Every year for the past 25 years, Pantone has announced their Color of the Year. Last year it was Peach Fuzz. The year before that was Viva Magenta. For 2025 they have chosen Mocha Mousse.
It’s a choice with global implications, as designers throughout the world look to Pantone to set the mood for the coming year.
Elley Chang, president of Pantone, says, “Each year the color experts at the Pantone Color Institute (PCI) analyze global events, societal shifts and cultural dynamics to uncover the emotions and needs that are shaping our world. The Color of the Year is a reflection of the moment we’re living in.”
If that’s the case, then we’re in for quite a delicious year.
“PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse is a delectable brown that nurtures us with its suggestion of chocolate, cocoa and coffee,” says Laurie Pressman, vice president of PCI. “It is a color that brings feelings of contentment, inspiring a positive state of inner peace, calm and balance.”
If this is whetting one’s appetite, here are some home design suggestions incorporating this yummy hue, courtesy of Joybird, a Pantone partner specializing in custom, handcrafted furniture:
Put It in Neutral: One may treat Mocha Mousse as a foundational earth tone, by beginning with larger pieces like a sofa or sectional in this calming color. These pieces provide a neutral canvas, allowing one to layer in bold accents or complementary tones.
Start Small With Accents: If one prefers understated touches, Mocha Mousse shines in smaller accents like pillows, ottomans or even dining chair upholstery. Its warmth pairs beautifully with soft neutrals, muted greens and creams, creating a harmonious palette that soothes the senses.
Additionally, the hue’s earthy sophistication works well with metallic finishes—think brass table lamps or gold-framed mirrors—to add a touch of glam. Readers on a budget may choose to refresh existing furniture with customizable pillows, bringing a cozy mid-century charm to elevate any room.
Make a Statement With Seating: One may introduce a bold conversation starter with an iconic chair in an oversized design and cozy curves. For smaller spaces, a swivel chair offers the same sophisticated charm in a more compact size.
Subtle Touches: Readers who prefer an understated pop of color may try an ottoman to add layers of depth and texture to rooms. One of the best aspects of Mocha Mousse is its ability to adapt to various styles, from modern minimalism to rustic charm.
To help homeowners, Pantone has created five unique color palettes that feature Mocha Mousse, each conveying its own distinctive feeling and mood. Below are the descriptions as posted on the Pantone website:
Relaxed Elegance: One may revel in their own special moments. Imbued with a sensorial richness, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse inspires us to curate experiences that boost personal comfort and wellness. From sweet treats to nature walks, the indulgence of simple pleasures can also be gifted and shared with others.
Floral Pathways: A cornucopia of suggestively scented floral tones, blended with a soft mocha and a shaded willow green, leads us down a cobblestone path.
Uniquely Balanced: Mocha Mousse nestles in, offsetting the vibrancy of this uniquely balanced, multi-colored and somewhat exotic grouping of tones both warm and cool.
Deliciousness: Tastefully tempting Mocha Mousse combines with other delicious hues in a delectable palette inspired by mouth-watering confections.
Subtle Contrasts: Sophisticated brown hues coalesce with nuanced contrasts of blue and gray for a classic and compatible statement.
Whether one is looking to create a comfy corner, redo an entire room or completely revamp a whole house, Pantone’s Mocha Mousse is sure to provide some chocolate inspiration.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of PCI, says, “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspiration and luxe.”
We often take color for granted, but Pantone reminds us that our moods are constantly affected by the world of colors around us.
“Color is the most important powerful communication tool,” says Pressman. “It is the first thing we see and the first thing we connect to. It is a visual language we all understand, one whose message crosses genders, generations and geographies.
“Learning more about the unique meanings of particular colors,” Pressman continues, “gives voice to help us to be a more expressive, closely connected society, one that provides people with a more holistic understanding of their peers and communities alike. As a globally recognized visual language, color can say what words cannot.”
Bring on the dessert.
For more information and inspiration:
pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2025.
Joybird
2000 Chestnut St., San Francisco; 415.960-6750; joybird.com.
