How to incorporate Pantone’s Color of the Year

It’s official: the Color Of The Year is Pantone 17-1230, also known as Mocha Mousse.

Refined without being pretentious, this rich brown evokes simple, sensory pleasures like coffee and chocolate. “We think of tasting it, and know it’s going to be wonderful on the tongue,”says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence.” A warm neutral with versatile taupe-y undertones, Mocha Mousse is endlessly customizable and irresistible. If you’re not sure how to incorporate Pantone’s pick into your home, consider these 7 decor ideas on how to bring Mocha Mousse to life.

Completely in love with Mocha Mousse and ready to incorporate it into your decor? Lean all the way in. When sourcing the pieces you’ll need to achieve this monochrome look, be resourceful and bring your confidence and creativity to the table. Sticking to one unified color will keep the look of the room cohesive, so you’ll need to create depth and dimension in other ways. Eclectic combinations of materials throughout the room make high-impact “design moments” that draw the eye. Spotlight unique furniture shapes by placing rich textiles underneath them. A coffee table in the living room made of smoked glass doubles as an art piece when it’s beautifully framed by a custom-sized rug—like Copeland Quinn, hand-loomed with 100% New Zealand wool.

Without the visual distraction of multiple colors, symmetry and proportion become the primary focal point of your space. When one element is a tiny bit off, the look becomes noticeably unbalanced. The key to creating an elevated monochrome aesthetic is harmony from floor to ceiling, starting with a custom-sized rug.

Alternatively, incorporate Mocha Mousse as a base ingredient of your decor rather than the whole recipe. Brown evokes strength and reliability, safety and resilience; with an elevated brown like Mocha Mousse, you’re getting all those benefits as well as adding sophistication into the mix. When you’re centering Mocha Mousse as a single element of your design, use it as the inspiration when you build out the rest of your colorway. You’ll create a canvas of shades that feel both comfortable and aspirational.

Here’s a curated guide to easy, elegant palettes that center Mocha Mousse, plus the aesthetic they create:

Creams and off-whites:

Simple but decadent.

Deep, rich browns:
Cozy, dramatic and indulgent.

A little of both, plus taupes and tans:

Relaxed sophistication, endorsed by Pantone.

Avocado greens and burnt oranges

Retro warmth.

When you’re working with a shade as layered and rich as Pantone’s 2025 pick, be mindful that light (or the lack thereof) can drastically alter the look and feel of Mocha Mousse. Bright morning sunshine brings out its warm undertones, while the ambient glow of the afternoon emphasizes its saturation and depth. Light is one of the most important tools in your design box. Here’s how to harness its power in ways big and small.

Hanging mirrors on a wall across from your window, or incorporating them as an element as a gallery wall, helps maximize the amount of natural light in any room. Multiple light sources are the key to creating ambiance: opt for sleek shine with chrome and brushed nickel floor lamps, pendant lights and sconces.

Reflective surfaces and metallic accents that sparkle, used individually or as playful and unexpected combinations. Rose gold looks striking against black lacquer. Add polish with silk pillows and curtains and high-gloss paint. Consider touches of acrylic and crystal in the form of decorative trays, candlesticks and other goods. Clear furniture allows light to filter through, warming up the floor underneath. Get the most out of your glass or lucite coffee table by adding a rich textile with an understated sheen — like Celeste in Chocolate. Presto! An airy, modern look—plus a little shine to keep things interesting.

Play up Mocha Mousse’s earthy qualities by using natural materials to ground your space, creating an organic, lived-in aesthetic. Think perfectly worn-in leather and lots of wood, from live-edged accent tables to repurposed vintage pieces. An antique chest as a coffee table brings a rustic feel and seamless storage. Bring this repurposed chic to your floor with the Sand shade of Sienna, one of our newest offerings, made from 100 percent recycled PET yarn—that rare, desirable combination of minimum environmental footprint and maximum comfort.

When we talk about grounding your space, we mean it figuratively and literally. Focus on what’s under your feet. Layer organic textiles and earthy home goods for a warm and dynamic “gallery floor.” Made from 100 percent sisal, Calpurnia is as elegant as it is eco-friendly. Maximize comfort by topping it with a softer piece in the Sand shade like Ellis, our take on elevated farmhouse plaid. For a simpler standalone alternative, our new jute blend, Tallulah, offers rustic texture and a goes-with-everything grid pattern. Hand-loomed with recycled natural fibers, this unique custom-sized rug combines small environmental footprint with big visual impact, particularly in the eye-catching (and stain-hiding!) Storm shade.

Either way you go, top it all off with hemp, burlap or canvas baskets and big, hardy desert plants. Cactus, aloe, and snake pair beautifully with artfully weathered terra cotta. (The brick red of unglazed clay brings out Mocha Mousse’s warm undertones.) There you have it: Touchable comfort and low-key beauty.

With the thoughtful and intentional use of prints that use Mocha Mousse as a color, you can be playful without sacrificing sophistication. A graphic, abstract large-format pattern will immediately infuse your space with personality. It’s worth considering as statement wallpaper for a high-impact accent wall, or a bold fabric choice to reupholster a piece of furniture.

Alternatively, a more subtle use of print throughout your space can help create a unified decor theme. A classic choice like animal print feels playful but sophisticated, and it’s also surprisingly versatile as a textile pattern. Zebra print throw pillows on a bedding or sofa; cowprint accent chairs or ottomans. For your floor, go wild with Jensen in Sand, a cheetah print that charms. Standardize the size of the print if you’re aiming for cohesion, or play with scale for a more eclectic style.

Great design tells a story from floor to ceiling. The story of Mocha Mousse is “indulgent and unique.” Remember those words when you’re building out the sensory aspects of your home—and don’t neglect the intangible or abstract elements, like scent. Find a fragrance that’s reminiscent of Pantone’s pick and infuse it throughout your home with an array of candles, diffusers and fresh flowers. 

Create a space that feels indulgent and unique with the careful curation of rich, layered textiles. Crisp bedding sourced directly from your favorite boutique hotel; a custom-sized rug that feels as rich and textured underfoot as it looks to the eye. When you’re curating the tactile experience of your space, selecting the right fabrics, knits and weaves to tell your texture story, we want to empower you to let your senses be your guide. That’s why we send five physical samples for you to explore. By engaging the power of touch, you’ll make the choice that feels right for your home. From the intricate craftsmanship of Atlas or the gorgeous ease of Miller, the right rug is (quite literally) at your fingertips.