Every year Pantone chooses a color of the year that will define color trends in our clothing and homes. The choice for 2025 was Mocha Mousse, a gorgeous chocolate brown shade, and if you want to prove you're on the pulse of the hottest home decor trends, you can decorate with Mocha Mousse, according to interior design experts.
Whether you're in the mood for brown living room ideas or want to add shade to your bedroom, there are many different ways to do it – especially since Mocha Mousse is such a versatile shade of brown.
“Pantone’s color of the year often sets the tone for interior and fashion trends,” says Tom Revill, creative director of Plank Hardware. “The clay is a velvety blend of chocolate and coffee that exudes sweet richness and subtle luxury.” “Filled with elegance and earthy sophistication, Mocha Mousse offers a discreet touch of glamor while honoring the timeless beauty of nature.”
While it's hard to go wrong with this delicious hue, these are some of the top expert-approved recommendations and things to keep in mind when decorating with mocha mousse to get the most out of it.
How to make it big with mocha mousse in your home
Mocha Mousse is a great neutral color, making it perfect as a base color for the rest of the room.
“Use the color as a base,” says Amthal Karim, design director at Furniture And Choice. “Mocha mousse can be a great muted color for large pieces of furniture.” Consider using similar brown tones for your sofa, rugs or even your hardwood floors, as this will create a warm and inviting space.”
Tom from Plank Hardware agrees: “Make a bold yet timeless statement with mocha mousse-colored furniture.” “A plush sofa or accent chair in this hue serves as a focal point that blends seamlessly with other earth tones or metallic accents.”
A variety of different textures is important here, otherwise you risk making your room look a bit flat. “You can incorporate different textures and materials in similar tones to create depth and interest.” Consider using leather, wood, and textiles like wool or linen. “For example, a leather armchair, a wooden coffee table, and brown linen curtains can create a rich, layered look,” suggests Amthal.
Mocha mousse is also a perfect wallpaper or paint idea. “It's a shade that doesn't scream for attention, but rather exudes elegance, warmth and comfort,” says Victoria Yardley, founder of eco-color brand Victory Colors. “For a year when we're all craving connection and calm, I think this is a brilliant choice.” Browns have long been neglected in favor of grays and beiges, but this shade offers a refreshing alternative – it's soft yet luxurious, warm and yet versatile. “It reflects a shift towards creating nurturing, cocoon-like spaces in our homes, particularly as we prioritize wellbeing and slower living.”
Hot mocha color from Graham & Brown
There are so many different shades of brown – but Pantone's Mocha Mousse is a very special shade. With so many shades of brown, it's hard to choose the right one – but Graham & Brown's Hot Mocha color is a perfect match.
Kyoto Leah ribbed faux leather chair
Given brown's comeback this year, it is also predicted that brown leather upholstery will come back into fashion. And we love this retro, mid-century modern take on the look from Argos.
Wide cognac brown jangga curtains made to measure
Brown and corduroy make the perfect combination in 70s style. And given corduroy's current popularity in fashion, we're pretty sure it won't be long before it finds its way indoors too. These cord effect curtains in trendy brown from Next are perfect!
How to bring a touch of mocha mousse into your home
Ultimately, Mocha Mousse brings a new approach to interior design by making a color that was considered outdated cool again. And it's a trend, too, so we can't blame you if you don't feel like covering your entire home in mocha mousse. Incorporating small touches of this dreamy, soft hue throughout your home works just as well.
“Start by incorporating mocha mousse into your space gradually, thinking about soft furnishings like throws or pillows,” says Sam Deeble, interior design expert at Woods Furniture. “From there, apply layers with a mix of tones and textures to create depth and warmth.” Its versatility makes it a timeless choice that fits seamlessly with almost any style. “Incorporating mocha mousse wall art is another fantastic way to bring the color into your home in a stylish and subtle way.”
Furniture And Choice's Amthal adds, “If you prefer a more subtle approach, use mocha mousse in smaller accessories like throw pillows, blankets, vases or picture frames.” “These accents can tie a room together and add warmth without overwhelming it .”
