5 Paint Colors to Say Goodbye to in 2025

Many people embark on home improvement projects at the beginning of a new year—which means you might already be thinking about paint colors for your next renovation. To help you choose the right shade, paint industry experts are sharing the paint colors we should say goodbye to in the coming year, and which ones we should get ready to embrace in 2025.

The consensus is that the gray, black, and stark white hues—which have been trending in recent years—will be replaced with warm neutrals and rich, earthy hues in 2025. “The way we think about color and how we use color at home is constantly evolving,” says Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams.

Light grays are making way for soft shades of beige, while dramatic black hues will be replaced with equally dramatic, yet slightly softer, chocolate brown tones. Interiors are leaning into a cozy, warm, and inviting aesthetic, and there’s no better way to set this tone than with a a fresh coat of paint. To help you stay on trend, here are the paint colors going out with the old year and coming in with the new.

1. Ditch Grays for Taupes and Khaki

While shades of gray remain a classic neutral for interiors and exteriors, the trend pendulum is swinging away from the cool hue. “Grays were such a trendy color for about a decade, that this color family moved from trendy to a now-classic color for the home,” Banbury says. “We’re moving away from gray and neutrals with cool undertones as a trend toward warm neutrals, like modern beiges and taupes, to warm up the design of our spaces.”

With the current design trend moving away from cool neutrals and towards warmer tones, Banbury says Khaki is a color to embrace in 2025. “Consumers are seeking comfort and simplicity in the home and are looking to neutral backdrops rather than decor and furniture to create that feeling,” she says. For this reason, she expects khaki shades like Stucco to be popular in the coming year. “It’s going to be a big color trend for 2025 because it’s a minimalist warm neutral that signals rest and relaxation,” she says.

2. Trade Black for Chocolate Brown

Similar to gray tones, black hues provided a trendy way to bring a dramatic element into our homes. “Once consumers pick up on a trend, the interest in that color family expands to neighboring hues on the color wheel,” Banbury shares. She explains that while pure black has been one of the most popular paint colors for HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, shoppers are now moving towards other dark and dramatic hues instead. “We’re seeing consumer interest move from a true black to charcoal tones and chocolate brown,” she says.

“Rich, deep browns are really having a moment, which we’ve seen in street style this fall and that is translating to how consumers would like to design their homes,” Banbury says. She recommends chocolate brown shades in saturated hues that will evoke a mood and deliver warmth to any space.

3. Trade Cool Tones for Warm Reds and Purples

“Reds and purples have become popular due to their emotional depth and cultural relevance,” says Erika Woelfel, BEHR’s VP of color and creative services. “[This] is why BEHR selected Rumors as our 2025 Color of the Year, a deep ruby red. She explains that there’s telling evidence in both fashion and global design trends that suggests people’s desire for confidence and expression with color.

“Red’s passionate energy and purple’s creativity-inspiring qualities resonate with people seeking vibrancy and richness in their environments,” Woelfel says. She adds that these colors offer a dynamic aesthetic and a bold presence in both interiors and fashion.

4. Swap Stark Whites for Blues, Greens, and Yellows

Stark white is another paint color to say goodbye to in 2025 according to industry experts. “In 2025, I believe cool tones will be out and warmth will be in,” says Jamie Davis, co-founder of Portola Paints. “For example, stark whites and grays will be pushed aside for more saturated, earthy colors such as rich browns, blues, and greens.” The departure from stark white tones points to an overall trend toward cozy and inviting interiors which embrace rich hues, such as Portola’s Wellfleet and Newbury Port.

Banbury agrees, offering shades of yellow as an alternative to bright whites. Butter yellow was a big trend in the spring and summer, and Banbury suggests it has staying power as we begin to look ahead to warmer months in 2025. “The pastel yellows we can expect to see everywhere have a newfound sophistication due to their green undertones, which make this color family feel more grounded and connected to the Earth, such as Convivial Yellow,” she says.

5. Replace Accent Walls with Double Drenching

When it comes to painting trends for the coming year, Banbury shares a trend that signals a departure from painted accent walls. While not quite full color-drenching, the double-drenching color method is all about covering a space in a monochromatic color scheme.

“As we experiment with new ways to express ourselves through color at home, we’ll see more rooms painted in drop-down color, meaning walls will be coated in one hue and ceilings and architectural details, such as crown molding, will be painted in the next lighter or darker color in the same palette,” she says.