Earlier this week, for its 26th anniversary the Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 was unveiled. A warming rich brown dubbed ‘PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse’, the shade is inspired by the insistent yearning to connect with natural surroundings while we all recover from sitting amidst digital clouds all day. Picking the perfect shade—whether for home interiors or something as trivial as a lip shade—is often a vexing process. This announcement is an amalgamation of our collective design experience and often provides direction to simplify the endless colour choices that creatives make daily.

The Warmth And Eternal Allure Of Brown

Following the softness of last year’s ‘Peach Fuzz’ and the vibrancy of ‘Viva Magenta’ this chocolatey, decadent, and cosy hue makes its debut, in some classic design trends. Its warm, earthy brown undertones have been omnipresent, spanning bold minimalism, Japandi, sustainable chic, and quiet luxury aesthetics—marking a shift from cooler tones to rich warm and pristine hues. “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” remarks Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director Pantone Colour Institute. This earthy hue weaves a harmonious tapestry, maintaining a perfect balance between fleeting contemporary aesthetics and the timeless elegance of artisanal craftsmanship. The constant quest for harmony influences our lives, “With that in mind, for Pantone Colour of the Year 2025 we look to a colour that reaches into our desire for comfort and wellness,” explains Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Colour Institute

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The Complementary Palette That Pairs Well

While the Pantone team traverses the globe, gathering insights and conducting interviews to crown the Colour of the Year, they unveil a curated medley of complementary palettes, from monochromatic to flamboyant shades. For a monochrome vibe, cool neutral shades like; Dull Gold, Laurel Oak, and Warm Taupe pay seamlessly. Meanwhile, softer hues like Bonbon (a soft pink) and Peach Cobbler hues are perfect for a maximalist’s haven. Rich tones like Tapestry (turquoise), Arone (powder blue), and the elegant Winery (a deep wine) beautifully balance earthy palettes, while infusing depth and vibrancy through accents like cushions, throws, or a centrepiece. This shade is an ode to the renaissance of mid-century modern and rustic aesthetics, where warm, neutral hues reign.

Navigating The Tints Of Tomorrow

The Colour of the Year, paired with collaborations across the tech, fashion, and home décor industry, effortlessly becomes a staple, adapting the rhythm of routine life. Pantone’s collaborations with Joybird on a custom seating collection and Spoonflower for bespoke neutral wallpaper designs underscore a commitment to infusing the colour into both functional and decorative elements. Thus, this harmonious shade aims to be conspicuous while “inspiring a positive state of inner peace, calm, and balance as well as being tuned in with the world around us,” explains Pressman. Pantone’s Mocha Mousse will tour globally—from the vibrant streets of New York to the dynamic pulse of Mumbai offering a serving of its warmth to every city.

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