Mocha Mousse: Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025

Pantone has once again honored its long-standing tradition of unveiling the “Color of the Year,” a practice that has captivated design enthusiasts and professionals for over 25 years. For 2025, the global authority on color has chosen Mocha Mousse, an “evocative soft brown” that reflects the evolving aesthetic and emotional needs of the time.

Mocha Mousse promises to envelop the design world in a rich, luxurious sense of calm and connection. In an era where life can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, this serene hue emerges as a soothing counterbalance, inviting us to slow down and savor the moment.

Pantone described this soothing hue as “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth.” The choice of Mocha Mousse underscores a desire for grounding and serenity in an increasingly fast-paced and uncertain world, evoking feelings of stability and quiet luxury. By selecting this color, Pantone inspires creativity and sets trends across industries, from fashion and interior design to branding and digital media.

“A warming rich brown hue, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse nurtures with its suggestion of the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort,” it added.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said the color evokes “thoughtful indulgence.”

“Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace the aspirational and luxe,” she said in the statement.

Mocha Mousse masterfully bridges grounded earthiness with a touch of refined elegance, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of applications. Its warm and inviting tones lend themselves perfectly to contemporary interiors, creating spaces that feel both modern and tranquil, while also complementing timeless fashion with understated sophistication. This color not only embodies a return to simplicity and warmth but also reflects a collective desire for design that feels personal, meaningful, and enduring.

I must admit, the name Mocha Mousse doesn’t exactly reverberate with me—it sounds more like a distant relative of Mickey Mouse than a sophisticated color trend. But who am I to question the wisdom of the color deities? The Pantone gods have spoken, and their proclamation stands. So here we are, bowing before the almighty Mocha Mousse, the self-proclaimed “Kacky Kolor of Kool.” Whether you love it or find it a bit too quirky, there’s no denying it’s poised to paint the design world in its warm, chocolatey hues.