RentBlog: Indulge Yourself in 2025

©️ 2024-2025 Rent.com / Wesley Masters

After a highly anticipated waiting period, Pantone has revealed its 2025 Color of the Year as Mocha Mousse. This warm, earthy tone is poised to take center stage in design and decor. But what makes Mocha Mousse so special, and how can you incorporate it into your home? Whether you’re searching for a home in Nashville, looking to revamp a rental home in New Orleans, or finding a Raleigh, NC apartment to make your own, this guide to incorporating Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, has everything you need. With expert insights and tips, you’ll learn how to create an inviting atmosphere that blends timeless elegance with versatile design.

What is Mocha Mousse?

Mocha Mousse is a soft, muted brown with undertones of gray and taupe. Its versatility lies in its neutrality, offering a perfect balance between warm and cool tones. This color evokes a sense of coziness and sophistication, making it a natural choice for creating comforting yet contemporary environments.

“Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is one of the most versatile to date,” Ryan Shapiro with Ryan Shapiro Photography explains. “With its warm, distinct earth-tone hue, it offers renters and homeowners a distinct color profile that not only can stand on its own but provides a myriad of complementary colors to enhance its presence in spaces — big or small.

As minimalism and neutral palettes are on the way out in 2025 in favor of more inviting, warm color tones, Mocha Mousse presents a delectable ‘visual’ stimulus to draw the eye to a more calming place. Think biophilic and the importance of bringing the outside in and feeling one with nature. Mocha often instills a sense of timelessness, luxury, and calmness,” Shapiro concludes.

In color theory, brown shades like Mocha Mousse are associated with stability, reliability, and grounded energy. The gray undertones add a modern touch, preventing the hue from feeling too traditional or heavy. As a result, Mocha Mousse fits seamlessly into a variety of design styles, from minimalist to maximalist, rustic to urban.

Why Mocha Mousse matters in 2025

Pantone’s selection of Mocha Mousse reflects broader trends in design and culture. In a world increasingly focused on mindfulness and sustainability, this earthy tone speaks to our desire for calm and connection. It’s a reminder to slow down, appreciate nature’s beauty, and find serenity in simplicity.

Image courtesy of Living Bright Interiors

What experts think about the color selection

“As an earth-tone individual myself, I completely resonate with Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse! There’s something so warm, grounding, and timeless about those hues. Mocha Mousse 2025 sounds absolutely fantastic—I can already imagine the richness and versatility it will bring to any palette. Bring it on, indeed!”

– Cynthia Wiley with N2Decor, LLC

“Mocha Mousse isn’t just a color — it’s an emotion. This grounding, earthy brown creates a sense of calm and connection, perfect for curating spaces that feel rooted and intentional. Whether used as a feature wall, through textural accents like woven baskets and rugs or paired with muted greens and creamy neutrals, Mocha Mousse evokes a sense of nostalgia while feeling effortlessly modern. As someone passionate about creating interiors that spark emotion and tell a story, I see this shade as a perfect reflection of our collective desire for warmth and authenticity.”

– Crystal Bright with Living Bright Interiors.

“Mocha Mousse is a fabulous choice of color that reflects our desire for comfort and ease in our surroundings right now. It brings a soft, warm comfort to any space such as bathrooms, home offices, and kitchen cabinets. Paired with creamy whites such as Cannoli Cream, or other warm colors, such as olive green or peach, this creates a peaceful atmosphere. Mocha would also soften and add warmth to high ceilings and darker rooms.”

– Ellyn Baillio, CID with Ellyn B Designs.

“Mocha Mousse is the perfect match for the 2025 color of the year. Its richness tells the story of where color is taking back the center stage in home design where we will see warmth and depth, creating spaces that feel inviting and sophisticated.” 

– Sarah Grendahl, Creative Interior Designer with Grendahl Design Co. 

How to use Mocha Mousse in your home

The beauty of Mocha Mousse lies in its adaptability. Here are some inspired ways to incorporate this color into your home:

1. Paint with purpose

For a bold statement, consider painting an accent wall or an entire room in Mocha Mousse. It pairs beautifully with crisp whites, muted greens, and deep blues, creating a harmonious and balanced palette. This color is particularly well-suited for bedrooms and living rooms, where its calming qualities can shine.

2. Furniture and upholstery

Introduce the rich color of Mocha Mousse through furniture pieces like sofas, armchairs, or ottomans. Its neutral tone makes it an excellent choice for upholstered items that will anchor your space without overwhelming it. Pair these pieces with textured throws or patterned cushions for added depth.

3. Textiles and accessories

If you’re not ready to commit to a large-scale use of Mocha Mousse, start small with textiles and accessories. Think of area rugs, curtains, or bedding in this soothing shade. “Adding a quilt, quilted wall hanging, and pillow covers to your home is a perfect way to incorporate the warmth of Mocha Mousse into your decor,” Annelies Deruyter of Brown Bird Designs explains. “These items are not only stylish but also practical—they’re lightweight, foldable, and easy to store.

“Use plush fabrics like velvet or wool in black and brown to enhance the moodiness,” shares Kristen Crowder, Principal Designer with KBC Designs. The rich textures create a tactile experience that deepens the warmth and sophistication of Mocha Mousse.

4. Kitchen and dining areas

Mocha Mousse is a fantastic choice for kitchens and dining rooms. Incorporate it through cabinetry, backsplashes, or even dishware. “Mocha Mousse can easily add a touch of warmth to their living spaces,” Dan Bochichio with Bocain Designs details. “This color works beautifully as an accent wall and can create a grounded and inviting feeling. In kitchens or dining areas, Mocha Mousse can complement natural wood tones or modern black accents, creating a space that feels both stylish and welcoming.”

