We name checked it in our last post, and now we’re taking a deeper dive into the 2025 Pantone Colour of the Year. The colour of the year is actually pretty on the money in reflecting where trends are heading over the year ahead. And not just for bathrooms; you’ll see its influence on catwalks, publishing, branding and the wider world of interior design. We want to really understand the ability of the Pantone Colour Institute to reflect the zeitgeist and work out whether they’ve got it right again for bathrooms!
The Pantone Colour of the Year
2025 is the year of Mocha Mousse. Here’s what Pantone had to say about it:
“a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.”
Pantone’s Colour of the Year is never chosen at random. Mocha Mousse embodies our growing desire for grounding, stability, and connection to nature. The appeal of this colour tone lies in its delicate balance. It’s bold enough to make a statement in interiors but neutral and versatile enough to pair with other colours while maintaining a sense of refinement. Its creamy undertones soften its intensity, giving it a sense of comfort rather than overt dominance.
This colour reflects a broader cultural shift towards sustainable, earthy aesthetics, prioritising sentiment and substance over bold extremes.
Colour psychology and ambience
Colour is more complex than simply being appealing. The psychology of colour suggests that earthy tones like Mocha Mousse promote calmness, security, and warmth. These qualities are particularly desirable in private, restorative spaces like bathrooms. Here are specific ways its psychology can transform bathroom settings:
- A soothing spa-like retreat: Mocha Mousse’s brown tones emulate the grounding characteristics of natural soil and wood, turning your bathroom into a serene sanctuary.
- Encouraging relaxation: Its warm, creamy hue provides a comforting ambiance for unwinding with a long bath after a stressful day.
- Inviting elegance: Its hues, which give a suggestion of sophisticated plum, elevate bathroom design without being overpowering. This makes it suitable for both traditional and modern aesthetics.
Since Mocha Mousse has been deliberately chosen for its ability to create an atmosphere that feels grounded yet modern, it may well be the perfect antidote to clinical starkness.
Pairing and colour palettes
It’s pretty bold to decorate a room in a single colour. Clearly, most appealing room designs use a core colour pairing and overall palette to create balance. For Mocha Mousse, too, selecting complementary colours is key for achieving a cohesive aesthetic. Here are some palette ideas that work beautifully with this trending shade:
1. Timeless neutrals
Pair Mocha Mousse with beige, soft greys, and off-whites to maintain a monochromatic and minimalist feel. This combination evokes calmness and simplicity, perfect for a refined, understated look. For example, Mocha Mousse painted walls with off-white fixtures for contrast.
2. Earthy greens and terracotta
Enhance organic and natural focus by incorporating colours like sage green and terracotta. It’s an ideal palette for those drawn to rustic, earthy interiors. Consider how a mix of tile colours can work together to incorporate these tones.
3. Cool blues for balance
To add modern sophistication, balance the warmth of Mocha Mousse with cool hues like navy or dusty blue. A navy blue accent wall is a popular feature, and will sit well with browner tones in flooring and soft furnishings.
4. Gold highlights and metallics
There’s already a hint of the metallic in the plum tones of Mocha Mousse. Accentuate this elegance with gold, brass, or copper hardware. These metallic tones shine against browner hues to create a luxurious yet grounded appeal. A great place to incorporate the colour is in vanity splashback tiles as this will sit directly against brass taps.
Colour and light
Lighting is a crucial factor when designing any bathroom. While maximising natural light is always important, we tend to use bathrooms in the early and late hours when there is less prominent daylight. Understanding how this colour behaves under different lighting conditions ensures optimal aesthetics and functionality.
- Natural light: Mocha Mousse takes on a lighter, softer tone under natural light, making it ideal for bathrooms with large windows or skylights.
- Ambient lighting: Warm, diffused lighting enhances the earthy richness of this shade, creating a cosy and intimate atmosphere. Use dimmable LEDs to adjust brightness depending on the mood. Include lit recessed shelving to add to the depth of space.
- Accent lighting: Strategically place accent lights, such as wall-mounted fixtures, to highlight key areas like a backsplash or vanity painted in Mocha Mousse. Choose warmer bulbs to optimise cosy hues.
- Task lighting: Always important in a bathroom, lit mirrors and other task lighting is vital for grooming and other bathroom functionality.
When you’re looking to incorporate colour in your bathroom design, it’s important to consider how lighting interacts with that colour.
Using colour long term
Trends come and go, and clearly there’s a new colour chosen every year! But like any trend, there’s a journey at play. Interestingly, the colours chosen over the last few years – Peach Fuzz, Viva Magenta and Very Peri – work well with Mocha Mousse and each other to create a vibrant palette. So choosing a colour of the year as a focus of your room design doesn’t mean it’ll automatically date. If you’re nervous about colour, try these tips.
- Start with accents: Paint a single wall, use the colour in accessories like towels or rugs, or introduce it through small decor items. It’s a low commitment way to follow the trend.
- Choose semi-permanent features: If you want a bolder commitment, try painting less permanent elements like cabinetry, vanity panels, or feature tiles.
- Invest in versatile base elements: Stick to neutral flooring and fixtures that will pair well with other colours in case you want to experiment with future trends.
- Mix in texture: Introduce colour through textured materials like micro-cement or patterned tiles to add depth and versatility.
This approach allows you to enjoy trending colours without feeling locked into it as your style evolves.
At Stone & Chrome, we travel with our clients from ideas to design to installation. For showroom inspiration or to start your next bathroom project just get in touch.