Pantone’s trend-setting colour of the year for 2025 is out – meet the earthy yet delicious shade you’ll soon be seeing everywhere

Mocha Mousse is the shade setting the tone for the year ahead

Pantone colour of the year 2025 Mocha Mousse graphic with a cup of chocolate mousse
(Image credit: Pantone)

Of all the colours of the year (also known as COTY) that drop around this time of the year from the various brands, it’s Pantone’s that we impatiently await for to define the colour trends for the upcoming 12 months. This year Pantone has revealed it's colour of the year 2025 as Mocha Mousse.

The gourmand shade is inspired by cacao and coffee as reflected in its delicious name. Even Pantone’s official imagery of their new COTY mirrors this foodie inspiration as a coupe glass filled with chocolate mousse is the star of the show.

It’s a warming, smooth and soft brown hue that is set to influence everything from paint trends to fashion and even living room colour schemes given its cocooning feel.

Pantone colour of the year 2025 Mocha Mousse graphic with a cup of chocolate mousse

(Image credit: Pantone)

Given the expected colour trends and the predicted colour palette for 2025 of dark and earthy shades I’ve been seeing everywhere as of late, a brown shade was indeed my top guess for the new Pantone COTY, the 26th one from the global colour authority. So imagine my excitement when my prediction was confirmed!

Pantone x Joybird Sebastian Sofa Royale Mocha in a brown living room

(Image credit: Pantone x Joybird)

Why is Mocha Mousse the Pantone COTY for 2025?

Compared to the almost unexpected lightness and brightness of Pantone’s 2024 colour of the year, Peach Fuzz, the grounding Pantone Mocha Mousse shade reflects the current mood and desire for nurturing homes, cosy living room ideas and the like.

‘Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,’ says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. ‘Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Mocha Mousse extends our perception of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace the aspirational and luxe. Infused with subtle elegance and earthy refinement, it presents a discrete and tasteful touch of glamour. A flavourful brown shade, Mocha Mousse envelopes us with its sensorial warmth.’

It’s about the simple everyday pleasures like coffee and chocolate, as well as the connection to the earth as this shade marries both.

Pantone colour of the year 2025 Mocha Mousse graphic with chocolate mousse

(Image credit: Pantone)

How to use Mocha Mousse in your home?

I’ve already been seeing the colour brown popping up in interiors repeatedly in the last few months, especially in living rooms. And today’s announcement means we’ll be seeing a whole lot more of it.

‘Pantone’s Mocha Mousse is a warm, earthy shade that feels perfectly in tune with the growing desire for comforting and grounding interiors,’ says Uriel Tannen, Flitch co-founder and colour expert.

‘Its versatility makes it a brilliant backdrop for both traditional and contemporary spaces, pairing beautifully with neutrals, muted pastels, and even bolder tones like deep navy or forest green. In 2025, I think we’ll see more homeowners gravitating toward these cocooning shades, embracing a sense of calm and understated elegance that reflects a shift towards more mindful living.

'It’s a colour that invites relaxation, making it ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and cosy corners alike.’

Printed tea towels from Spoonflower's collaboration with Pantone hung on wall hooks against a botanical wallpaper from the same collection featuring Pantone's colour of the year 2025, Mocha Mousse

(Image credit: Pantone x Spoonflower)

But given its gourmand inspiration, I’d say this brown shade would work in a kitchen colour scheme just as well. It’s likely we’re even looking at the newest kitchen colour trend.

My top Mocha Mousse homeware picks:

What are your thoughts on the new trend-setting colour – is it a yay or nay from you?

Sara Hesikova
Content Editor

Sara Hesikova has been a Content Editor at Ideal Home since June 2024, starting at the title as a News Writer in July 2023. She is now also the Ideal Home Certified Expert in Training on Furniture, and so far has tested 80 different sofas.

Graduating from London College of Fashion with a bachelor’s degree in fashion journalism in 2016, she got her start in niche fashion and lifestyle magazines like Glass and Alvar as a writer and editor before making the leap into interiors, working with the likes of 91 Magazine and copywriting for luxury bed linen brand Yves Delorme among others.