Designers' Favorite Colors of the Year from the Past 10 Years

A calming bedroom painted a soft pink with cream built-in wardrobes and an arched window with a seating nook. A large bed with mauve bedding, blue cushions and two black wall lights. — (Image credit: Zack DeZon. Design: Dora Dmitriev Design)

Paint brands' annual Color of the Year announcements are always eagerly anticipated, giving a glimpse into the shades likely to lead the way in home decor and set the color trends over the year to come. And while some of these shades are forgotten about by the time the next announcement comes around, some have a much more lasting impact.

But what past Colors of the Year have proven to be more timeless than trendy? We asked interior designers for their favorites from the past ten years, and they range from pared-back neutrals to much richer, bolder hues. All of them, however, have an earthy quality that makes them livable and able to pair with many other colors. And so, before the influx of 2027 Color of the Year announcements is upon us, take a look at these timeless shades that designers come back to time after time.

1. Simply White by Benjamin Moore, 2016

A modern rustic kitchen with beige cabinets, white walls, pink backsplash tiles, brass hardware, and open shelving with decorative objects

Benjamin Moore's Simply White, the brand's Color of the Year in 2016, has become one of its best-selling colors. It's a white paint with subtle warm undertones, which makes it a go-to shade for lots of designers, including Katie Bromley of Spaces by Katie.

'Simply White has earned a permanent spot in our color palette – we specify it almost universally for trim and ceilings,' Katie says. 'We’re drawn to how it behaves in real spaces: it's a bright white but a faint warm undertone keeps it from ever feeling clinical or cold. A decade later, it still feels current because it was never trend-driven to begin with – Simply White works as a quiet backdrop for practically any design direction.'

Katie used Simply White in this kitchen. 'It's soft enough not to compete with the warm greige cabinetry and marble counters, yet bright enough to keep the room feeling fresh and sunlit,' she explains. 'Paired with warm wood floors and brass hardware, the white trim frames the architecture without ever drawing attention to itself – making the whole space feel finished.'

2. Mocha Mousse by Pantone, 2025

A living room with taupe wallpapered walls, dark brown trim, a large floor-to-ceiling window with cream curtains, a corner of built-ins, a beige sculptural sofa, modern armchairs, and a chest coffee table

When Pantone revealed its 2025 Color of the Year as Mocha Mousse, it cemented decorating with brown as a major interior design trend. 'Brown has often been treated as a practical backdrop, but Mocha Mousse gives it a wonderful sensuality – it recalls suede, walnut, cacao, and aged plaster,' says interior designer Anu Jain of Atelier Oleana. 'It creates warmth without sweetness and depth without unnecessary drama.'

Today, shades like Mocha Mousse still feel relevant, says Anu. 'We are moving away from flat, cool neutrals and toward colors that feel earthy, tactile, and emotionally grounding,' she adds. 'Mocha Mousse functions as a neutral, but it is not an anonymous one; it brings atmosphere and richness while remaining incredibly livable.'

In this living room, a similar shade, Benjamin Moore's Whipped Mocha, was used on the ceiling, along with Farrow & Ball's London Clay on the built-ins. 'My biggest tip is not to match the browns too perfectly,' says Anu. 'I prefer several related tones in different finishes – a deeper brown on the millwork, a softer shade overhead, and something more textural on the walls. That slight tension is what makes a tonal room feel layered rather than flat.'

3. Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams, 2016

A hallway with off-white walls, wood ceiling beams, wood flooring with a dark red runner rug, a vintage wicker chair, and a wooden console table with a vase of branches

Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster is another endlessly popular warm white paint, which was named Color of the Year in 2016. Since then, designers have repeatedly chosen this hue to create light but quietly warming backdrops.

'It's a warm, slightly creamy white that doesn't read as stark or clinical, which makes it one of the most genuinely versatile colors I've ever used,' says designer Cathleen Gruver of Gruver Cooley, who used it in this entryway. 'A decade later, it still works in everything from new construction to historic renovations, and it's one of the only Colors of the Year I can honestly say I've never stopped specifying.'

'In rooms with warm natural light, it glows,' says Cathleen. 'In north-facing rooms with cooler light, it stays grounded rather than tipping gray, which is where a lot of whites fail. Under incandescent or warm LED bulbs, it reads almost like a very pale linen, which is exactly what you want in a bedroom or living space in the evening.'

