David Savastano, Contributing Editor02.26.25
Colors are essential to how we feel. Some colors, like blues and greens, are more calming; reds and oranges create more of a sense of energy and excitement; yellows capture a sense of joy.
When people look to select the colors they want for their home’s interiors and exteriors, they choose colors that capture how they feel. Perhaps it is a neutral or a natural color, or maybe it is a bolder choice.
Many of the leading architectural paint and coatings manufacturers select colors of the year, observing the trends they are seeing. In speaking with color experts from a range of architectural paint specialists, consumers are opting for a wide variety of colors. In alphabetical order by paint manufacturers, here are some of this year’s Colors of the Year:
• AkzoNobel: True Joy
For AkzoNobel, their 2025 Color of the Year is aptly named True Joy, a sunny yellow that imparts a sense of optimism. Heleen van Gent, creative director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center, said that True Joy is a way to welcome the new into our homes.
“In this rapidly changing world, it’s easy to feel uncertain about our next steps,” said van Gent. “But change creates an opportunity for imagination, a chance to create something even better. With our new Color of the Year and ColourFutures 2025 palettes, we want to inspire consumers to celebrate their roots and creativity and embrace the optimism of moving forward in their homes and spaces.
“AkzoNobel’s Color of the Year for 2025 is True Joy, the adventurous, sunny yellow shade on a mission to fill our homes with optimism, pride and a splash of vibrant color,” said van Gent.
• Behr Paint: Rumors
As part of its research into what colors are trending, Behr Paint conducts surveys of homeowners to see what they like. This year, red was among the most popular choices; Behr’s research noted that 76% of Americans say they would consider painting a room or a wall a shade of red, with accent walls, bedrooms, and front doors at the top of their wish lists. This year’s selection, Rumors, can best be described as a deep ruby red that adds warmth and elegance both inside and outside the home.
“When selecting our Color of the Year Rumors, we considered global trends and lifestyle influences such as music, fashion, and travel,” said Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services. “For 2025, we identified a shift towards people incorporating bolder colors in their space. Recent research commissioned by Behr supports this, with a majority of Americans agreeing that red is currently ‘on-trend’.
“In recent years, we’ve seen consumers craving bolder hues and expressive color moments that make an impact,” added Woelfel. “While neutrals will never go out of style, rich colors like Rumors are an approachable way for people to add more color to their spaces while also appealing to those who already gravitate toward colorful shades.”
• C2 Paint: Raku
Every year, color specialists at many paint companies look at the trends around us, selecting the colors they see as reflecting our current sensibilities. For Philippa Radon, C2 Paint’s color specialist, people are feeling a sense of “anxiety” about where we are right now, and C2 Raku, a grounding dark red, is just what homeowners are looking for.
“We wanted a color that brought a sense of balance and reminded us of how rituals and everyday routines present invaluable moments to regroup, but in a way that is both simple and sophisticated,” Radon observed. “C2 Raku is a truly versatile neutral that shifts with the light. It’s much like a full-bodied wine that shifts from a deep red to a darker tone, revealing mahogany and deep purple undertones. It’s really a stunning, quite dramatic color that also brings a sense of calm.
“Raku is an expression of balance, comfort, and timeless elegance,” Radon noted. “In a world where polarizing views can divide and isolate, Raku offers a palette that returns us to simple, grounding pleasures.”
• California Paints: Ocean Melody
When one thinks of California, peacefully sitting beside the ocean can come to mind. That sense of tranquility is just one of the reasons why Ocean Melody 0499 is an ideal choice for California Paints’ 2025 Color of the Year. Ocean Melody 0499 is a warm blue that offers a feeling of comfort and connection with nature.
“Ocean Melody 0499 is more than just a color; it’s a reflection of the spaces we want to create in 2025—comfortable, inviting, and inspired by the natural world,” said Daniele Doerge, brand manager for California Paints, a subsidiary of ICP. “As part of ICP, we take pride in setting the tone for design trends that resonate with our customers’ lifestyles. Ocean Melody embodies the tranquility and timelessness that today’s homeowners and professionals are seeking.
