In a shift away from the blues of 2024, many paint companies selected lively jewel tones for their colors of the year for 2025. Behr Paint Co., in particular, highlighted Rumors, a rich, ruby red with earthy undertones.
“We’re seeing people embrace color like never before,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr. “Rumors is a modern take on the timeless red that creates an energetic appeal to make a lasting statement in a stunning way.”
Woelfel predicts rich hues, such as Rumors, true browns, and darker neutrals will dominate this year, adding personality to any environment.
One application trend of these darker modern hues includes color drenching, or saturating an entire space with a single hue. Double drenching, which takes color drenching a step further by drenching all surfaces in two or three similar colors rather than just one, will rise as a creative way to saturate spaces.
Nature-inspired hues will still be prominent, as well-being continues to play a larger role in everyday lives. Grounding neutrals are also here to stay.
Commercial environments, like apartment lobbies and shared amenity spaces, will continue to be multifunctional as they blur the boundaries of where residents work, play, live, learn, and more. In the company’s first-ever Commercial Color Forecast, titled “No Clear Boundaries,” a palette of five color themes offers on-trend possibilities for multifamily, hospitality, workplace, and health care settings.
The five color themes range from neutral to bold and cool to warm tones, including:
- Limitless Whites: Warm whites that pair well with complementary colors as a never-failing foundation for all spaces.
- Bleisure: Familiar mid-tone colors inspired by adventure and reminiscent of natural surroundings that spark joy and optimism.
- Renew-trals: A new take on neutrals with a healing quality and nuanced approach for memorable appeal.
- Grand-Luxe: Classic and modern deep hues that draw captivating quality and alluring glamour to add sophistication and purpose.
- AI-sthetic: Soft and subtle pastels punctuated with unexpected bright accents, provoking dimension and intangible desire to inspire creativity.
Continuing the jewel tone trend, the Glidden Paint by PPG color of the year for 2025 is Purple Basil.
“So many people start their color selection journey looking at bold hues, but ultimately settle for a more expected or muted color,” says Ashley McCollum, PPG color expert, Glidden brand.
McCollum and Glidden color forecasters also predict that designers will lean into dramatic colors in 2025. They recommend to use bolder colors in almost any space looking for energy, including interior walls and trim, cabinetry, or exterior accents. For multifamily, this could be a hidden speakeasy, a mailroom café, or the trending mini markets residents are looking for today.
