Pantone Color Institute has declared PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse the Color of the Year for 2025.

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A Little Background

Before diving into why the 2025 Color of the Year is Mocha Mousse, a little more background on the selection process is needed.

Pantone Color of the Year originally started off as an educational program with the purpose of drawing attention to how current events in global culture can be expressed through color. Nowadays, a global team of color experts at the Pantone Color Institute look all over the world for inspiration. This includes places like the entertainment and film industry, art collections, fashion, lifestyles, travel destinations and even socio-economic conditions. Inspiration doesn’t just come from the arts; new technologies can also influence the Color of the Year.

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After much research and analysis on color trend forecasting, the global team come together and lend their different perspectives and weigh factors like color psychology and the mood of the global zeitgeist to identify the right color.

So Why Mocha Mousse?

Mocha Mousse, like all Color of the Years past, are deliberately named to tell a story.

Mocha Mousse is a warm brown hue that evokes the rich, satisfying qualities of chocolate and coffee. This color answers our desire for comfort. It is a gentle continuation of the 2024 Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, which conjured feelings of kindness and tenderness.

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And while Mocha Mousse is similar to Peach Fuzz in its peacefulness, this new shade represents a shift towards quiet luxury and sensorial richness. In Pantone’s Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman’s words, “…Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence… [and] extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe.” The message Pantone hopes to convey is to enjoy the little things—to treat yourself to small indulgences that bring an overall sense of comfort and make the world seem softer and lighter. 

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How Are Industries Using 2025 Color of the Year Mocha Mousse?

We are already seeings signs of brands utilizing the new color of the year.

Motorola, a long time Pantone partner, showcased Mocha Mousse with their latest line of phones.

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The beauty industry is forecasting a subtle, elegant Mocha Mousse trend. Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year is popping up in fashion in the form of Mocha Mousse hair, earthy brown lips, blush and more.

Renowned fashion houses like Bottega, Loewe and Tory Burch are embracing Mocha Mousse by incorporating it into everyday wear.

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Mocha Mousse in Interior Design

Mocha Mousse is endlessly adaptable to any occasion and situation.

Interior designers have been loving brown lately, and the 2025 Color of the Year fits right in with the latest trends. When used on walls, Mocha Mousse transforms the space into a warm and inviting open area. The mellow hue creates a sense of intimacy and gives an organic feel because of its earthy tone, echoing our commitment to eco-conscious practices.

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If you don’t want it to take center stage, this color can be incorporated in accents such as sofas, throw pillows, rugs, ceramics and more. 

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As noted by Pantone, Mocha Mousse has diverse applications, capable of being used alone or as a versatile foundation. Because of this, they recommend pairing Mocha Mousse with bright white for a modern look and natural feel. If white is too stark, Pantone created five unique color palettes that harmonize with the 2025 Color of the Year. Each have their own distinct feeling and mood, making customization a breeze.

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A New Era of Decadence

Remember: the message of this year’s color is to convey a move towards comfort and warmth, and this resonates in emerging design trends. Inspired by “little treat” culture, the Pantone 2025 Color of the Year encapsulates the global desire for contentment and connection. Unlike the other vibrant or deep colors chosen by other companies as color of the year, Mocha Mousse stands out because it bridges the gap between trends and timelessness with its rich, earthy hue. Indulge in the things that make you happy—this year is all about the simple pleasures.