For years, we’ve played the same game. Sherwin-Williams drops one single "Color of the Year," everyone rushes to buy a sample pot, and suddenly every living room from Seattle to Sarasota looks exactly like a dusty blue or a muted terracotta.
But things just changed. Big time.
For 2025, they basically ditched the crown. Instead of forcing one hue to do all the heavy lifting, we got the 2025 Color Capsule of the Year. It’s a group of nine colors. Honestly? It's about time. Our homes don't exist in a vacuum, and one paint color rarely solves a whole house's vibe. This new approach acknowledges that we’re all a little bit "eclectic" and a little bit "I just want to nap in a quiet room."
Why the 2025 paint colors sherwin williams move to a capsule matters
Sherwin-Williams is celebrating its 15th anniversary of naming a top color. To mark the occasion, Sue Wadden, the Director of Color Marketing, decided to stop picking favorites. The 2025 paint colors sherwin williams collection is less of a "you must use this" and more of a "here is a toolkit that actually works together."
If you’re staring at a wall of 3,000 swatches at the store, you know that soul-crushing feeling of indecision. The capsule is meant to kill that. It’s a mix of some older, historic shades they’ve brought back and some fresh picks from their Designer Color Collection.
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The vibe is very much "Modern Nostalgia." Think 1970s conversation pits but with better lighting and less shag carpet.
Breaking down the nine colors you'll actually see everywhere
You don't need to use all of these. In fact, please don't. But understanding how they sit next to each other is the key to making a 2025 home feel cohesive rather than chaotic.
The Grounding Force: Grounded (SW 6089)
Brown is the new gray. I know, we’ve heard it before, but Grounded is the real deal. It’s a deep, earthy brown that feels like a hug. It isn't that muddy, 90s apartment brown; it’s got a richness that makes a room feel expensive. Wadden mentioned that 1970s vintage is back in a huge way, and this is the anchor for that trend.
The "Not Quite" Neutrals: Sunbleached and Malabar
- Sunbleached (SW 9585): This is for people who are tired of stark white but aren't ready for "color." It sits right between warm and cool. It’s deeper than white, but not quite gray.
- Malabar (SW 9110): A sandy, creamy beige. If you want that "Quiet Luxury" look that’s been all over TikTok, this is your base coat.
The Risk-Takers: Chartreuse and Mauve Finery
Let's be real: Chartreuse (SW 0073) is polarizing. It’s a bright, punchy yellow-green. It’s loud. But as an accent—maybe on a small powder room vanity or a front door—it’s electric. Then you have Mauve Finery (SW 6282). It’s a sophisticated purple that feels more like a botanical element than a child's bedroom color. It’s dusty and muted, making it surprisingly easy to live with.
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The Dark & Moody Duo: Clove and Rain Cloud
- Clove (SW 9605): This is nearly black. It’s a "Warm + Welcoming" brown-black that’s incredibly cozy. Use it in a bedroom if you want to sleep like you’re in a cave.
- Rain Cloud (SW 9639): A stormy, gray-blue. It’s the color of a Tuesday in London. It bridges the gap between traditional and modern perfectly.
The Brights: Bosc Pear and White Snow
Bosc Pear (SW 6390) is a cinnamon-dusted gold. It’s luxurious and pairs beautifully with dark woods. And then there’s White Snow (SW 9541). With a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 90, it’s one of the crispest whites they have. It’s what you use for your trim to make all these other colors actually pop.
The HGTV Dream Home twist: Quietude (HGSW6212)
Now, just to make things slightly confusing (because why not?), there is also the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams announcement. Their specific "Color of the Year" is Quietude.
It’s a soft, sagey green with a blue influence. If the main Sherwin-Williams capsule is about "drama and earth," Quietude is about "peace and silence." It’s featured heavily in the 2025 HGTV Dream Home. If you’re looking for a color that’s universally liked by real estate agents and your mother-in-law, this is the one.
How to actually use these colors without losing your mind
Most people make the mistake of picking a color they love, painting four walls, and then realizing their furniture looks like garbage against it.
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Try this instead:
- The 60-30-10 Rule: Use a neutral like Malabar for 60% of the space (walls). Use a moodier tone like Rain Cloud for 30% (maybe a large rug or curtains). Use a "pop" like Bosc Pear for that final 10% (pillows, art).
- Test for Lighting: Clove will look black in a room with no windows, but in a bright sunroom, you’ll see those warm chocolate undertones. Always, always buy the peel-and-stick samples first.
- Ceilings Matter: Everyone paints their ceiling white. It’s fine. But try painting a ceiling in a room with White Snow walls a very faint version of Mauve Finery. It’s a designer trick that makes the room feel taller.
The beauty of the 2025 paint colors sherwin williams collection is the flexibility. You aren't locked into one specific look. You can go "Chrysalis" (minimalist and raw) or "Paradox" (bold and dopamine-heavy).
Actionable Next Steps
Forget scrolling through Pinterest for another three hours. It’s time to actually see these in your own light.
- Order Peel-and-Stick Samples: Brands like Samplize carry the full 2025 Capsule. Stick them on your walls and look at them at 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. The shift is usually wild.
- Check Your Trim: If you’re going with the earthier tones like Grounded or Bosc Pear, your old "cool blue-white" trim might look yellow and dingy. You’ll likely want to refresh trim with White Snow to keep it looking intentional.
- Start Small: If Chartreuse scares you, paint the inside of a bookshelf or a small accent cabinet. It’s a low-stakes way to join the 2025 trend without committing to a full room of "electric lime."
The trend for 2025 isn't about following a rulebook. It's about finding the specific "capsule" that makes you actually want to stay home. Whether that's a dark, brooding library in Clove or a sun-drenched kitchen in Quietude, the options are finally as varied as our actual lives.