Mocha madness: The delectable hue setting the tone for the year ahead

10 Dec 2024

Each December, there is always a great deal of interest among designers as to what colour trends we can expect to see in a new year. Since different colour forecasters use different tools and approaches to distill and interpret global colour trend information, each has their own opinion about what they envisage will be the top hue of the year to come – but one forecaster in particular always gets a lot of attention.

The Pantone Color Institute recently announced the colour it believes will embody the year ahead: Mocha Mousse, a warming brown hue imbued with richness. “For Pantone Color of the Year 2025, we look to a mellow brown hue whose inherent richness and sensorial and comforting warmth extends further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others,” explains Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “With its sophisticated, earthy elegance, Mocha Mousse can stand alone or serve as a versatile foundation, enhancing a wide range of palettes and applications – from minimalist to richly detailed designs across all colour-focused industries. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.” 

Often, Pantone’s annual colour picks are polarising and can be tricky to use in the context of architecture and interior design, 2025’s choice hue is refreshingly approachable. While all colours have the power to shape moods, set the tone of a space and influence how occupants will feel within their built environments, mocha brown stands out as a particularly soothing and versatile option. This warm, earthy colour evokes a sense of comfort, stability and groundedness that lends itself effortlessly to crafting inviting spaces. 

Read on to learn why mocha browns are so endlessly appealing, which Resene paint colours encapsulate the trend, where to use them and the ideal colours to pair them with to suit a range of different design styles. 

The enduring appeal of mocha brown 

Mocha brown is a medium-to-dark shade of brown with toasty undertones of warm cocoa. Despite bring a neutral, mocha often features hints of red or even violet in its undertones, with more depth than your average beige or your typical taupe. Categorically, mocha browns are neither too dark nor too light, allowing them to serve as a grounding backdrop without overwhelming a space. They are deeply rooted in nature, reminiscent of rich soil, tree bark and, of course, warm coffee – elements that naturally evoke calmness and connection. Psychologically-speaking, brown is associated with security, warmth and dependability, making it an ideal choice for spaces designed to foster relaxation, comfort and concentration. The hue’s ability to harmonise with a wide range of colours makes it a flexible option for both contemporary and traditional interiors.

Which Resene mocha browns fit the trend 

For the most accurate Resene paint colour comparisons to the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year selection, you’ll want to look to Resene Sandal, Resene Leather, Resene Dusty Road, Resene Otter and Resene Mongoose. However, one of the most magical aspects of mocha is what a ‘chameleon colour’ it is and how greatly it is influenced by the lighting circumstances it is exposed to and the other hues it is used in combination with.

This means that, unlike many previous Pantone Color of the Year picks, there should be quite a bit of wiggle room in terms of exactly what mocha you use while still maintaining the spirit of the Mocha Mousse trend. Some spaces might be better served by a deeper brown selection like Resene Rebel or Resene Brown Pod while others may benefit from greyed-off, taupe-like variations such as Resene Outlaw, Resene Domino, Resene Half Mondo or Resene Oilskin.

Decorating with mocha brown 

From walls to ceilings to trims, furniture, cabinetry and accessories, mocha browns are incredibly versatile and can be used virtually anywhere to create a cohesive and calming environment. 

As a wall colour, a rich mocha brown like Resene Spice makes lounges and living spaces feel cosy and inviting, especially when paired with warm lighting. Mocha browns are also perfect for bedrooms where relaxation is key. Use a deeper shade like Resene Saddle Brown across an entire room to create a snug, cocoon-like atmosphere or as an accent wall behind the bed as a focal point. Since mocha brown works so well with wood tones, it’s also a great choice for kitchens with light, medium or dark stained cabinetry in tones like Resene Colorwood Driftwood, Resene Colorwood Nutmeg or Resene Colorwood Bushtrack. In dining areas, mocha brown can enhance a sense of intimacy, perfect for gatherings and meals. In commercial office spaces where focus and productivity are essential, the grounding quality of mocha brown makes it a top option.

Despite mocha’s versatility, the fact remains that the other colours you pair it with will define the overall aesthetic of your space. For a nurturing and tranquil environment, pair mocha brown with other warm and soft hues like cream, beige, muted greens or soft pinks. Lighter neutrals like Resene Blanc and Resene Quarter Biscotti enhance the warmth of mocha brown and are useful for creating a soothing, monochromatic palette. Silvery sages or greyed-off olive greens like Resene Eagle and Resene Waiouru add a hint of natural freshness, perfect for bedrooms or living rooms. A blush pink or dusty rose like Resene Ebb or Resene Coral Tree – which play to the rouge undertones present in many mocha browns – are effective for blending into otherwise tonal scheme and imparting a gentle and romantic vibe. 

