color of the year

2026 Color of the Year

October 29, 2025 by Carol S Leave a Comment

While writing this post about the 2026 color of the year, it occured to us that maybe some of you (gasp!) might have thought we were trying to get you to click on this article! But we weren’t trying to create a clickbait post, promise! It’s just that around this time every year, dozens of articles about colors of the year appear. We’ve written about the color of the year before, too. And if you’re interested in interior design or even just painting your house, what are you supposed to do? Here are some ideas for you.

Look at the compilations

Martha Stewart has a fun compilation of every paint color of the year because of course she does! But you know what? That was last updated in September, 2025 and there’s still more time left in the year! Which makes us think. Is this like every store in town putting out their Christmas stuff in July? I mean, c’mon, Martha! At least publish something closer to the end of the year!

Choose three favorites

Whenever we’re presenting something to a client, we narrow down the choices. So if it’s you who needs a new paint color, why not first narrow the choices? For example, in Martha’s article linked above, we like Melodious Ivory, Warm Mahogany, and Epernay. You could look at the colors you definitely don’t want, and then take it from there. When you have three contenders, put it up to a vote with coworkers or family members. But remember–you have veto power!

Go back in time

You don’t even need a way-back machine for this one. There’s already an article that you can use! Here’s every single Pantone Colour of the Year for the past 25 years! It’s interesting to read some of the history, too. ‘It is one long, continuously flowing conversation among a group of colour-attuned people.’ says Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Colour Institute. So it’s not a bunch of people sitting in a room for one day, drinking, and voting like we all imagined. Although that might be entertaining, too!

Color blocking with window film

In case you were wondering, you can add color to your home or office with window film, too. For instance, you can try color blocking with window film. And since colors definitely influence your mood, and winter is coming, why not use some upbeat colors to make you feel perky? You don’t even need a prescription for this mood-altering solution!

Want to see what window film can do for you?

You can fill out our Quick Residential Estimate form if you need us to install some window film. Give us a call and we can give you advice on best color choices or window film. We’d love to help you choose the best film. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California (Costa Mesa) and Scottsdale, Arizona, too! Give us a call at our San Francisco location at 415.623.8700.

What Happened to Those Color of the Year Predictions?

December 31, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

For those of you who are interested in color, fashion, and design, you may wonder what happened to those color of the year predictions many of us made way back in 2024? Seems as though some were instantly rejected, some were adopted, and many were sneered at. So what do you do when there are so many around? Do you simply pick your favorite or do you do eenie meenie minie mo or what? Here are some ideas for those of you experiencing confusion!

If in doubt, go with Pantone

After all, Pantone is the one who began all those color of the year pronouncements! So why not start there? Pantone’s color of the year for 2025 is Mocha Mousse. It’s a warm color that, in Pantone’s words, “embodies connection, comfort, and harmony.” And we have to say anything to do with coffee has us giving a collective thumbs up. But mocha mousse softer than espresso, and makes us think of dessert, too. If you look at the Pantone website, you’ll even see a video with swirling mocha mousse that looks better than any dessert you’d get at a coffee shop.

Nutshell, from Sherwin-Williams collection, reflects mocha mousse

Regarding chocolate brown colors like Nutshell, this mocha-ish color can be used along with Mocha Mousse, or with Sherwin-Williams’ other beautiful colors. For instance, you couldn’t go wrong with Sherwin-Williams stucco for your exterior and then a variety of chocolatey brown varieties for the interior of your home. If you added an espresso-scented candle, people would believe they were living in a coffee shop!

Behr shows colors that work well with Pantone’s color of the year

We particularly love Behr’s Color Trends Palette (check out the one for 2025) because so many of the colors work with the Pantone Color of the Year. Although we loved Behr’s prediction of a Ruby Red color, their color trends palette is an even better choice, in our opinion. For example, take a look at their Oxford Street color–a beautiful and rich golden brown. Gardener’s Soil is even more interesting, with its blackish brown hue.

Making the most of your windows

You can use window film to enhance your choice of interior/exterior colors, or in some cases, you can choose a neutral window film that you won’t even be able to see. Many window films do their best work when you can’t even see they’re there. See our last post, Making the Most of Your Windows for more info. On a side note, are you impressed that we used “their, they’re, and there” in the same sentence?

Still confused by all the color of the year predictions?