“Ocean Melody is a warm, tranquil blue that brings a sense of serenity and elegance to any space,” Doerge pointed out. “It works beautifully indoors in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas, where it creates a calming atmosphere. Outside the home, it can add a refreshing yet sophisticated touch to shutters and doors, blending seamlessly with natural surroundings. Ocean Melody follows the movement toward soft, natural hues that evoke calmness and simplicity while offering a fresh yet timeless look.”
Doerge added that Ocean Melody is the perfect color for the times.
“Ocean Melody is more than a color—it’s a reflection of the way we want to live in 2025,” Doerge concluded. “It’s about creating spaces that feel like a retreat, grounded in the soothing rhythms of nature. With its versatility and connection to the supporting trend palette, Ocean Melody allows for endless creative possibilities, making it a true standout in California Paints’ lineup.”
• Dutch Boy Paints: Mapped Blue
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.
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.
“Our 2025 Color of the Year, Mapped Blue, is more than just a trend: it’s a reflection of 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 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.”
• Florida Paints: Natural Beauty
Florida is a beautiful state, with colors ranging from natural hues to vibrant colors. It is only natural that the color experts at Florida Paints would look outside and be inspired by the natural colors they see when creating “Natural Beauty,” this year’s 12-color palette.
“Our paints are formulated for Florida living, so it was a natural decision to look in our own backyard when developing our 2025 trends,” said Don Strube, Florida Paints co-founder/co-CEO. “We’ve curated a collection that not only resonates with emerging design aesthetics, but also aligns with the evolving needs of businesses, architects, and designers to help them stay ahead of the curve in an ever-
changing market.”
• HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams: Quietude
The times we live in can create a sense of anxiety among people, and homeowners are definitely seeking ways to bring a sense of peacefulness into their homes. With Quietude, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ 2025 Color of the Year, as well as Naturally Refined, this year’s Color Collection of the Year, a sense of calmness is this year’s strongest trend.
Ashely Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, observed that Naturally Refined was composed as a response to the current cultural shift toward cultivating a slower, more sustainable pace.
“From the Color Collection, Quietude (HGSW6212) was selected as the standout 2025 Color of the Year for its soothing hue and longevity throughout a variety of design styles, equipping the color with true staying power,” Banbury added.
Banbury said that it is a cool sage green hue with slight blue undertones that embraces both traditional and modern elements, exuding a feeling of peace and serenity.
“Because it seamlessly integrates into a variety of design styles and aesthetics, Quietude makes a perfect addition to any living space both indoors and outdoors and creates a calming aesthetic in rooms such as kitchens, nurseries, bathrooms, front doors and more,” Banbury added.
• James Hardie Building Products Inc.: Evening Blue
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.”
“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,” Eleni Vydra, director of brand marketing at James Hardie, noted. “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.”
• Mankiewicz: Homecoming, Balance and Pulse
We live in a world that is constantly changing, yet people do not always seek change. The colors we look for often reflect a longing for nature and trust, and these are trends that Mankiewicz saw when it selected Homecoming, Balance and Pulse as its 2025 Colors of the Year.
Homecoming, a light green shade, is a color that evokes a return to familiar surroundings. Balance, described as a light wool shade, brings forward a sense of sustainability and naturalness. Pulse, a darker red, is a striking, mysterious color.
Nina Karsten, senior designer for Mankiewicz, observed that the times that we live in are not the easiest, and the three Colors of the Year provide a sort of antidote.
“Pulse has an intense vibe, while Homecoming is looking at safer things, which gives us a feeling of trust,” Karsten said. “Balance has a lot to do with sustainability and the honesty of the materials we find.”
• The Pittsburgh Paints Company: Purple Basil
Jenny Burroughs, SVP and chief marketing officer, Pittsburgh Paints Company, said that people often start their color selection journey looking at bold hues, but ultimately settle for a more expected or muted color.
