There is little more comforting for many than a cup of silky, creamy chocolate mousse. Even looking at a picture of this delightful treat can make you hungry. Perhaps it is not surprising that Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025 is Mocha Mousse 17-1230, a creamy, velvety brown that looks like it belongs swirled in a dessert glass.

What is the Color of the Year? It’s Pantone’s choice to represent the emotions and themes of the upcoming year. The company has been inspiring others with its selections since 2000. Since then, designers in every industry, from print to fashion to interior design, have looked to Pantone for inspiration.

How can you use Mocha Mousse?

·       Select it as a primary background color to evoke a warm and inviting atmosphere.

·       Try it as an accent color to add depth and sophistication.

·       Combine Mocha Mousse with warm complementary colors, such as Cannoli Cream and Safari, to create an ambiance of warmth and comfort.

·       Combine it with soft, feminine colors like Cornflower Blue, Viola, and Rose Tan for a soft, floral feel.

When you use Mocha Mousse in your color palette, you join leading-edge designers from Motorola, Joybird, Ispsy, Spoonflower, and Libratone, all of which incorporate this color into their product and marketing designs this year. The warmth of velvety chocolate is everywhere, from phone cases and earbuds to upholstered furniture and wallcoverings.

What are designers saying? “Pantone Color of the Year 2025 evokes grounding, calm, and emotional healing,” notes Natalie Benmayor, designer and founder of Capsule Eleven, making sustainable jewelry. “[It dissolves] fear and stress while nurturing inner strength and reassurance.”

Emma Gage, designer and founder of Melke, which produces sustainable eclectic fashion, concurs. She refers to Mocha Mousse as the “vibrant synergy of creativity and connection.”

Ahhhh that sounds wonderful, right?

How could you use Mocha Mousse to create connection and warmth in your designs this coming year?