La Redoute Emilia printed canvas
When experts were asked to incorporate a touch of mocha mousse into a home, several suggested a work of art. And we think it's a brilliant idea – especially when the artwork in question combines different shades of brown as beautifully as this La Redoute print.
Habitat throw with faux fur trim
When decorating with mocha mousse, using different textures is crucial for a balanced look. And this faux fur throw from Habitat has just the right amount of heavenly soft texture.
Rugs Direct Kara Washable Walnut Rug
Not only does this rug design offer a big dose of the year's most sought-after color, but it's also super practical since it's washable. We recommend placing a sofa in a lighter color to create a balanced living room.
Which colors go well with mocha mousse?
While you can certainly color a room with mocha mousse by using a shade like Graham & Brown Hot Mocha or Little Greene's Affogato, when designing your space it's best to introduce some other colors to pair with mocha mousse to avoid making the room appear flat and uninteresting.
“Although mocha mousse is incredibly versatile, it's best not to overdo it. Applying it to all of your furniture pieces in a room can make the room seem too uniform,” says Sam from Woods Furniture. “Mocha mousse pairs beautifully with earth tones like olive green and terracotta, creating a natural, grounded vibe.” Jewel tones like emerald or deep sapphire create a luxurious feel, while soft neutrals like cream and gray provide lightness and balance. For a touch of glamour, you can’t go wrong with metallics like gold or bronze.”
Furniture And Choice's Amthal continues, “While it's beneficial to use complementary hues, overuse of similar browns without variety can make the room appear monotonous and lack visual interest.” To add depth and dimension add different textures and a mix of colors.”
Very bright primary or neon colors also don't go well with mocha mousse, nor does strong white. “I would avoid neon colors or overly cool whites as they can clash with the warmth of mocha mousse and appear harsh.” “You want to enhance depth, not fight it, so stick with colors that create harmony or striking contrast says Sam.
In which rooms is mocha mousse suitable?
As you may have noticed, mocha mousse really shines in cozy living room ideas due to its calming, enveloping effects. For the same reasons, it is also the perfect color scheme for the bedroom.
“Pantone chose Mocha Mousse as the Color of the Year for 2025 due to its grounding nature that evokes a sense of harmony. “This makes it perfect for rooms where you want to relax and unwind, such as living rooms and bedrooms,” says Amthal of Furniture And Choice.
Victoria from Victory Colors continues: “This color would shine in a cozy living room, adding depth and warmth without being overwhelming.” It is also perfect for dining areas, where its richness creates a welcoming, intimate atmosphere. For a bold statement, use it in a bedroom alongside soft bedding for a restful, enveloping retreat.
The two rooms in the house where mocha mousse should be used sparingly are bathrooms and kitchens, especially if they are smaller and darker.
“Bathrooms are typically smaller spaces that benefit from light, airy colors to make them feel more open and spacious.” “Mocha mousse could make a small bathroom feel even smaller and more enclosed,” says Amthal.
Sam from Woods Furniture agrees: “It can feel a little heavy in small, dark bathrooms or kitchens, so I'd recommend using it sparingly in those areas.”
But brown kitchen ideas are in trend. So if your cooking area has plenty of light and space, who are we to stand in your way? Otherwise, you can incorporate the shade with smaller accessories like table linens or even a chic trash can like the one below from Brabantia.
Hemsworth Shop tea and towel made from flax linen in umber brown
Choosing mocha mousse bathroom or kitchen linens over something large in scale like walls, flooring, or furniture pieces is the perfect way to incorporate them without overwhelming the space. And these brown linen tea towels, which can also be used as hand towels, are ideal for this.
Brabantia newIcon pedal bin, 3 l in satin taupe
Even something as utilitarian as a trash can can be stylish and carry the current trend color. That's exactly what Brabantia proves with this delicate 3L design, perfect for the bathroom, in the Satin Taupe color scheme. Plus, Brabantia bins are some of the best on the market and never disappoint.
TBCo Cotton Checkerboard Placemats Set of 2
If your dining table (or breakfast bar) is in your kitchen, you can bring a touch of mocha mousse to your kitchen in the form of table linens, like these super chic scalloped edge placemats from TBCo.
Whatever you do, we hope you give this earthy brown tone a chance in your home.