the year selection, and Evening Blue is a fitting follow-up.
“This year's trend of selecting a calming and tranquil hue like Evening Blue is a natural successor to our inaugural Color of the Year, Mountain Sage, which was chosen in large part because green hues are reminiscent of lush natural landscapes and promote serenity and reduce anxiety – shades of green can even lower your heart rate,” said Vydra. “As people increasingly prioritize their mental health and relaxation, they’re continuing to opt for design choices that reflect how they want to feel.”
To see how Evening Blue can look on your project, you can download the Hover Design Studio app from James Hardie (JamesHardie.com/Design-Studio).
Vydra noted that Evening Blue is a color that will last, which is ideal as James Hardie’s coatings are formulated with durability in mind.
“You can expect an Evening Blue exterior to maintain its beauty for years to come, and not just because the color is timeless,” added Vydra. “Hardie siding in Evening Blue feature ColorPlus® Technology, a proprietary finish that’s baked on in a controlled factory environment to maximize adhesion. The result is low maintenance, long-lasting color that resists fading, chipping, and cracking. And because Hardie products require minimal care and maintenance, homeowners can enjoy the calming effect of an Evening Blue exterior without the stress of frequent retouching.”
It is that sense of relaxation and tranquility that led James Hardie Building Products Inc.’s team of color experts to select Evening Blue as the Chicago, IL-based building materials company’s 2025 Color of the Year. Evening Blue is described by the siding specialist as “a deep, soothing color that mirrors the serenity of the twilight sky.”
"We are delighted to introduce Evening Blue as our 2025 Color of the Year," said Sean Gadd, president of James Hardie North America, in announcing this year’s selection. "In a world that can at times feel overwhelming and stressful, we understand the importance of creating a peaceful home environment. Evening Blue, with its calming and serene qualities, perfectly embodies this need while also providing lasting beauty to homes for peace of mind. We believe it will provide a stunning and soothing addition to any style home."
James Hardie’s corporate office is located in Chicago, IL, and its parent company operates more than a dozen manufacturing plants around the world. The company is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions, and is known for its high-quality, durable products that are Engineered for Climate®, providing superior performance, durability, and aesthetics.
Eleni Vydra, director of brand marketing at James Hardie, noted that the company’s color team utilized data and insights from the brand’s subject matter experts, partners and customers along with cultural and design trends, the emotional ambiance they wanted to evoke in homes, and the timeless appeal of the color to come to Evening Blue as its choice of this year’s color.
“The selection of Evening Blue as the 2025 Color of the Year was influenced by the need for relaxation and tranquility in today's fast-paced, stress-filled world,” Vydra observed. “This deep, soothing color mirrors the serenity of the twilight sky and has a timeless appeal. It also evokes feelings of calmness and peace, aligning with our commitment to enhancing not just the physical, but also the emotional ambiance of homes.”
As am exterior paint specialist, James Hardie sees Evening Blue as the perfect color to come home to.
“Evening Blue is a contemplative color that elicits the comfort one feels when finally returning home after a long day,” Vydra said. “On the exterior of a home, it provides a wash of positivity for you, your neighbors and your guests. It works beautifully when used as a primary home exterior color, but also as an accent or as trim.”
Last year, James Hardie selected Mountain Sage, a green, as its first color of the year selection, and Evening Blue is a fitting follow-up.
“This year's trend of selecting a calming and tranquil hue like Evening Blue is a natural successor to our inaugural Color of the Year, Mountain Sage, which was chosen in large part because green hues are reminiscent of lush natural landscapes and promote serenity and reduce anxiety – shades of green can even lower your heart rate,” said Vydra. “As people increasingly prioritize their mental health and relaxation, they’re continuing to opt for design choices that reflect how they want to feel.”
To see how Evening Blue can look on your project, you can download the Hover Design Studio app from James Hardie (JamesHardie.com/Design-Studio).
Vydra noted that Evening Blue is a color that will last, which is ideal as James Hardie’s coatings are formulated with durability in mind.
“You can expect an Evening Blue exterior to maintain its beauty for years to come, and not just because the color is timeless,” added Vydra. “Hardie siding in Evening Blue feature ColorPlus® Technology, a proprietary finish that’s baked on in a controlled factory environment to maximize adhesion. The result is low maintenance, long-lasting color that resists fading, chipping, and cracking. And because Hardie products require minimal care and maintenance, homeowners can enjoy the calming effect of an Evening Blue exterior without the stress of frequent retouching.”