Consumers will Create Harmony with Color in 2025

Posted: May 25, 2024

Pantone® View Home + Interiors Forecast

What’s ahead in 2025? Retailers who sell paint understand that color and inspiration influence consumer’s purchasing decisions. So, it’s little wonder that The Inspired Home Show burst with vibrant colors and innovative displays designed to fire the imagination. Lee Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, and the director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training, shared insights on the home color trends that will be popular with consumers in 2025.

“A New Harmony” was selected as the theme to represent the seven color palettes Pantone unveiled at the global home and housewares market. According to Eiseman, the palettes are inspired by several sources—including industry, movies, food, and, most significantly, nature. “Harmony is a beautiful word that conjures up certain pictures in your mind … being in tune with ourselves and with others within our immediate surroundings and the greater world around us. It also conveys a sense of balance, a sense of equilibrium, and a much sought-after need and aspiration for humans,” said Eiseman. “When it comes to design, much of the harmony that is created is certainly because of the educated and creative use of color.”

Nature creates abundant color. It runs the spectrum from muted to vibrant and any combination in between. Eisman mentions the inspiration found in rocks, flowers, plants, and other Earthly elements. Infusing their lives with color is consistent with consumers’ desires to seek harmony through balance and wellness. Outlets for self-expression and creativity can provide comfort and respite from feeling overwhelmed by technology.

Pantone anticipates that popular culture will heavily influence color trends in the year ahead. Eiseman notes upcoming movies such as “Asteroid City” and the new Batman movie. The first will be set in a desert town in the 1950s brimming with retro pastels; by contrast, Batman will be “dark and murky.” In contrast, the Smurfs and Toy Story sequels will be immersed in fun, bright colors. Does this mean neutrals are out? Eiseman suggests making them stand out by giving them a new feel; she especially likes using “off whites and cream alongside what we’re calling punked-up pastels.”

The seven palettes in the Pantone View Home + Interiors 2025 Forecast have colors for everyone. Each palette encompasses harmony and expresses that different people have different tastes in colors, similar to the types of music for which they are named.

Blended Notes—Eiseman describes this palette as “healthful and tranquil.” It features cool naturals, icy tones, and refreshing blue greens. It’s gently stimulating, like a breath of fresh air.
Easy Listening — This palette is all about serenity,” said Eisman. “It says, “Let’s relax. Let’s unwind.” It features a variety of soft and light-hearted pastels “with a gentle fizz.”
Tempo Timing — Inspired by kinetic energy and youthful athleticism, this palette is polished and crafted. Eisman explained that Dark conveys a sense of power, so this palette includes several dark tones. But it also contains a few lighter tones, like off-white and peach, so it’s not too dark.
Staccato — In what Eisman called “a different kind of mix, “ Staccato can be described as representing “sweet and sour.” It incorporates bright colors that can be used in color blocking and evokes feelings of design as play.
Stage Presence — Retro 1970s stylings and smooth jazz are influences in this earthy and eclectic palette that can easily be used in bold patterning. It features strong colors like tan with a little orange in it, but it’s still smooth, said Eiseman.
Perfect Pitch — Some might call this palette “gothic,” Eisman said, but she describes it as “smokey and high-brow with colors that appear to have a powdery finish.” It feels cinematic and mysterious while conveying a feeling of sophistication and luxury.
Crescendo — As its name conveys, Crescendo includes colors that seem to make noise. Though Eiseman called it “not quite as bold as Staccato,” this palette also features vibrant tones that seem to build toward a joyful journey. It has influences in both technology and music.