“GLIDDEN Paint’s 2025 Color of the Year is Purple Basil (PPG1046-7), a warm, high-impact hue that demonstrates the transformative power of color,” Burroughs said. “The color choice aims to empower consumers to unapologetically paint with colors that speak to them. Purple Basil represents the appreciation for self-discovery and self-expression that have led to the rise of maximalism across industries, including design, fashion and consumer goods.”
• Lowe’s STAINMASTER Brand: Truffle
When homeowners look to freshen up their homes, they often look for rich neutrals to set the tone with other colors, whether they are going for classic pairings or a modern look.
For its 2025 Color of the Year, STAINMASTER, available exclusively at Lowe’s, went for a rich neutral with Truffle, a restorative dark hue that offers homeowners a vast color palette to develop.
Monica Reese, director of trend and style for Lowe’s, found that people are leaning into deep hues, with darker neutrals trending this year.
“We are excited to highlight Truffle, a versatile color that taps into the warm beauty of nature, offering a timeless and durable foundation for our customers’ design needs,” said Reese. “Truffle complements a wide range of styles, from modern minimalism to rustic chic.
“Customers are venturing away from white and grey tones, but they are still looking for neutrals, and Truffle is a more dynamic neutral,” added Reese. “Truffle has a rich tone, with a sense of elegance and versatility. It can transform your whole space while lending itself to a classic look, and depending on what you pair with it, you can create different moods. Cool tones create a more updated look, while ivory leads to a more classic look. This paint is specifically made for interiors.”
• Valspar: Epic Adventure
Blue is a timeless color that often appears as a Color of the Year selection. It is a color that is equally beautiful inside and outside of the home, either as a highlight or color drenching.
For 2025, Valspar has selected Epic Adventure V073-6, a deep atmospheric blue hue, as its Color of the Year. As a quick note, Epic Adventure is the name the paint can be found at independent retailers; the shade is found as Encore 8002-45G at Lowe’s. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, observed that Epic Adventure is ideal for both traditional and modern looks.
“Encore is a color for any space or application. Timeless and familiar, Epic Adventure’s deep atmospheric blue hue infuses a backdrop of joy and playfulness into any living space, both interior and exterior,” said Kim.
When people look to select the colors they want for their home’s interiors and exteriors, they choose colors that capture how they feel. Perhaps it is a neutral or a natural color, or maybe it is a bolder choice.
Many of the leading architectural paint and coatings manufacturers select colors of the year, observing the trends they are seeing. In speaking with color experts from a range of architectural paint specialists, consumers are opting for a wide variety of colors. In alphabetical order by paint manufacturers, here are some of this year’s Colors of the Year:
• AkzoNobel: True Joy
For AkzoNobel, their 2025 Color of the Year is aptly named True Joy, a sunny yellow that imparts a sense of optimism. Heleen van Gent, creative director of AkzoNobel’s Global Aesthetic Center, said that True Joy is a way to welcome the new into our homes.
“In this rapidly changing world, it’s easy to feel uncertain about our next steps,” said van Gent. “But change creates an opportunity for imagination, a chance to create something even better. With our new Color of the Year and ColourFutures 2025 palettes, we want to inspire consumers to celebrate their roots and creativity and embrace the optimism of moving forward in their homes and spaces.
“AkzoNobel’s Color of the Year for 2025 is True Joy, the adventurous, sunny yellow shade on a mission to fill our homes with optimism, pride and a splash of vibrant color,” said van Gent.
• Behr Paint: Rumors
As part of its research into what colors are trending, Behr Paint conducts surveys of homeowners to see what they like. This year, red was among the most popular choices; Behr’s research noted that 76% of Americans say they would consider painting a room or a wall a shade of red, with accent walls, bedrooms, and front doors at the top of their wish lists. This year’s selection, Rumors, can best be described as a deep ruby red that adds warmth and elegance both inside and outside the home.
“When selecting our Color of the Year Rumors, we considered global trends and lifestyle influences such as music, fashion, and travel,” said Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services. “For 2025, we identified a shift towards people incorporating bolder colors in their space. Recent research commissioned by Behr supports this, with a majority of Americans agreeing that red is currently ‘on-trend’.