Molly O’Rourke with Molly + Maeve Design Studio echoes the sentiment that Mocha Mousse pairs perfectly with a kitchen space. “We love a creamy brown, like Pantone’s Mocha Mousse, to use in a variety of spaces. We are especially loving Mocha Mouse for kitchen cabinets, trim, and doors in a higher sheen paint. Its rich, earthy tone pairs beautifully with creams, terracotta, and mustard tones to enhance its natural warmth.”

5. Entryway areas

Those who love to create stunning entryways shouldn’t overlook utilizing Mocha Mousse. “Adding the Mocha Mousse color at the main entrance foyer can provide for an attractive, elegant twist whether as regular paint or even adding in-depth texture by applying it in colored Venetian plaster. This can also add a vintage welcome to any home,” recommends Julio Durazo with Old Pueblo Stucco. Its warm undertones complement wood finishes and metal accents, creating a space that feels both inviting and refined.

5. Art and decor

Bring in Mocha Mousse through artwork, vases, or other decorative objects. This is an easy way to experiment with the color without making permanent changes. Look for pieces that combine Mocha Mousse with complementary colors for a cohesive look.

6. Lighting

Lighting can enhance Mocha Mousse’s warmth and depth. Kristen Crowder with KBC Designs recommends, “Opting for soft, warm lighting to complement the darker colors.” Accent lighting, like spotlights or LED strips, can highlight Mocha Mousse walls or furniture, adding depth. For kitchens or workspaces, task lighting like under-cabinet lights will complement its earthy tones, while sheer curtains can help natural light bring out its softer hues.

Pairing Mocha Mousse with other colors

To maximize its impact, pair Mocha Mousse with the right complementary shades. Here are some ideas:

• Earthy greens: Sage, olive, and moss greens create a nature-inspired palette that’s both soothing and contemporary.

• Soft pastels and complimentary hues: “Mocha mousse is a versatile hue,” Hilary Hays Greenhalgh with Little Green House Interiors Co. explains. “I would pair the color with patterned wallpaper or coordinating paint color with a complimentary hue, such as a purple-based brown, like a beet color, a deep yellow, or a rose pink.”

• Bold contrasts: Deep navy, charcoal gray, and even black provide a striking contrast, adding a touch of drama.

• Metals: “Mocha Mousse, elevates trending “warm tones” to a delicious, comforting, and surprisingly versatile peak. Equally at home in a kitchen, as it is in a primary suite, the rich, pinky-brown tone can be earthy and grounded when paired with soft blues, greens, plums, and golds. Or it can take a completely glamourous, (but equally lovely), turn alongside soft neutrals and luxurious metals,” shares Leah Dunne with Kate Roos Design.

What makes the color Mocha Mousse so easy to utilize in design?

When it comes to pairing colors, mixing textures, and crafting a cohesive aesthetic, Mocha Mousse lays the perfect foundation for effortless design. “We have seen a decline in the bright white walls paired with cool grays and blues and have been seeing warmer beiges and taupes for neutral wall colors along with earth tones,” Kelley Kolettis with Kelley Kolettis Designs explains.

She continues: “Mocha Mousse is continuing the trend into a warmer neutral that will pair well with so many styles: a light and airy color scheme of creams and taupes, a more contrasting color scheme with black and white, a nature-inspired color scheme with navy blue and sage green, or a more traditional color scheme with burgundy and chocolate brown. So many possibilities to incorporate the 2025 color of the year.”

When it comes to pairing shades, nothing is off-limits with this rich neutral. “What a welcoming shade Pantone has gifted us with for the 2025 color of the year,” Amy Ellzey with Colour Me Beautiful – LA exclaims.

“Comforting our public and private spaces in our home with this warm muted color will make us feel surrounded by a sympathetic hug. If you’re seeking the solace of natural neutral shades in your home, combine ‘Mocha Mousse’ with warm tone-on-tone shades of beige, espresso, and cream. But, if you’re inspired by the energy of ‘color popping’, why not accent with cobalt blue, lime green, and hot pink? Either way, you are going to love updating your own personal retreat with this modern cozy earthy tone.”

Aside from its versatility, this color can be used in a range of designs. Whether you’re a strong minimalist with a love for simple color schemes and clean lines or a staunch maximalist who lives for vibrant and bold approaches to design, this color is for everyone.

“Mocha Mousse can be used all over a space on the walls or large furniture pieces to create a grounding effect and add depth and warmth to the interiors, pair it with soft creams for a minimalist vibe,” explains Studio Em Interiors. “If you are looking for something more dramatic (which I love), it can be used as more of an accent to the space in furnishings and accessories while pairing it with bold jewel tones on the walls and main furnishings, like emerald or sapphire to give the space a luxurious and dramatic feel. It is a perfect color to bring the outdoors in and incorporate it with textured fabrics, natural wood, and earthy elements to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere whether you choose to be more minimalist or go bold and dramatic. “

Bringing the color Mocha Mousse to life

The color, Mocha Mousse, is more than just a color; it’s a statement about where design is headed in 2025. Its versatility and warmth make it an ideal choice for any home, whether you’re redecorating a single room or embarking on a complete makeover. By embracing this trend, you’ll not only stay ahead of the curve but also create spaces that feel timeless and inviting.

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Author:
Wesley Masters

Wesley Masters works on Redfin’s stellar Content Marketing team as a content writing specialist. She has been with Rent. since 2023 and her previous experiences include non-profit communications, graphic design, and content creation. Wesley lives in Atlanta, GA, and loves outdoor walks, hanging out with her loved ones, and finding new recipes to try on Pinterest. Her ideal home is a brownstone with contemporary interiors.