5 Must-Have Trends for a Serene Retreat » BedTimes Magazine

The 2025 selections for color of the year signal that consumers are looking to create sleep sanctuaries. For those searching for luxury bedroom colors, these selections offer inspiration for a peaceful and elegant space.

If anything can be relied on in today’s unpredictable world, it’s that trends will change as consumer preferences evolve. But what may seem like simple affinities for a certain color, fabric or aesthetic are part of trend cycles that reflect the broader cultural mood.

“Everything we do at FS is tied into larger cultural movements, consumer sentiments and behavior,” says Hallie Spradlin, director of visionary at FS, a New York-based consumer insight and trend forecasting company.

In 2024, the color choices from paint and color systems companies were, for the most part, light and bright — think Pantone’s Peach Fuzz 13-1023, Valspar’s Renew Blue 8003-37D and C2’s Thermal C2-752. This year, subdued hues are taking over.

“The saturated colors of 2024 represented the desire for optimism, energy and a sense of renewal after the dark times of the pandemic,” adds Joana Walker, a Milan-based fashion expert and writer for fashion brand Margo Paige. “Bright hues symbolized hope and a craving for emotional rebirth. In contrast, 2025 colors are more subdued, as now we find ourselves needing tranquility, grounding, psychological comfort and mental clarity.”

Relationships expert Jonathan Hartley — who is based in Milton, Massachusetts, and has a master’s degree in psychology — agrees. “The current attraction to muted colors — in bedding especially — reflects all of our collective need for emotional decompression of sorts. After years of societal division and constant digital stimulation, we’re really now seeking actual sanctuary in softer, less demanding tones.”

Read on to learn more about the 2025 colors of the year and learn what is resonating with consumers. When designing new products, keep the following in mind to help your company stand out to shoppers.

Luxury Redefined: Color Trends Reflecting High-End Sleep Experiences

The luxury category consistently performed well last year in a bedding market that has otherwise been flat to negative. 

So, it makes sense that luxury is one of the predominant themes influencing color trends for 2025. Briny Hues, a color shift (the first signal that indicates the trajectory of various color groupings) presented by FS in a recent trends webinar, perhaps best captures the mood of today’s consumers. “Briny Hues evokes a sense of sacred savoring, encouraging us to relish fleeting moments whether indulging in a caramelized dessert, feeling the plush softness of a velvet sofa or savoring the first sip of our favorite beverage,” Spradlin says. (Think colors and shades like fig and olive brine.)

Color standards company Pantone selected Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse as its color of the year for similar reasons. According to a news release from the Carlstadt, New Jersey-based company, the warming, rich brown hue “nurtures with its suggestion of the delectable quality of cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort.”

Adds Leatrice Wiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute: “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe.”

What do velvet sofas or rich desserts have to do with sleep? Well, the color palette is a positive sign for the industry that people are looking to luxuriate. Since bedrooms can be one of the best places in the home to recharge, it could indicate that consumers will turn their attention to making their bedroom into a true refuge. This could mean investing in a new mattress, whether in the high-end category or for those whose budgets are lower, more aspirational luxury.

According to recent research from the Better Sleep Council, “low price and better brand reputation are the top reasons for purchasing a different brand.” This is notable when the same survey reports that two-thirds of consumers say their current mattress is a different brand than their previous mattress, providing an opportunity for manufacturers to capture a larger share of consumers.

This insight ties into a key trend of 2024, projected to continue into 2025 — mattress manufacturers creating value-driven lines so that consumers feel included without compromising quality. Click here for some of those introductions at the winter Las Vegas Market.

Earthy Elegance: Muted Tones for Tranquil Sleep Spaces

“Colors of the year have probably never done as much for the bedding industry as in 2025,” Walker says. “Serene, restful spaces for sleep can only benefit from warm taupes and muted blues, especially if compared with energizing, bold yellows taking the stage in the previous seasons. Moreover, these trending natural colors match cotton and linen instinctively. With the right texture added to the mix, the pair creates an impeccable sleep sanctuary.” 

Featuring earth-inspired colors, most of this year’s picks signal a desire to connect with nature. FS notes that this natural palette is part of a color shift the company calls Buried Neutrals.

“These are hardworking neutrals, imbued with a sense of timeless significance,” Spradlin says. One example is Blackburn, England-based home decor company Graham & Brown’s 2025 color of the year, Elderton. The deep color takes cues from the elder tree, which has rich, brown leaves. “Elderton has a huge amount of depth, reconnecting us with nature and enhancing our relation to the earth,” says Paul Taylor, head stylist and trend specialist for Graham & Brown. 

Mooresville, North Carolina-based home improvement retailer Lowe’s also echoes the culture’s current propensity toward nature in name and hue. After analyzing trends from recent trade shows and showrooms, the company announced that its Stainmaster brand chose Truffle, a deep brown hue as its color of the year.

