
Color is powerful. It affects how we feel in our home and how others perceive our home lives. Choosing our house’s hues is important in any remodel or build.
Each year the Pantone Color Institute chooses its Color of the Year based on current and anticipated design trends, as well as the culture around us. Its pick for 2025 is a tone of brown: Mocha Mousse.
“Pantone describes Mocha Mousse as ‘an exquisite brown that radiates a quiet elegance,’ but the word we see most associated with the color is ‘comfort,’” said David Kallie, MCR, CKBR, CAPS, president and CEO of Dimension Inc. “Its shade is similar to the dessert it’s named after, as well as chocolate, coffee, soil, and wood. It’s soothing, earthy, and warm, with an air of sophistication.”
The following are a few ways you can spice up your home design with Mocha Mousse:
Pairings
Mocha Mousse can add a certain punch when paired with other colors. For an earthy feel, it can be paired with greens like olive, sage, or moss or an accent color of burnt orange.
“Many choose to pair Mocha Mousse with neutrals or soft blues and greens,” David said. “Colors like beige and cream balance out the darkness of the brown, while pairing it with light blues and greens can add depth to the space.”
You can even pair Mocha Mousse with darker colors like charcoal gray for a dramatic effect.
Warm metallics for your hardware or other touches around your home complement Mocha Mousse, adding to its elegant look.
Spaces
Looking to add a touch of Mocha Mousse to your remodeled or new rooms? Here is some inspiration:
Kitchen
If you’re looking to add depth and sophistication to your kitchen cabinetry or open shelving, Mocha Mousse is a great color option. “This hue of brown also pairs well with stainless steel appliances and natural stone islands or countertops,” David said.
Bedroom
“Mocha Mousse is all about comfort and relaxation, so it is a perfect color to use in the bedroom,” said David. Painting an accent wall in this hue will add a focal point to the room without overwhelming the space.
Living Room
There are multiple ways to use Mocha Mousse in living spaces. “One option is to paint the entire room brown,” David said. “This establishes a warm and cozy feel that is perfect for quiet evenings in or smaller gatherings.” The neutral backdrop also allows lighter design elements to stand out.
If the all-brown room is too much, try painting just one wall in the color. Pair it with beige or cream furniture to add some balance.
Dining Room
While a wall accent in Mocha Mousse works in this room as well, adding a statement piece in the tone is another popular choice.
“Make the gathering space—the table—a focal point painted in Mocha Mousse,” said David. “You can pair it with light table linens and matte black fixtures for a modern look or wooden chairs for a more rustic feel.”
Home Office
“Using Mocha Mousse in an office space is advantageous,” David said. “Brown fosters concentration, productivity, and focus.” Whether using the color in desk accessories or on an accent wall, working from home can be full of style when adding greenery and wood furniture to highlight the hue.
When you’re ready to incorporate Mocha Mousse or a favorite color in your new or remodeled home, contact Dimension Design-Build-Remodel at 262-402-6602 or email davidkallie@dimension-dbr.com.