Design Notes
The start of a new year brings renewed energy and inspiration—especially for those in the world of design. One of the most anticipated announcements each January is the unveiling of the Color of the Year by leading paint and design companies. These carefully selected hues don’t just influence interior design; they ripple across industries such as fashion, furnishings, and lifestyle trends.
Each color choice reflects broader cultural moods, shifting lifestyles, and emerging design movements. As designers and homeowners look for meaningful ways to refresh their spaces, Color of the Year selections often spark common questions—how to use them, where they work best, and whether they’ll stand the test of time.
In this post, we’re taking a closer look at three standout color choices for 2025 and offering practical, stylish ideas for incorporating these trending tones into your home design.
Pantone: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating
“A marriage of color conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.”
This year, Pantone took a unique approach by selecting two Colors of the Year—Ultimate Gray and Illuminating, a vibrant yellow. Their choice was inspired by a collective desire for stability and optimism—a “message of positivity” intended to uplift and reassure.
Yellow has long been associated with joy, energy, and sunshine, making it a beautiful accent in any room. Whether used in textiles, artwork, or décor, Illuminating instantly brightens a space and evokes warmth and cheer. Ultimate Gray, on the other hand, offers a grounded, timeless foundation. Much like stone, it symbolizes strength, resilience, and dependability.
Together, these colors strike a thoughtful balance—creating spaces that feel both welcoming and enduring. Consider pairing the two in:
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Kitchens: Yellow bar stools or a tiled backsplash paired with gray cabinetry or countertops.
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Living Rooms: Gray upholstered furniture with yellow accent pillows or throws.
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Bathrooms: Soft gray walls with yellow towels or accessories for a fresh and clean look.
Want to dive deeper into Pantone’s selection? Read more about their inspiration here.
Benjamin Moore: Aegean Teal
“Intriguing, balanced, and deeply soothing”
Blue is a color that evokes a sense of calm wherever it is present, creating thoughts of the ocean and spa days. Their goal is to create an atmosphere of familiarity and comfort, two essential elements for the home. Life can be hectic and stressful, which means it is essential to have areas in the home where we can unwind and relax. Blue has the ability to help us relax, so consider adding a touch of calm in your home through the use of Aegean Teal. Read about some of the other colors Benjamin Moore recommends to complement their color of the year.
Sherwin-Williams: Urbane Bronze
“Capturing that simple sophistication every space is searching for”
Sherwin-Williams chose to take some advice from nature and go back to a color that is warm and tranquil. This is a great choice since many want to build more eco-friendly homes and incorporate that natural feel into their interior design. This color works well with an array of hues and shades as well as design elements such as lighting, decor items, and furniture since it is considered a neutral color. If you enjoy nature and want to create a design that takes you back to a simpler time, this color of the year is for you. Read more about why Sherwin-Williams made Urbane Bronze their choice.
How To Incorporate The Color Of The Year
Knowing the Color of the Year is one thing—but figuring out how to thoughtfully incorporate it into your home is where the real creativity begins. Whether you’re drawn to a bold hue or a more subdued tone, there are numerous stylish and approachable ways to incorporate these trending colors into your space.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Accent Walls
You don’t need to repaint an entire room to make an impact. A single accent wall can add depth and create a stunning focal point. Use it to highlight architectural features or to define a particular area in an open-concept space.
2. Decor Accesories
Small décor items are an easy and flexible way to add color. Think throw pillows, area rugs, vases, artwork, or even a patterned lampshade. These pieces are affordable, seasonal, and easy to swap out as your style evolves.
3. Statement Furniture
Incorporate the Color of the Year through statement furniture pieces. A gray sofa or bold yellow accent chair adds sophistication and energy to your space. Even built-in shelving with a colored backdrop can make a subtle yet impactful statement.
4. Window Treatments
Often overlooked, window treatments offer another opportunity to layer in color. From soft, neutral drapes to bold, patterned valances, the right window treatments can frame your space beautifully and pull a color story together.
5. Front Door
One of the simplest yet most striking updates? Paint your front door. It’s a fun, low-commitment way to add personality to your home’s exterior—and a splash of color that sets the tone before anyone even steps inside.
These are just a few of the many ways you can incorporate the Color of the Year into your home. Whether you’re going bold or subtle, the possibilities are endless—and always customizable to your style.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Walker WoodworkingRugs have long been a staple in interior design, often described as the “shoes” of a room—they complete the look. Whether subtly complementing a color palette or boldly standing out as a statement piece, rugs add warmth, texture, and personality to any space. A well-chosen rug can effortlessly transform the entire feel of a room.
However, traditional rugs come with their share of drawbacks. From frequent deep cleaning (which often means renting equipment and moving heavy furniture) to concerns about allergies and curled edges that pose tripping hazards, maintaining a rug can be more work than many homeowners anticipate.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce an elegant, low-maintenance alternative: Vintage Vinyl floor cloths.
In today’s tech-savvy world, it’s easy to find decorating tips and budget advice with just a few clicks. Popular shows on networks like HGTV make home remodeling look fast and effortless—transforming entire kitchens or bathrooms in under an hour. While these shows are inspiring, what often goes unseen is the extensive planning and detail required behind the scenes to bring those transformations to life.
At the heart of nearly every successful project is one key factor: staying on budget.
Window treatments not only provide shade and privacy, but they also allow the homeowner to show their personality. No person is the same, and neither should their window treatments. They are meant to be a reflection of you and your style. Whether you prefer a more contemporary or traditional style, solar or soft roman shades, wood or pleated, Graber’s vast array of colors, options, and designs will surely suit anyone’s taste. Learn more about Graber on our product page or come visit us in our showroom located in Shelby, NC, and ask to see our Graber display. We would love to help you add the finishing touches to that space where nature and home meet.
Walker Woodworking
Walker Woodworking