'The one context I'd avoid is a very dark or low-light room where you're hoping a white will brighten the space,' she adds. 'Alabaster's warmth means it absorbs some of the light rather than bouncing it, so in a truly dim room a crisper white will do more work.'

4. Rumors by Behr, 2025

A small powder room with burgundy panelled walls, a white freestanding sink with brass hardware, a vase of flowers, a mirror with two wall sconces on either side, and black and white tiled flooring.

A couple of years ago, burgundy made a major comeback in interiors, offering richness and moodiness. Behr's 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, is among the popular burgundy paints and a favorite of designer Luba Libarikian of Libarikian Interiors. 'It’s a very versatile burgundy that plays well in both modern and traditional interiors,' she says.

'It's a great color for people who hesitate to use bold colors in their home, but still want something that makes a statement,' Luba adds. 'When a space is color-washed in this color, it feels warm and inviting.'

Designer Diane Luna also highlights Rumors as a favorite Color of the Year. 'The dark ruby tones in Behr’s Rumors are most effective when used in a cozy-sized space such as a bedroom or small powder room,' she says. 'Powder room walls painted in Behr’s Rumors look incredible when paired with a statement sink. I love to install a pure white porcelain sink that has shapely legs – the contrast between white and burgundy is so beautiful. Brass faucets read like heirloom jewelry with a ruby-toned wall as the backdrop.'

5. Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams, 2022

A modern kitchen with beige cabinets, dark wood flooring, and a sage green kitchen island with a white marble countertop. Three pink bar chairs, brass fixtures, and two modern beige pendant lights

Sherwin-Williams' Evergreen Fog is a muddy shade of green, its 2022 Color of the Year. 'I love Evergreen Fog because it’s a soft, muted sage green paint that can almost act as a neutral while still bringing color and personality to a space,' says designer Lacey Michalek. 'In this kitchen, we used this paint on the island to create a subtle focal point and bring a pop of color to the room. It’s a color that layers beautifully with natural wood, stone, and warm metals, which is why I think it continues to feel just as current today as it did in 2022.'

Evergreen Fog is also a favorite shade for designer Carrera Shea of Ali & Shea Design, who describes it as 'one that has really stood the test of time. It helped usher in a broader appreciation for nature-inspired greens, and I still think we're seeing the influence of that shift today, particularly in kitchens.'

6. First Light by Benjamin Moore, 2020

A calming bedroom with soft pink walls, a built-in wardrobe, a window with a cream patterned blind, a vanity table with a chair, and a window seat upholstered with blue patterned fabric

Benjamin Moore's First Light is a delicate shade of blush pink that's not too sweet, but balanced and sophisticated. 'In my opinion, it’s the perfect pink because it is not too soft – there is still some oomph to it,' says designer Sarah Moore of Sarah Catherine Design. 'I think many overlook the power of using soft pink, either as a primary color or as an accent in a space. The right pink, such as First Light, can often act as a neutral in a room. Your eye doesn't even register it as overwhelmingly pink.'

'Soft pinks pair beautifully with so many other colors, which makes it an excellent sidekick color,' Sarah adds. 'This hue could easily complement brown, cream, green, blue, yellow, and lavender.'

Dora Dmitriev of Dora Dmitriev Design also often turns to First Light when a warm atmosphere is desired. 'On projects where the boldness comes through the furnishings, this color creates the perfect backdrop and is a refined alternative to the typical white or neutral palette,' she says. 'The subtle pink undertones transform beautifully throughout the day, creating a sense of warmth and ease in the space.'

7. Cinnamon Slate by Benjamin Moore, 2025

A modern kitchen with white upper cabinets, white walls with two brass wall sconces, a range hood, and a marble countertop. Muted purple lower cabinets with brass hardware and an integrated oven.

Benjamin Moore unveiled Cinnamon Slate as its 2025 Color of the Year, right at the time when purple was making its comeback in interiors. Rather than saturated purple tones that feel closely linked to the '90s, Cinnamon Slate put a modern spin on this nostalgic shade, with its muted feel and hushed brown undertones.

'Cinnamon Slate is difficult to define in the best possible way,' says Stephanie Wiott of Stephanie Wiott Designs. 'It is a nuanced combination of plum and warm brown that changes with the light. It has color and depth, yet it can still function as a neutral. It feels moody without becoming heavy and sophisticated without feeling overly formal.'

