In an August 2024 forecast, interior designers pointed to five broad paint directions for 2025: deep greens, earthy browns and reds, yellow, bright red, and green limewash finishes. These were designers’ predictions—not a fixed list of five shades or proof that any color became universal. Their suggestions range from a small yellow accent to color-drenching a room, with sampling in your own lighting the practical first step.
What the 2025 paint predictions actually describe
The forecast grouped colors into families rather than naming five exact paints. Its examples included Farrow & Ball Dorset Cream, Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog, and Benjamin Moore Scenic Drive. The designers also discussed how to apply the colors and what to pair them with. The ideas are inspiration, not objective comparisons of paint products or a market-wide survey. The original forecast, published August 9, 2024, reflects designers looking ahead to 2025.
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1. Deep, moody greens
Margie Kaercher, founder of Hearth & Honey Homes, expected deep greens to suit interest in cozy, nature-inspired rooms. She said “deep, moody greens do exactly that,” referring to creating that atmosphere.
For a more enveloping effect, Kaercher suggested color-drenching a room in deep green. Natural wood tones and varied textures can add dimension so the room does not read as a single flat surface.
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2. Browns, rusty reds, and terracottas
Callie Blanks, founder of Callie Blanks Interiors, said she had already seen brown, rusty red, and terracotta shades emerging and expected them to continue. She described them as colors being used in “unusual and bold applications.”
If you use one of these shades across a room, Blanks recommended light natural linen in drapery or bedding. Tonal furniture and accessories can build a layered scheme; vary the shades slightly to keep the result from feeling flat.
3. Yellow, from a soft wall color to a small accent
Meghan Jay, founder of Meghan Jay Design, named Farrow & Ball Dorset Cream as a subdued yellow example. She described it as “not too saturated, not too citrus,” adding that it feels subdued and brings warmth to a room.
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Yellow does not have to cover a wall. Jay suggested trying it in a lamp or throw if you want a smaller, easier-to-change dose of color.
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4. Bright red on architectural trim
Jay anticipated more bright red in interiors and suggested using it on trim. A vivid trim color can call attention to architectural details while keeping the walls a different color. It is a more contained way to try a strong hue than painting the whole room red.
5. Limewash greens and other organic-looking finishes
Taylor Fusco, founder of Tay Fusco Design, said she had received more requests for organic-looking finishes such as green limewash and Roman clay. She identified Sherwin-Williams Evergreen Fog and Benjamin Moore Scenic Drive as green examples, and said she expected 2025 to bring “lots of variations of gorgeous green tones.”
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Fusco suggested light oak or blush and pink as possible complements. Limewash and Roman clay refer to finish approaches, so this direction is not just a matter of choosing a green paint chip: the texture and application are part of the look.
How to choose a direction for your room
Use the forecast as a starting point, then match the color family to the scale and character of the change you want. The designers’ suggestions offer different levels of commitment:
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| Direction | Suggested use | Pairing or practical note |
|---|---|---|
| Deep, moody green | Color-drench a room | Bring in natural wood and varied textures. |
| Brown, rusty red, or terracotta | Color-drench, or layer tonal furniture and accessories | Use light natural linen; vary nearby shades for dimension. |
| Yellow | Use on a wall or as a lamp or throw accent | Dorset Cream is the named subdued-yellow example. |
| Bright red | Use on trim | Emphasizes architectural details without requiring red walls. |
| Green limewash or Roman clay | Use an organic-looking textured finish | Light oak or blush and pink were suggested as complements. |
Before settling on a shade, compare it in the room where it will be used. Dulux recommends sample pots and movable A4 color stickers to view colors in different rooms and light sources; Sherwin-Williams lists paint samples and peel-and-stick samples. You can test a painted patch or move a sample sticker around the room, checking it under the lighting you actually use. This matters especially when choosing between a muted yellow, a deep green, and a bright accent: their appearance can shift with the room’s light.
These designer predictions also sit within a wider—but geographically distinct—set of 2025 forecasts. Dulux Australia’s forecast included yellow-greens, terracotta, biscuit yellow, and deep olive shades. Sherwin-Williams’ US Color Capsule included earthy brown Grounded, vibrant yellow-green Chartreuse, and golden Bosc Pear. The overlap shows related families appearing in separate brand palettes; it does not establish that the designers’ predictions came true or that these colors prevailed across markets.
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