The fashion and design scenes are gearing up for something truly exciting in 2025, with paint brands and trend experts unveiling colors that feel both new and comforting. Last year brought us everything from playful preppy pinks to deep moody shades, a blue obsession that wouldn’t quit, cozy warm tones, and those punchy ’90s vibes. Now, the noisy Y2K revival is quieting down, and creators are looking further back for inspiration. Art Deco is staging a glamorous comeback, while folksy patterns, Tudor-era richness, and Renaissance elegance sneak in too. At the heart of it all sits a palette everyone calls “muddied” soft, layered, and full of quiet strength.
Experts keep circling the same idea: colors with earthy depth rather than loud brightness. Ghislaine Viñas, an ELLE DECOR favorite, talks about muddier pinks, purples, greens, and yellows grounded in soil-like bases. Architect Hannes Peer loves shades that mimic the gentle wear of natural stone or wood. Etsy’s Dayna Isom Johnson sees shoppers craving moody earth tones that wrap you like a favorite blanket. These aren’t dull; they whisper sophistication and invite you to linger. Think desaturated greens, hushed ochers, and blues kissed by dust.
The shift feels personal, almost introspective. Hannes Peer wants hues that spark reflection and carry stories across decades. Even bold-color lover Viñas is softening her approach, saying brown might just eclipse millennial pink while she reaches for complex, rooted tones. The result is a collection of twelve colors that balance comfort and curiosity. They work in spring-summer wardrobes, living rooms, or anywhere you want warmth without overwhelm. Let’s walk through each one and see how they fit into everyday life.
1. The Grounding Presence of Truffle Brown
Brown has moved from quiet supporting role to leading man, and truffle brown leads the pack with its chocolate-taupe richness. It slipped into homes last year behind lighter neutrals, but now it claims center stage. Lowe’s Stainmaster picked “Truffle” as Color of the Year because it plays nicely with minimalist lines or rustic textures. Monica Reese says it layers over soft creams or deep jewels without missing a beat. Etsy shoppers snap up wooden ornaments, wool throws, and dried arrangements in similar shades, chasing that relaxed, creative calm.
Why Truffle Brown Feels Right Now:
- Anchors busy rooms without stealing the show
- Warms up cool metals like brass or steel
- Pairs with plants for instant biophilic vibe
- Hides everyday wear better than pale tones
- Evokes coffee shops and autumn walks
2. The Sensual Depth of Eggplant Purple
Purple has been flirting with us for seasons periwinkle suits, lilac sweaters, lavender prints and now eggplant steps forward with regal confidence. Paint giants crowned violet, purple basil, mauve finery, and a plum called Cinnamon Slate. Martyn Lawrence Bullard spots it on fabrics, lacquered walls, and upholstery, praising its warm drama. Stone expert Katibelle Sharkey treats it like a neutral in marble veins and cabinetry, mixing in green or orange streaks for extra personality.
Eggplant Purple in Action:
- Grounds bold patterns as a backdrop
- Adds mystery to dining nooks
- Softens black-and-white schemes
- Works in velvet for tactile richness
- Flatters skin tones in fashion
3. The Sophisticated Warmth of Dusty Red
Last year’s fire-engine reds cool into paprika and terra-cotta cousins that spice without scorching. Elizabeth Young travels the world spotting them in leather bags, woven textiles, and glazed tiles. She pairs dusty red with cream for gentleness or black for edge. Ghislaine Viñas uses terra-cotta on big furniture pieces to calm chaotic energy. Stone suppliers swirl it with burgundy and yellow for Art Deco flair.
Dusty Red’s Superpowers:
- Wakes up neutral palettes instantly
- Complements wood grains beautifully
- Feels cozy in winter, fresh in summer
- Hides small stains in high-traffic spots
- Photographs warmly for social feeds
4. The Playful Neutrality of Chartreuse
Chartreuse sneaks in as the wildcard half lemon, half lime, fully adaptable. It reads neutral next to deep tones yet pops alone. Sherwin-Williams’s Sue Wadden has tracked it across runways and sidewalks for seasons. Use it sparingly on a vase or boldly on an accent wall; either way it lifts spirits. Gold companions like bosc pear turn it downright luxurious. This quirky green-yellow hybrid refuses to be boxed in, acting as a bridge between bold and subdued.
Chartreuse Done Right:
- Refreshes tired kitchens
- Brightens home offices
- Balances heavy wood furniture
- Photographs vibrantly outdoors
- Signals optimism without shouting
5. The Calming Embrace of Dusty Blue
Hannes Peer bets dusty blue becomes the go-to for personal sanctuaries. It’s the opposite of electric cobalt think faded denim or morning sky after rain. Benjamin Moore’s Arianna Barone calls it universally appealing and perfect for hallways or living rooms. Place it where people transition; it eases the day’s edges. This muted shade carries the weight of history without feeling heavy, inviting pause in fast-paced homes.
