What Home Colors Are Popular in 2025: Should You Paint Your Home to Match?
By Chris Petry
So, what color should you paint your home in 2025? Well, will you be living in the house for the foreseeable future? If the answer is “yes,” than you should paint your home whatever color you want! Plan to sell in the near future? Okay, then perhaps it’s worth reviewing the current trends to increase your home’s appeal.
What colors are currently trending? To answer that question, I checked out several reputable sources online, including paint manufacturers and sellers like Benjamin Moore, Dutch Boy and Sherwin-Williams. After all, if there’s anyone who knows what’s hot it’s the folks who are selling thousands of gallons of the stuff day in and day out.
The verdict? Earth tones are king again. Browns, greens and all their derivatives have seen the most traction so far, this calendar year. Cinnamon, timber, copper, beige, tan and saddle brown are making their presence known in living rooms, family and great rooms. Additionally, greens like pine, moss, blue green and seafoam are having a real moment. Off white tones like antique white, linen, mushroom, glacier white, sea salt and whitish tan are still very popular in hallways, bedrooms and kitchens.
How and why do certain colors catch on so well? Furthermore, why is it that people choose one color over another for a particular space? Well, for those questions, we’ll need to invoke a concept called “Color Theory.” Color theory is the study of color itself, how colors and shades of color are produced through mixing and the visual impact of said colors when used alone or in concert with other colors. To break things down even further, we’ll also discuss the subcategory of “color psychology.” Color psychology, as you may have guessed, deals with the psychological response to color and the actions we might take as a result of it.
Color Theory
First up, color theory. Did you know that Sir Isaac Newton is credited with creating the very first color wheel in 1704? Yes, THAT Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s original wheel is affectionately known as the “Newton Wheel” and features the primary colors of red, blue, and yellow and the secondary colors of orange, green and violet. In other words, the colors of the rainbow. The Newton wheel was devised as an optical experiment to test the human eye’s ability to interpret different waves of light in motion. If the wheel was spun fast enough, the wheel would appear white. This is why white is referred to as the “presence of all color” and black the “absence of all color.” At intermediate speeds, the colors of the rainbow change shades making the colors appear lighter or darker. These shades are referred to as tertiary colors. Think red-orange, blue-green, red-violet, etc. Red-orange might be known as “burnt orange.” Blue-green might be called “turquoise.” Red-violet could be called “crimson.” Today, artists and professional color matchers make great use of these concepts to create a plethora of different shades for application.
Color Psychology
Color psychology is more concerned with the psychological effects of the ultraviolet spectrum and its derivatives. For instance, did you know that the colors red and yellow are known to stimulate the appetite? Next time you get off the interstate, take notice of all the bright neon signage outside fast food joints and convenience stores. This is tactical. The reds and yellows send a signal to the brain, arousing hunger. This is also why it’s recommended that you do not us red or yellow in your kitchen’s color scheme. When it comes to plates and bowls, however, the findings indicate that increased contrast can reduce the amount of food we actually consume. Serving something with a red sauce on a red plate? You’ll likely eat more of it than if it were presented on a blue plate. White rice on a white plate? You’ll probably eat more of it.
When it comes to front doors, did you know that homes with a black front door command, on average, $6,000 more on the final sale price? Why would that be? Well, it seems people associate the simple and clean look of a black door with sophistication or luxury. Not to mention, it provides a strong contrast with literally any other color around it. Strong contrast ups the visual appeal. Suffice it to say, if you want to maximize your home’s curb appeal, you need a black front door.
With bedrooms, as stated above, people seem to prefer calming neutral earth tones. Light greens, beige, etc. This one actually shocks me because I would have guessed that people would prefer darker colors in their bedroom. Dark grays, navy, or even straight black. Why? Because they soak up all the light. Brighter colors will reflect light, illuminating the space. The bedroom is the last place I want light come 11:00 p.m. Alas, others find more comfort in a neutral bedroom palette.
When it comes to home exteriors, white and grey rule the roost. That’s because they’re simple and contrast well. They’re timeless and serve as a kind of blank canvas, allowing prospective homebuyers the opportunity to envision their own personal additions to the home.
So, what color should you paint your home in 2025? At the end of the day, it’s up to you. If you plan to stick around for a while or you’re living in your forever home, the perfect color is the color that feels most comforting and homey to you. If you plan to put your home on the market, you should observe trends and comparable sales (a REALTOR from your local branch of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stouffer Realty can help) to determine whether you’d be better off applying a new coat of pain. There’s a lot of psychology in sales and as we just discussed, there’s a lot of psychology in color choice. If you adhere to a color palette that speaks to both, your home will be insatiable to future buyers.