Lauren Hoferkamp, lead color expert at paint company Dunn-Edwards, headquartered in Los Angeles, agrees with Hartley. “In the current fast-paced, high-tech age, we find ourselves drawn to more saturated and timeless colors to create personal spaces that feel welcoming, stylish and grounded. When considering the draw to a mindset of ‘old is new,’ Caramelized DET687 emerged from our 2025 Color and Design Trends as a clear representation of this new year. The effortlessly versatile hue pairs well with various styles, from vintage-inspired interiors to contemporary spaces.” 

Continuing the theme of respite, Manchester, England-based paint and wallpaper manufacturer Little Greene selected Mochi (344), a light brown with peach-pink
undertones as a modern neutral. “Rich, warm colors deliver cocooning, restful and charming spaces and are perfect for creating enticing and sumptuous spaces within our homes,” says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. 

Healing Hues: Exploring the Psychological Comfort of Purple Palettes

Softly Bruised, another color shift forecast by FS, captures the spectrum of colors found during the healing process of a bruise. “This shift mirrors our own journey of recovery, mirroring the raw intensity of pain while celebrating the gradual, hopeful transition toward healing,” Spradlin says. According to FS, cultural trends driving this color shift are social turmoil that is causing people to explore uncomfortable realities, in addition to the ongoing loneliness crisis. People looking for connection are seeking refuge in all types of relationships, from platonic to romantic, and are even leaning into the idea of “found family” for comfort.

With purple reigning supreme in 2025 and beyond, adjacent hues like Wilted Petal, Subtle Umber, Black Jam and Soaked Violet will also be popular, FS says. 

“For 2025, purple isn’t just permitted, it is encouraged,” says Ashley McCollum, marketing manager of color at Glidden. The Pittsburgh-based paint company’s 2025 color of the year pick, Purple Basil PPG1046-7, is a perfect example. According to a Glidden news release, “Purple Basil represents the appreciation for self-discovery and self-expression that has led to the rise of maximalism across industries, including design, fashion and consumer goods.” This dovetails with a recent article from Architectural Digest heralding the return of maximalism after years of stripped-down silhouettes, light colors and minimal patterns in interior design.

As a mixture of plum and brown, Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate 2113-40 bridges the gap between the Softly Bruised and Buried Neutrals color shifts. “As the use of more saturated color in design has increased in recent years, we are seeing a growing interest in more nuanced colors, whose undertones add intricacy and dimension,” says Andrea Magno, director of color marketing and design at the Montvale, New Jersey-based paint company. “Cinnamon Slate is an inviting hue that offers enduring style and modern sensibility.” 

Deep Crimson: Adding Passion and Sophistication with Red Hues

Reds will also be in demand in 2025. In new research from Santa Ana, California-based paint company Behr, 84% of respondents stated that “a small pop of red in a room catches their attention.” Additionally, 70% surveyed said a pop of red made a space “feel more elegant and cohesive,” and 75% said they would consider painting a room or wall a shade of red, with bedrooms at the top of many renovation wish lists, making Behr’s 2025 color of the year, Rumors MQ1-15, a good consideration for those looking for warm ruby red.

They might also consider C2 Paint’s selection Raku, with undertones of mahogany and deep purple. Named after a type of Japanese pottery typically used in tea ceremonies, it reflects the culture’s current pursuit of meditative experiences. 

“Raku is an expression of balance, comfort and timeless elegance,” says Philippa Radon, color director for the Amherst, New York-based paint company. “In a world where polarizing views can divide and isolate, Raku offers a palette that returns us to simple, grounding pleasures.”

Evolving Blues: From Bright to Grounded in 2025’s Color Trends

Last year’s picks were dominated by bright blues. Although the color is still present in the 2025 selections, it — similar to the reds and purples — is more saturated.

On the gray-leaning side, HGTV by Sherwin-Williams’ Quietude SW 6212 nods to 2025’s overarching theme of consumers seeking tranquility. A news release from the Cleveland-based company states that the soft green has influences of blue that serve as a reminder “to slow down and look for happiness in the everyday small moments that connect us all.”

Similarly, Dutch Boy Paints’ Mapped Blue 429-5DB features a medium-tone blue with slight yellow undertones. “Our 2025 color of the year, Mapped Blue, is more than just a trend: it’s a reflection of changing consumer values,” says Lisbeth Parada, color marketing manager for Dutch Boy Paints, headquartered in Cleveland. “We’re seeing a significant shift, particularly among millennials and Gen Z, toward products that offer durability, functionality and timeless aesthetics. Mapped Blue answers this call, providing a classic yet modern charm.”

Minneapolis-based Valspar’s pick, Encore 8002-45G, takes a turn for the dramatic. Intended to nod to the physical and digital worlds, Encore feels both modern and timeless thanks to its cool undertone.

Design-Forward Sleep: Attracting Consumers with 2025’s Color Trends

Shoppers have an array of choices when purchasing a new mattress. While different components and feels will help guide consumers to their final decision, the product has to catch their eye first. By keeping up with consumer sentiments and trending colors, your product designers can find ways to incorporate modern touches while staying true to your branding.

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