“In recent years, we’ve seen consumers craving bolder hues and expressive color moments that make an impact,” added Woelfel. “While neutrals will never go out of style, rich colors like Rumors are an approachable way for people to add more color to their spaces while also appealing to those who already gravitate toward colorful shades.”
• C2 Paint: Raku
Every year, color specialists at many paint companies look at the trends around us, selecting the colors they see as reflecting our current sensibilities. For Philippa Radon, C2 Paint’s color specialist, people are feeling a sense of “anxiety” about where we are right now, and C2 Raku, a grounding dark red, is just what homeowners are looking for.
“We wanted a color that brought a sense of balance and reminded us of how rituals and everyday routines present invaluable moments to regroup, but in a way that is both simple and sophisticated,” Radon observed. “C2 Raku is a truly versatile neutral that shifts with the light. It’s much like a full-bodied wine that shifts from a deep red to a darker tone, revealing mahogany and deep purple undertones. It’s really a stunning, quite dramatic color that also brings a sense of calm.
“Raku is an expression of balance, comfort, and timeless elegance,” Radon noted. “In a world where polarizing views can divide and isolate, Raku offers a palette that returns us to simple, grounding pleasures.”
• California Paints: Ocean Melody
When one thinks of California, peacefully sitting beside the ocean can come to mind. That sense of tranquility is just one of the reasons why Ocean Melody 0499 is an ideal choice for California Paints’ 2025 Color of the Year. Ocean Melody 0499 is a warm blue that offers a feeling of comfort and connection with nature.
“Ocean Melody 0499 is more than just a color; it’s a reflection of the spaces we want to create in 2025—comfortable, inviting, and inspired by the natural world,” said Daniele Doerge, brand manager for California Paints, a subsidiary of ICP. “As part of ICP, we take pride in setting the tone for design trends that resonate with our customers’ lifestyles. Ocean Melody embodies the tranquility and timelessness that today’s homeowners and professionals are seeking.
“Ocean Melody is a warm, tranquil blue that brings a sense of serenity and elegance to any space,” Doerge pointed out. “It works beautifully indoors in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas, where it creates a calming atmosphere. Outside the home, it can add a refreshing yet sophisticated touch to shutters and doors, blending seamlessly with natural surroundings. Ocean Melody follows the movement toward soft, natural hues that evoke calmness and simplicity while offering a fresh yet timeless look.”
Doerge added that Ocean Melody is the perfect color for the times.
“Ocean Melody is more than a color—it’s a reflection of the way we want to live in 2025,” Doerge concluded. “It’s about creating spaces that feel like a retreat, grounded in the soothing rhythms of nature. With its versatility and connection to the supporting trend palette, Ocean Melody allows for endless creative possibilities, making it a true standout in California Paints’ lineup.”
• Dutch Boy Paints: Mapped Blue
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.
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.
“Our 2025 Color of the Year, Mapped Blue, is more than just a trend: it’s a reflection of 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 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.”
• Florida Paints: Natural Beauty
Florida is a beautiful state, with colors ranging from natural hues to vibrant colors. It is only natural that the color experts at Florida Paints would look outside and be inspired by the natural colors they see when creating “Natural Beauty,” this year’s 12-color palette.
“Our paints are formulated for Florida living, so it was a natural decision to look in our own backyard when developing our 2025 trends,” said Don Strube, Florida Paints co-founder/co-CEO. “We’ve curated a collection that not only resonates with emerging design aesthetics, but also aligns with the evolving needs of businesses, architects, and designers to help them stay ahead of the curve in an ever-
changing market.”
• HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams: Quietude
The times we live in can create a sense of anxiety among people, and homeowners are definitely seeking ways to bring a sense of peacefulness into their homes. With Quietude, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams’ 2025 Color of the Year, as well as Naturally Refined, this year’s Color Collection of the Year, a sense of calmness is this year’s strongest trend.
Ashely Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, observed that Naturally Refined was composed as a response to the current cultural shift toward cultivating a slower, more sustainable pace.
