It’s always fun to see how color is evolving and being used in the design world. This year’s announcement from the Pantone Color Institute on their Color of the Year 2025 introduces a newly inspired look at brown color hues. We already know what you’re thinking. Brown? But yes, this earth-centric color family has always played a huge role in the background of home design, and now it’s taking center stage.
Introducing Mocha Mousse
Described as “sophisticated and earthy,” the Color of the Year 2025 welcomes rich tones and warm comfort in the home. We think the best part is the color family of browns–which certainly includes a shade for everyone. Pantone focuses on the warming comfort of much-loved elements, such as coffee and chocolate, an invitation to indulge in the “little things” that often bring the most personal happiness.
What Does This Mean In Home Design?
We always love shifting the focus from fashion, art and makeup to the home design world. After all, our mission is to create environments for our clients that will improve lives and surround them with beautiful elements. Over the past decade, the design world included more gray tones than brown, moving toward cooler hues. Then, it started warming back up. Grays began blending with browns for the all-new lovely concept of “Greige.” This introduced a “best of both worlds” notion…the ideal style statement that allows personal design choice in the hues that surround us. With the Color of the Year 2025 announcement, we have received an official designation. Brown is back, and it’s beautiful.
Use the Whole Color Family
When decorating your home, do you find yourself asking, “Which colors go together?” That’s a great question when using contrasting tones, and it can differ from person to person, and from home to home. But, with the return of brown, one suggestion could be to use a monochromatic color scheme, that uses one color and varying hues within that color family to fill the space. The shift from one color to the next is very soft and subtle, summoning depth and dimension without harsh contrast.
Enhance Design with Textures
The color “brown” might seem boring. After all, it’s a neutral. Many of us have brown tones in our homes already. How did this ubiquitous neutral take the highest stage in color? It’s all about the WAY you feature it that makes all the difference. Metallics, upholstery, materials…the textures tell the story. The sheen, the finish…the way the light bounces off of each element showcases beauty, no matter the color.
The Unfinished Look
Today’s design is incorporating more unfinished materials, like live edge wood, jagged stone or matte building elements, such as stucco or brick. Inspired by the beauty of imperfection, these raw finishes encourage character and personal effects. Design styles that commonly feature these finishes are wabi sabi, southwestern, mediterranean rustic or tuscan influence.
How Will You Incorporate Mocha Mousse?
Do you have your eye on a new paint color for your home? Are you choosing new flooring, furniture or accents? How about new window treatments?
We love how brown has come back into home design, warming up the atmosphere and creating rich design. Window coverings are a great way to refresh the look of your home, framing the view or closing it out with a stunning backdrop. Our team from At Home Blinds & Decor will come to your home for a free design consultation. We can help guide you to fabrics and materials that will set a beautiful scene. Contact us today.
