Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 has been announced: Mocha Mousse! This rich, grounding shade has a soft pink undertone, reminiscent of Sherwin-Williams’ 2023 Color of the Year, Redend Point. It’s giving a sense of comfort and luxury—think your favorite creamy lipstick or a decadent piece of dark chocolate.
Pantone has long been the authority on color trends, serving as the ‘Miranda Priestly’ of the design world. When Pantone speaks, industries across home furnishings, fashion, and graphic design listen. Their yearly selection often reflects societal moods and global influences, offering a snapshot of where we are culturally and where we might be headed.
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Color Trends & Connection
The color trends we see year after year mirror the collective emotional state of the world. Think back to the 2010s: an economic downturn coincided with a surge in “timeless” grey dominating our homes. While the intent was to pare down and create a sense of calm, the result often felt uninspired and bleak. Millenials can be attributed to doing this in response to their childhood homes: overcrowded with possessions, creating an uncurated maximalist aesthetic that lacked cohesion.
Fast forward to 2025, and we find ourselves yearning for comfort, warmth, and intentionality. Experts say this desire stems from a need to reconnect with simple pleasures—whether it’s wrapping yourself in a cozy knit sweater or having a bite of emotional support chocolate. Mocha Mousse is the perfect representation of this mood, offering a sense of indulgence and grounding that feels right at home in today’s design landscape.
For the first time in 25 years, Pantone has selected a brown as its Color of the Year. Let’s look at how Mocha Mousse will influence the home industry in meaningful ways.
Brown Kitchens: Warmth at the Heart of the Home
Brown kitchens are making a comeback, and Mocha Mousse is the perfect shade to embrace this trend. In cabinetry, a muted brown with pink undertones can soften a space while adding depth and richness. Pair it with creamy white countertops and patina’d brass hardware for a look that feels both modern and timeless.
If a full kitchen overhaul isn’t on the table, consider smaller touches like open shelving with wooden elements, mocha-hued backsplash tiles, or even dining chairs upholstered in earthy tones – leather is perfect for this! These subtle infusions of brown bring warmth and elegance to the heart of the home without feeling overwhelming.
Brown Paint & Textiles: Cozy Layers of Comfort
Mocha Mousse is a versatile choice for walls, creating a cozy cocoon effect in bedrooms, living rooms, or reading nooks. It’s a particularly stunning option for accent walls, where its rich tones can serve as a backdrop for lighter furniture and decor.
In textiles, brown works beautifully for layered looks. Grab a mocha-toned throw to drape over a linen sofa, or velvet pillows in varying shades of taupe and chocolate. Rugs with earthy patterns and warm undertones can ground a room and add texture, while heavier fabrics like wool or boucle amplify the sense of comfort and luxury.
Mocha Mousse as a Perfect Neutral
A brown like Mocha Mousse works well across styles, from minimalist to transitional. Its versatility lies in its ability to complement both warm and cool palettes, giving off a “quiet luxury” vibe reminiscent of a finely knit sweater.
Brown also pairs beautifully with natural materials such as wood, leather, and stone, making it a seamless addition to modern homes that prioritize timeless, organic aesthetics. Whether you’re designing a rustic mountain retreat or a sleek urban apartment, Mocha Mousse provides the perfect neutral base to build upon.
In textiles, brown works beautifully for layered looks. Grab a mocha-toned throw to drape over a linen sofa, or velvet pillows in varying shades of taupe and chocolate. Rugs with earthy patterns and warm undertones can ground a room and add texture, while heavier fabrics like wool or boucle amplify the sense of comfort and luxury.
Shop the Look: Pantone's Color of the Year 2025
I had the pleasure of working on a client’s library and reading room recently, and Mocha Mousse was a natural fit for the space. The room had stunning light, a breathtaking view of the mountains, and was intended as a sanctuary for reading, relaxing, and spending cozy evenings with family.
In the design, we incorporated mocha-painted walls & ceiling to create a warm, enveloping backdrop. Light colored swivel chairs in a coordinating a creamy white invited curling up with a book, while floor-to-ceiling bookshelves in a rich walnut finish added structure and sophistication. The overall effect was a space that felt intimate, thoughtful, and incredibly inviting—perfect for their needs.
If you’re inspired to bring Mocha Mousse into your home, start small with accents like throw pillows or vases. Or, if you’re ready to commit, consider a full room refresh with paint or new furniture in this timeless hue.
Organic Mirror | Sofa | Concrete End Tables | Terracotta Table Lamp | Lumbar Pillow | White Textured Pillow | Grey Textured Pillow | Area Rug | Coffee Table | Acrylic Book Easel | Vase | Florals | Book Stack | Swivel Chairs | Leather Ottoman | Wood End Table | Ruffle Bowl | Mocha Mousse Blanket | Floor Lamp
How will you incorporate Mocha Mousse into your home this year? Let me know in the comments!
