2025 Color of the Year

We are a flooring store, yet we answer questions about paint every day. Paint is such an integral part of your décor, that some decision about paint is almost always involved when we are discussing flooring with customers.

Many of the Color of the Year announcements have been made for 2025, and for once, the paint companies all agree: Purple.

Well, OK, that’s probably understating it a little bit. There are others, but shades of purple are everywhere. While Sherwin Williams named a “collection” of colors this year, not just one, Benjamin Moore did name a specific color -- Cinnamon Slate, which is described as a mixture of velvety brown and rich plum. The Sherwin Williams colors of the year range from Grounded to Mauve Finery, with Clove, Malabar, Sunbleached, Chartreuse, Rain Cloud, Bosc Pear, and White Snow filling in the rest. Additional colors of note from Benjamin Moore are Sea Salt, Leather Saddle, Chowning Tan, and Tissue Pink.

By and large, these colors are mostly understated and natural, in look as well as in name. They evoke earthy, calming feelings. And indeed, all the literature announcing the Colors of the Year is full of words such as reassuring, kindness, and compassion. All qualities which we would like to emulate.

Out go the cool whites and bright zingy “happy” colors we’ve seen for the last few years. Now we are being embraced by rich browns, elegant shades of purple, and saturated reds. Colors of nature, humanity and connection. 

When making decorating decisions, just keep in mind the things that are easily changeable versus the things that are more semi-permanent. While it may be an annoyance, the things that are more temporary are paint, hardware, light fixtures, area rugs, and window treatments. The things that are more fixed are a bit more work (and money) to change out, for example flooring, backsplashes, cabinetry, and countertops. 

These five colors are not considered trendy: white, navy blue, beige, soft gray, black, and muted green. These colors are versatile, work well with various design styles, and provide a solid neutral base for any space. 

Key points about these colors: 

·       White: A classic choice for clean and bright spaces, can be used as a base color or accent. 

·       Navy Blue: Adds depth and sophistication, pairs well with many other colors. 

·       Beige: A warm neutral that creates a cozy ambiance. 

·       Soft Gray: Offers a calming and versatile tone. 

·       Black: Provides strong contrast and can be used for dramatic accents. 

·       Muted Green: A natural color that feels soothing and timeless. 

These Sherwin Williams colors are always in style: Alabaster (SW 7008), Repose Gray (SW 7015), Pure White (SW 7005), Agreeable Gray (SW 7029), Accessible Beige (SW 7036), and Dover White (SW 6385). 



Key points about these colors: 

·       Versatility: These colors are considered neutral and can easily blend with various design styles and color palettes. 

·       White Options: Alabaster offers a warm white tone while Pure White is a crisp, cooler white. 

·       Gray Shades: Repose Gray and Agreeable Gray are popular choices for their soft, balanced undertones. 

·       Warm Neutral: Accessible Beige provides a slightly warmer neutral option.

According to design experts, a few "tried and true" Benjamin Moore colors include: Chantilly Lace (OC-65), White Dove (OC-17), Decorator's White (CC-20), Swiss Coffee (OC-45), Cloud White (OC-130), and Gray Owl (OC-52); these are mostly off-white and light neutral shades that offer versatility in different spaces. 



Key points about these colors: 

·       Versatility: They blend well with various color palettes and design styles. 

·       Neutral Base: These colors provide a clean, neutral backdrop for bolder accents. 

·       Classic Appeal: Considered traditional and elegant, never appearing too trendy. 

A few "tried and true" Behr colors that are considered timeless and never go out of style include: Navajo White (a warm classic neutral), Off the Grid (an earthy beige-taupe), Almond Wisp (a beige with subtle gray undertones), Tranquil Gray, Chic Gray, and Even Better Beige. 



Key points about these colors: 

·       Navajo White: A go-to neutral, perfect for traditional styles, pairs well with various colors like earthy browns, blues, and reds. 

·       Off the Grid: A rich, sophisticated beige-taupe with a classic feel. 

·       Almond Wisp: A balanced beige with enough gray to prevent it from appearing too yellow. 

·       Tranquil Gray: A versatile gray shade that can work in various spaces. 

·       Chic Gray: A popular choice for a modern neutral gray. 

·       Even Better Beige: A classic, warm beige that is easy to incorporate into different design styles. 

Valspar colors considered timeless and never going out of style include: "Distant Valley" (a soothing blue-gray), "Flannel Gray" (a deep bluish gray), "Stone Manor" (a classic neutral), "Soft Candlelight" (a warm creamy white), "Hopsack" (a versatile neutral with warm undertones), and "Succulent" (a calming dusty green). 



Key points about these colors: 

·       Neutral palette: Most of these colors fall under the "neutral" category, meaning they pair well with various decor styles and can be used in multiple rooms.

·       Versatility: They can be used as a base color for a room, or as an accent depending on the desired effect.

·       Timeless appeal: These shades are not considered "trendy" and have a classic look that endures over time. 

Pro Tip

One question we are asked by many customers: Do I paint first, or do my floors first?



If you are painting the ceiling, that is ALWAYS first.

If you are replacing your baseboards, this will affect your painting if there is a possibility of a height change. In that case, do your floors first.

With new carpet, most people paint first. However, if you paint first, no matter how careful we are, there will be some touch-up painting required after installation.

If you are having hard surface floors installed, we recommend doing your floors first. This is particularly important when there is demo (for example, removing hard surface floors and/or subflooring) being done. A reputable painter will not have any problems protecting and not damaging your brand new floors. By doing the painting last, you don’t have to worry about any damage from the demo or installation, touch-up painting, painting your primed baseboards and/or shoemold, etc.

Pro Tip #2

Create your own oversized paint swatches by painting two coats of the color(s) you are considering on a large piece of poster board. When dry, use double-stick tape to adhere to the wall. Move the poster board around the room(s) as needed and be sure you are using the sheen you are considering. Look at the color under various lighting conditions, daytime, at night, cloudy day, etc. If one color does not look perfect in every room, go with the color that looks best in the room or time of day that is most important to you visually.

I Was Floored By Enhance

From Lynn in Marietta:

Gorgeous floors and fabulous service! Can’t say enough about how happy we are with Enhance Floors work. Highly recommend ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you, Lynn. You were great to work with. Enjoy your new floors!