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Before the big reveal of the Behr 2025 Color of the Year, know this: When it comes to interior paint, some colors have been known to cause a stir among consumers. Purples and reds, for instance, are notoriously polarizing. So the results of a recent consumer survey by paint manufacturer Behr may come as a bit of a surprise: More than 75% of respondents said they would consider painting a room or a wall a shade of red.
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With this in mind, the paint company has named Rumors (MQ1-15), a deep and dynamic crimson hue, as the Behr 2025 Color of the Year.
“It's that perfect color that brings in a balance of warmth and vitality into a space,” says Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services. She’s confident that Rumors will empower DIY-ers, designers, and painting professionals to embrace the impact of color in both interior and exterior spaces.
Is it the ”unexpected red” theory manifested? Not quite—rather than mining the cultural lexicon for color inspiration as in years past, Behr entrusted those consumer opinions for its pick. This year is all about leaning into customer empowerment, says Woelfel. Behr’s research, an online survey of 1,000 American adults, found that red “can have a positive impact on one's state of mind.” A majority of participants agreed that the color makes them feel stronger and more confident. When reviewing Rumors specifically, respondents described the enriching, enduring hue as not only glamorous (51%)—but also luxurious (57%) and expensive (47%). “It gives the vibe of a high-end hotel,” says Woelfel, adding that extending the ambience to your residential space can create a sense of escape.
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Perhaps Rumors’ enriching hue will serve as a catalyst, as Woelfel says people are now looking to bring color into their home. Whether going bold on all four walls or coating a cozy nook or a piece of furniture, “red is an easy entry point for that, especially because we’ve been decorating with neutrals for so many years.”
Woelfel points specifically to Cracked Pepper and Blank Canvas, previous Behr Colors of the Year, as being “colors that combine easily with Rumors.” They join Rumors on Behr’s 2025 Trends Palette, in addition to a muddied green, potent blue, and golden yellow. Woelfel specifically calls attention to Nutmeg Frost, a beige-y neutral with a pink undertone: “For a monochromatic look, it’s really striking to balance with the deeper accent color, Rumors.”
It’s a palette our own research supports. In AD PRO’s recently published Color Trend Report 2024, leading designers cited the return of “earthbound” decorating colors, the deep, saturated hues oft turned to by old-school designers like Parish-Hadley, Angelo Donghia, and Tom Britt. “Rather than the ruby- and blue-toned emerald greens our clients were drawn to five or so years ago, they are loving deep burgundies, purple-undertone browns, and vegetable greens,” San Francisco–based designer Noz Nozawa told AD PRO for the report. “I suspect that people are gravitating towards these colors lately because there is a timelessness and comfort to what are still very vivid, spirited choices.”
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The application options for Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year are endless. It’s as potent an accent hue as it is color-drenching an interior. “You can use it to create a focal point in a smaller way by putting it on a front door to bring in that curb appeal,” says Woelfel. She also recommends playing with its sheen—a glossy finish on kitchen cabinetry or a flat one on garage doors and floors. Because while Rumors may be the definitive 2025 selection, its enriched elegance is sure to endure.