“From the Color Collection, Quietude (HGSW6212) was selected as the standout 2025 Color of the Year for its soothing hue and longevity throughout a variety of design styles, equipping the color with true staying power,” Banbury added.
Banbury said that it is a cool sage green hue with slight blue undertones that embraces both traditional and modern elements, exuding a feeling of peace and serenity.
“Because it seamlessly integrates into a variety of design styles and aesthetics, Quietude makes a perfect addition to any living space both indoors and outdoors and creates a calming aesthetic in rooms such as kitchens, nurseries, bathrooms, front doors and more,” Banbury added.
• James Hardie Building Products Inc.: Evening Blue
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.”
“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,” Eleni Vydra, director of brand marketing at James Hardie, noted. “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.”
• Mankiewicz: Homecoming, Balance and Pulse
We live in a world that is constantly changing, yet people do not always seek change. The colors we look for often reflect a longing for nature and trust, and these are trends that Mankiewicz saw when it selected Homecoming, Balance and Pulse as its 2025 Colors of the Year.
Homecoming, a light green shade, is a color that evokes a return to familiar surroundings. Balance, described as a light wool shade, brings forward a sense of sustainability and naturalness. Pulse, a darker red, is a striking, mysterious color.
Nina Karsten, senior designer for Mankiewicz, observed that the times that we live in are not the easiest, and the three Colors of the Year provide a sort of antidote.
“Pulse has an intense vibe, while Homecoming is looking at safer things, which gives us a feeling of trust,” Karsten said. “Balance has a lot to do with sustainability and the honesty of the materials we find.”
• The Pittsburgh Paints Company: Purple Basil
Jenny Burroughs, SVP and chief marketing officer, Pittsburgh Paints Company, said that people often start their color selection journey looking at bold hues, but ultimately settle for a more expected or muted color.
“GLIDDEN Paint’s 2025 Color of the Year is Purple Basil (PPG1046-7), a warm, high-impact hue that demonstrates the transformative power of color,” Burroughs said. “The color choice aims to empower consumers to unapologetically paint with colors that speak to them. Purple Basil represents the appreciation for self-discovery and self-expression that have led to the rise of maximalism across industries, including design, fashion and consumer goods.”
• Lowe’s STAINMASTER Brand: Truffle
When homeowners look to freshen up their homes, they often look for rich neutrals to set the tone with other colors, whether they are going for classic pairings or a modern look.
For its 2025 Color of the Year, STAINMASTER, available exclusively at Lowe’s, went for a rich neutral with Truffle, a restorative dark hue that offers homeowners a vast color palette to develop.
Monica Reese, director of trend and style for Lowe’s, found that people are leaning into deep hues, with darker neutrals trending this year.
“We are excited to highlight Truffle, a versatile color that taps into the warm beauty of nature, offering a timeless and durable foundation for our customers’ design needs,” said Reese. “Truffle complements a wide range of styles, from modern minimalism to rustic chic.
“Customers are venturing away from white and grey tones, but they are still looking for neutrals, and Truffle is a more dynamic neutral,” added Reese. “Truffle has a rich tone, with a sense of elegance and versatility. It can transform your whole space while lending itself to a classic look, and depending on what you pair with it, you can create different moods. Cool tones create a more updated look, while ivory leads to a more classic look. This paint is specifically made for interiors.”
• Valspar: Epic Adventure
Blue is a timeless color that often appears as a Color of the Year selection. It is a color that is equally beautiful inside and outside of the home, either as a highlight or color drenching.
For 2025, Valspar has selected Epic Adventure V073-6, a deep atmospheric blue hue, as its Color of the Year. As a quick note, Epic Adventure is the name the paint can be found at independent retailers; the shade is found as Encore 8002-45G at Lowe’s. Sue Kim, director of color marketing at Valspar, observed that Epic Adventure is ideal for both traditional and modern looks.
“Encore is a color for any space or application. Timeless and familiar, Epic Adventure’s deep atmospheric blue hue infuses a backdrop of joy and playfulness into any living space, both interior and exterior,” said Kim.