Give us a call and we can steer you and your color choices. We’d love to help you choose the best film for your home or building. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the San Mateo Peninsula and Marin–and have expanded into southern California, too! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Color of the Year Predictions 2025

August 28, 2024 by Carol S Leave a Comment

Every paint company, interior designer, and even foodie influencer has their prediction for the 2025 color of the year. So what’s a regular person to do? We’ve collected a bunch of these color-of-the-year predictions and we’re not even selling paint, interior design, or food, although we like all those things! We’ll give our own opinions, too, even though you didn’t ask for them. Also: you’re welcome!

We wrote about colors in the past, too. You might like Pantone’s Color of the Year 2023.

HGTV Home Collection by Sherwin Williams

Not content to have just one color, Sherwin Williams has given an entire collection of colors this fancy pants moniker. What do you think of it? Naturally Refined is the collection’s name and Quietude is the brand’s 2025 Color of the Year. This collection seems rather safe, since its focus is so wide. But our favorite is the Reading Nook with its Nutshell color (scroll down in the article), with the Nursery with Spiced Cider coming in second. Both rooms have unusual color combinations.

Martha Stewart talks about Behr’s Color of the Year

Behr Paint, which has chosen Rumors as its 2025 Color of the Year, has picked a beautiful ruby red color. We couldn’t be more pleased with this one. It’s rich and romantic and evocative of a bygone era, while also being modern. How can that be? No clue, but it works beautifully. So beautifully that Martha Stewart included it in one of her articles.

Valspar chooses a deep blue

Another deep, jewel tone color is Valspar’s gorgeous, ultramarine blue. It’s a soothing and relaxing blue that will make you want to relax wherever you use this color. And the article also gives some harmonizing colors which you might like. This is another winner.

Stainmaster picks Truffle

Don’t you wish you had the job of choosing paint names? Truffle is another deep color choice that envelopes you with earthy goodness. And it’s not just the kind of earthy goodness that pigs like, but humans like it as well! It’s a beautiful deep brown color that is available only at Lowe’s.

Mochi by Little Green

One of our favorites is Mochi, which probably looks very different depending on the light. It has peachy-pink undertones, and you could probably relax while eating your mochi in your mochi-painted kitchen. This is a neutral which would work anywhere in the house or office. Check out the color combinations on the Mochi website, too. You could even pair Mochi with other brownish colors, such as Nutshell or Truffle for tone-on-tone fabulousness.

Have questions?

You can use decorative window film to harmonize with whatever colors you choose for your home or office. Give us a call and we’ll give you some ideas! We’d love to help you choose the best window film for your home or office. We work all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area, from San Jose to the East Bay to the Peninsula and Marin–and beyond! Give us a call at 415.623.8700.

Ten Best Colors of the Year 2023

October 18, 2022 by Carol S 1 Comment

We’ve seen so many Color of the Year posts so far this year that we’ve put together a few you might like. Here they are, in no particular order. And by the way, we’ve covered the color of the year before:

Benjamin Moore color of the year: Raspberry Blush

Architectural Digest covers Benjamin Moore’s color of the year by saying this: “The Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2023 is Raspberry Blush, an unapologetically brazen yet warm hue. Described by Magno as a “charismatic” color that “enlivens the senses,” it evokes its namesake’s fruity notes alongside trace elements of both radiant red and orange coral.” What do you think–is it fruity enough for you?

Dunn Edwards Chooses Terra Rosa

Dunn Edwards’ color of the year blends brown and burgundy for a rosy pink that works as both a grounding neutral and a delicate and delightful color. We all like this one a lot. As in a lot a lot!

Walmart’s color of the year? Canyon Ridge

Canyon Ridge is an orange-meets-pink paint color that acts as a near-neutral when applied to walls. The trendy spin on terra-cotta couples well with bright blue, its opposite on the color wheel. We can imagine this one in any new construction in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Beautiful.

Do you prefer a blank canvas as a color of the year?

Behr’s Blank Canvas is their color of the year

Think of a stretched frame about to be painted, and you’d have Behr’s Blank Canvas. It’s a creamy white that goes with everything. Although if you click on the link, it seems to lean more towards the yellow end of the spectrum.

Glidden chooses Vining Ivy

A soothing blend of blue and green, Vining Ivy could work well in a bedroom, living room, or office.

Dutch Boy Paints picks Rustic Greige

Neutrals still are wildly popular, so this Rustic Greige works well. It’s warm and envelopes you and your room in a soothing hue.

Backdrop Homes Color of the Year? It’s called Color of the Year!

We absolutely love this! In fact, a quote from backdrophome says it best: “This yellow-orange color is inspired by Bottega Veneta boots and rubber bands. In a world where balls of rubber bands are disappearing, it’s time we start honoring them. We set out to create the best color in the whole wide world and we sure did.”