'Cinnamon Slate still feels current because homeowners are moving away from cooler grays, stark whites, and spaces that feel overly new,' Stephanie adds. 'They are embracing warmer, earthier colors that give a room personality and a sense of history while remaining livable. Cinnamon Slate strikes that balance beautifully. It can make a strong statement, but it is quiet and complex enough to endure long after its year in the spotlight. It pairs beautifully with natural wood, aged and unlacquered metals, richly veined stone, and other collected finishes.'

8. Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams, 2023

Redend Point by Sherwin-Williams, its 2023 Color of the Year, is an earthy shade of plaster that brings warmth and more depth than traditional neutrals.

'Redend Point takes the quiet, neutral base of a classic beige and gives it the faintest flush of color,' says designer Alissa Johnson of Alissa Johnson Interiors. 'That pink-meets-gray-meets-beige quality gives it a softness that reads as sophisticated, and the tone represented a real pivot toward warmth – a shift that has only accelerated since 2023.'

'Redend Point is also an incredibly flexible neutral that brings natural earthiness to any space,' Alissa adds. 'That flexibility is exactly why it still feels current today: design has continued moving away from the cool, stark minimalism of the past decade toward warmer, more tactile, nature-inspired palettes, and Redend Point was ahead of that curve.'

9. Aegean Teal by Benjamin Moore, 2021

A modern TV room, color-drenched in dark teal with built-ins on one wall, dark wood flooring, a gray rug, and a large mustard-colored sectional sofa. A large window looking onto lush greenery outside

Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Teal feels just as relevant now as it did in 2021. A green-blue blend with a soft, muted quality, it feels tranquil and is a fun alternative to blue paints.

'We’ve used it across several projects because its depth changes completely depending on the light,' says designer Christina Higham of Sun Soul Style Interiors. 'In bright daylight, it reads as a vibrant, tropical aqua; under softer evening light, it turns wonderfully moody and intimate.'

'Blue is such an approachable bridge for clients who want color without feeling like they’re taking a massive risk,' Christina adds. 'Aegean Teal gives you that rich, confident pigment while pairing seamlessly with warm woods, earthy rust tones, and bold accents.'

Anelle Gandelman of A-List Interiors is also drawn to Aegean Teal. 'It isn't just a color of the year; it’s timeless,' she says. 'While many colors of the year feel trendy and of-the-moment, this one has real staying power.'

10. Upward by Sherwin-Williams, 2024

A transitional kitchen with pale blue cabinets and walls, a white ceiling, and wooden flooring. A dark wood kitchen island with a dark gray marble countertop and a white and brass pendant light.

Sherwin-Williams' Upward is a pale blue paint that feels light and airy. It was its 2024 Color of the Year, and it is a favorite pick for designer Sydney Katz of SDK Architecture.

'Upward is a soft and quiet tone that works equally well as a primary color for a space or as an accent for a bolder color palette,' says Sydney. 'Recently, I've been using it to create timeless spaces for clients who crave calm color stories.'

Sydney used Upward in this kitchen, working as a fresh alternative to traditional neutral shades. 'We didn't want a white, beige, or greige kitchen, and Upward is the perfect blue neutral,' she says. 'I also love to use it as an accent with bolder palettes,' says Sydney. 'I've also used it as a bathroom tile to add soothing color to a bathroom retreat. Use it everywhere and anywhere!'

The Colors of the Year that are seemingly the most enduring aren't the brightest of the boldest – they're those that work effortlessly to bring a certain mood to a room, without demanding too much attention. Even the richer, more colorful shades in this roundup have a slightly hushed feel that gives them versatility and longevity.

Love beautiful design ideas, expert advice, and inspiring decor trends? Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox.

TOPICS

Emily is a freelance interior design writer based in Scotland. Prior to going freelance in the spring of 2025, Emily was Homes & Gardens’ Paint & Color Editor, covering all things color across interiors and home decor for the Homes & Gardens website. Having gained specific expertise in this area, Emily is well-versed in writing about the latest color trends and is passionate about helping homeowners understand the importance of color psychology in home design. Her own interior design style reflects the simplicity of mid-century design and she loves sourcing vintage furniture finds for her tenement flat.