Dusty Blue Everyday Magic:
- Enlarges small powder rooms
- Soothes bedtime routines
- Layers with linen textures
- Complements silver accents
- Evokes seaside memories
6. The Evolving Allure of Muddy Pink
Pink grows up, trading bubblegum for mocha-kissed warmth. Little Greene’s “Mochi” blends peach and light brown into something cocoon-like. Ruth Mottershead pairs it with greens and grays for tradition or dark chocolate for modern edge. Mara Brock Akil’s rosé room shows how blush walls can feel both feminine and serene. This version of pink doesn’t scream; it murmurs comfort and refined taste.
Muddy Pink Charm:
- Softens sharp architecture
- Warms minimalist bedrooms
- Plays nicely with terracotta pots
- Flatters all complexions in clothing
- Signals refined girlhood
7. The Timeless Drama of Warm and Sophisticated Reds
Burgundy and oxblood deepen the red story with wine-barrel richness. Behr’s “Rumors” headlines the shift from tomato to vintage. Sarah Storms loves their historical nod; Marie Flanigan drapes them in dining rooms for intimacy. Marble floors and timber beams make them sing. These reds carry centuries of elegance, perfect for spaces meant to impress without trying too hard.
Warm Reds at Home:
- Creates instant mood in libraries
- Elevates leather seating
- Pairs with brass for opulence
- Photographs dramatically
- Ages gracefully
8. The Comforting Appeal of Timeless Warm Neutrals
Grays step aside for mustard, rocky road beige, and rose taupe. Susan Jamieson feels their hug-like quality; Kerry Jacobs layers them tone-on-tone or with patterns. Little Greene sees richer neutrals cradling rattan and warm woods. These shades don’t just fill walls they cradle furniture, art, and memories with gentle arms.
Warm Neutrals Unlocked:
- Forgiving backdrop for art
- Hides scuffs in family areas
- Works with any wood tone
- Transitions seasons smoothly
- Feels expensive without effort
9. The Serene Touch of Seafoam Green
Seafoam drifts in like ocean mist, expanding rooms and calming minds. Dutch Boy’s “Mapped Blue” echoes its nature link. Marianne Shillingford says it recedes visually, making ceilings feel higher. Teal cousins add depth for those wanting more saturation. This color tricks the eye into breathing deeper, turning tight corners into airy escapes.
Seafoam Serenity:
- Ideal for meditation corners
- Refreshes bathrooms
- Complements white subway tile
- Soothes screen-weary eyes
- Evokes spa days
10. The Elegant Mystery of Dark Verdant Green
Deep forest greens replace navy with earthy intrigue. Christine Carney wants them on walls, ceilings, even floors. Color-drench studies in verdant hues feel like secret gardens indoors. Brass hardware glows against them. This green doesn’t shout sophistication; it envelops you in it, layer by luxurious layer. Dark verdant green crafts rooms that whisper elegance and invite lingering.
Verdant Drama:
- Envelops reading nooks
- Hides architectural flaws
- Pairs with velvet textures
- Photographs moody and rich
- Signals quiet confidence
11. The Irresistible Richness of Captivating Caramel Tones
Caramel shakes off dated labels, glowing like afternoon sun on wheat. Little Greene pairs it with wicker and stone for organic flow. It bridges pinks, blues, and browns without clash. This tone feels like wrapping yourself in a cashmere throw familiar, indulgent, and impossible to resist. Caramel tones turn houses into homes that smell like fresh-baked welcome.
Caramel Comfort:
- Warms modern concrete
- Softens sharp black lines
- Complements food displays
- Ages like fine leather
- Feels edible and inviting
12. The Uplifting Radiance of Happy Sunshine Shades
Bright yellows bounce in for pure happiness walls, fridges, even ceilings. Benjamin Moore’s Helen Shaw suggests full drench for endorphin hits. Beata Heuman paints guest rooms in buttery shades that feel sunny yet calm. These yellows don’t blind; they wake you gently, like dawn through kitchen curtains.
Sunshine Energy:
- Energizes entryways
- Highlights artwork beautifully
- Pairs with navy for contrast
- Lifts winter blues
- Signals playful sophistication
These twelve colors weave a story of balance earth meets sky, quiet meets spark, past meets future. They ask us to slow down, choose depth over flash, and build spaces that nurture the soul. Wardrobes gain pieces you’ll wear for years; rooms become chapters of your life. Spring-summer 2025 isn’t about chasing trends it’s about coming home to colors that already feel like yours.
Final thought: Step into any room or onto any street next year, and you’ll sense the shift. The loudest colors have taken a breath, making room for hues that listen. Muddied doesn’t mean muted; it means mature, layered, alive with memory. Pick one truffle sweater, one seafoam scarf, one caramel vase start small. Watch how they steady the chaos, warm the ordinary, and remind you that true style, like true comfort, grows quietly from the ground up.