Sherwin Williams settled on Redend Point

Redend Point seems very similar to Dunn Edwards’ Terra Rose, doesn’t it? Soulful, they say.

Valspar opts for a whole palette

Valspar has an entire palette of colors for 2023, including a home you can walk through so you can get a feel for them.

Do you like a color that makes a statement?

Pantone’s color of the year? Digital Lavender!

From the people who probably started the whole color of the year comes Digital Lavender: “Serenity, balance, and healing infuse the Pantone color,” say Twin Cities interior designers. Designers are calling it more restful than the darker shade Pantone picked last year.

What’s your favorite color of the year?

Are you going with a more neutral tone, or do you like something that makes a statement? Do let us know in the comments!

Focus on Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2020

October 30, 2019 by Carol S 1 Comment

Pantone’s color of the year for 2020 has not been released yet, but we’re excited to see the trends from everyone. And paint companies have been quick to jump on the Color of the Year bandwagon. You may remember the article we wrote about 2019’s Pantone Color of the Year. This year’s color for Benjamin Moore is a soft, warm pink called “First Light.”

Behind Benjamin Moore’s 2020 Choice

We absolutely love the warmth and coziness of this year’s Color of the Year. Check out this post from Benjamin Moore to see more: Color Trends and Color of the Year 2020, and scroll down for the color trends and palette for the next decade. Can’t you imagine that warm pink as an accent wall for a bedroom or even for a doctor’s office?

What It’s Not

First Light is not a bubble gum pink, or a strong pink that screams at you. It’s more a whisper of a pink. Uplifting and warm, it’s a pink that speaks of possibilities and positivity. How can a color do all that, you may ask? Think about a time when you were surrounded by the perfect color. That might have been a combination of wall color, natural light streaming in through a window, and artwork. How did you feel? Pretty great, right?

good mood photo — Photo by ᗩnneღJ.~ Poetic photography

Colors Affect Your Mood

When you have the right colors around you, your mood shifts. You wake up on the right side of bed and everything feels right. You might not even realize how much color affects your mood until you’re somewhere with the wrong colors. Take a look at this Smithsonian article: How Do Colors Affect Our Moods? Turns out, liking different colors is highly individualistic. Some people will love First Light, and some won’t.

Window Film Can Enhance Colors

Did you know that you can use subtle gradations of window film to enhance the colors in your home or office? There are many neutral shades of window film, designed to let in a little or a lot of light. Window film can fade into the background so you don’t know it’s there, or it can be its own design element. Just look at some of the Fasara window films, for instance.

Would You Use Pink in Your Decor?

Tell us how! Or how not. And we hope you’re feeling “in the pink.”

Fun with Living Coral: Pantone’s Color of the Year 2019

January 30, 2019 by Carol S 1 Comment

We simply adore Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2019. Have you seen it yet? It’s Living Coral! It’s fun and fresh and we love love love it!

How Do You Incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year Into Your Home?

Good question! This color is quite strong, like a wonderful sunset, so you might want to begin with just pops of color. For instance, you could use some throw pillows, like these we found on Amazon or shadow boxes which include Living Coral. You could also use some neutrals, like a Chalkboard Gray to make the Living Coral pop even more. Grays can be tricky, though, so you may want to move carefully before painting your entire place gray.

interior design terracotta photo — Photo by DesignFolly.com

Walls in Living Coral

Before you paint an entire wall in Living Coral, you may want to see how it looks first. We love the traditional styling of the walls above, with the classic wood furniture and ornate mirrors.

coral pink color photo — Photo by La Citta Vita

Flowers

You may want to add a pop of color, and flowers are a perfect way to add this lively shade of pink without a full commitment. Take a look at the Peruvian lilies above.

orange abstract photo

Artwork in Living Coral

How about a piece of artwork that you can move around freely and change from time to time? A poster or piece of framed art can make all the difference, and modernize your home.

grapefruit counter photo — Photo by City Foodsters

How about a Drink in Living Coral?

There’s also the route of even less resistance, with an adult beverage in Living Color! This way, you can immediately get rid of the evidence if it turns out the color is not to your taste!

Candles in Coral

What about these wonderful some wonderful candles for a pop of color? Again, once burned down, the candles can quietly disappear if you don’t like them.

orange abstract photo

Other Ways to Jazz up Your Space: Window Film

Here are some other ways to add drama to your space–with decorative window film!

How Are You Using Color in Your Space?

Leave us a comment!