As the world continues to seek solace and connection, the Pantone Color Institute has unveiled its Color of the Year 2025: PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. This warming, rich brown hue perfectly encapsulates a global need for comfort, harmony, and shared indulgence. With its luscious tones reminiscent of chocolate and coffee, Mocha Mousse offers a sensory experience that feels both grounding and luxurious.
Mocha Mousse is a color that resonates with connection and comfort while expressing thoughtful indulgence.
In a world increasingly driven by the need for meaningful connections and moments of simplicity, Mocha Mousse emerges as a versatile yet distinct hue. “Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director Pantone Color Institute. “Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embracing aspirational and luxe.”
Underpinned by our desire for everyday pleasures, Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embracing aspirational and luxe.
A shade perfect for design, paper, printing, and publishing professionals!
For professionals in the design, paper, printing, and publishing industries, Mocha Mousse offers an exciting avenue for creative exploration. Its sophisticated yet approachable tone lends itself beautifully to a variety of applications. When used in luxury invitations, stationery, or packaging, Mocha Mousse’s earthy elegance pairs seamlessly with metallic accents, creating designs that exude understated opulence. For book covers and editorial design, this hue can serve as a grounding backdrop or a subtle accent, enriching narratives with its sensorial warmth. Especially in branding and packaging design, gourmet food and beverage brands can leverage Mocha Mousse to evoke the rich, indulgent qualities of chocolate, coffee, and artisanal creations.
Grafiche Paciotti Ignites Luxe Pack with Stunning Luxury Packaging Inspired By The Elements – featuring Koehler® Eco Mud and Clay
One of Mocha Mousse’s greatest strengths seems to lie in its adaptability. As a standalone hue, it conveys calm sophistication, but it also harmonizes beautifully with a wide range of palettes. When paired with neutrals like beige or taupe, it creates minimalist designs. For bold, dramatic contrasts, vibrant tones such as emerald green or deep burgundy work wonderfully with Mocha Mousse. Alternatively, it pairs effortlessly with pastels like blush pink or lavender for a soft, comforting aesthetic.
Our editorial team at Design & Paper finds Mocha Mousse irresistibly appetizing, and we’re conjuring images of chocolate fountains and champagne baths for next year. Mocha Mousse doesn’t seem to be just a color; it feels like an invitation to revel in life’s little luxuries. In 2025, we foresee this hue dominating both physical and digital spaces, inspiring creatives to design moments of indulgence that delight the senses.
Mocha Mousse is a reflection of our collective yearning for connection, comfort, the joy of shared experiences, and finding luxury in everyday places. How will you incorporate this rich, warming hue into your creative projects this year? See below some of our favorite examples of the shade in action in various printing, packaging, and paper products – of course, featuring beautiful papers from our very own Design Papers Collection.
Window and Door Solution Expert ART³’s Brand Stationery Draws Inspiration From Wood – featuring Crush Coffee
f100 Condos In Timber Construction- Brochure Reflects The Properties Green, Urban & Sustainable Values – featuring Remake Smoke.
Birthday Calendar Felis By in love with paper Highlights Sustainable Papers And Individual Creativity – featuring Crush Almond
Starobrno Craft Beer Packaging by Luxusní Krabičky – featuring SH Recycling
Glamour – The Shining Jewel Of Europapier’s Design Papers Collection – featuring Glam Blush
The New GLAM Brochure Shows Off The Versatility Of This Stylish Metallic Paper – featuring Glam Cream
These Calendars Help You Keep Organized in 2021 – Both Physically and Mentally – featuring Color STYLE Fresh Macchiato Brown
Elegant Kavarnica Coffee House Packaging Combines Design Papers With Gold Foil Print – featuring PERGRAPHICA® gentle brown