For a sophisticated and balanced palette ideal for dining spaces, home offices or libraries, rich nautical blues like Resene Carpe Noctem, Resene Bunting or Resene Biscay are an ideal complement for mocha brown when creating a classic look, which can be balanced with paler powdery blues like Resene Dusted Blue. For a timeless look, combine mocha brown with traditional and elegant colours. Crisp whites like Resene Alabaster, Resene Eighth Black White or Resene Half Sea Fog used on trims, wainscoting or ceilings for contrast, allows these elements to stand out and bring levity to deeper mocha browns like Resene Irish Coffee. Finish the look by incorporating metallic gold details through light fixtures, mirrors or hardware painted in Resene Gold Dust metallic paint to add a touch of luxury to the classic scheme. Or, opt for a rose gold like Resene Rose Gold to make the most of your mocha’s red undertones.

For a chic and contemporary look, mocha brown can serve as a sleek and understated base for a colour palette of chocolate, terracotta and beige. A dark smoky brown like Resene Toorak adds depth and modernity, particularly in open-plan floorplates, while Resene Tuscany, an earthy terracotta with an orange heart, can bring a touch of vibrancy and texture without overwhelming more delicate mochas like Resene Leather. For added softness, try finishing the look with a creamy biscuit beige like Resene Sour Dough or Resene Okey Dokey. 

Since mocha is a rather ‘safe’ colour, it can pay to go bolder with your accent colour choices to avoid your palette feeling too boring. If your client is particularly adventurous, mocha brown can be an effective option for anchoring a daring palette. Pairing a mocha brown like Resene Spice with a mustard yellow like Resene Pirate Gold adds energy and contrast that’s perfect for accent walls or statement furniture. A jewel-toned teal or peacock blue such as Resene Teal Blue or Resene Guru will really ping against a mocha brown backdrop in Resene Tenor to create an eclectic and dramatic effect. For a bold and artistic vibe, try accenting mocha brown with a striking fuchsia or magenta like Resene Geronimo or Resene Pompadour. Or, try a pop of a robust red like Resene Candy Floss and a periwinkle like Resene Portage to enliven a mocha, black and white colour scheme.

For more mocha ideas, check out these looks. 

Delicate mocha browns like Resene Leather, which has complex undertones, are a great match for petal pink, mint green, red brown, cream and beige. 
Left: Wall painted in Resene Leather, timber room divider and vase painted in Resene Scoria, flooring finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, floor vases (at front) in Resene Dover White and Resene Tenor, stool in Resene Dover White and artwork in Resene Quarter Tea and Resene Beethoven. Couch from Soren Liv. 
Right: Background painted in Resene Half Tea, organic textured dish in Resene Trek, small vase in Resene Contented, large round tray in Resene Otter, scalloped bowl in Resene Eau De Nil with trim in Resene Contented and wooden coat hook finished in Resene Colorwood Rising Tide and Resene Colorwood Becalm. 

Create a mottled effect on a statement wall with layer mocha brown and beige tones mixed with Resene FX Paint Effects medium. Back wall painted in Resene Creme De La Creme with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Courtyard applied on top, left pillar in Resene Courtyard and floor finished in ReseneColorwood Bask. Artwork by Damien Kurth from Sanderson Gallery, left chair and pendant lamp from Good Form, right chair, table and plant stand from LigneRoset, vase from Smith & Caughey’s, glassware from Tessuti. 

Deeper chocolatey mochas like Resene Rebel are amazing options for intimate spaces, like restaurants, lounges and bedrooms, but this colour also works equally well as an accent hue in a palette of lighter neutrals. 
Left: Walls, trim and shelf painted in Resene Rebel, lamp base, cup and saucer in Resene Athena and vases (from left to right) in Resene Creme De La Creme, Resene Courtyard and Resene Pioneer Red. Flask vase (far right) from Good Form, flowers from Urban Flowers. 
Right: Background finished in Resene Colorwood Bask, cup and saucer painted in Resene Courtyard, teapot and scalloped plate in Resene Rebel and mug in Resene Athena. 

Pay close attention to lighting when using mocha paint colours on walls and ceilings to ensure you get the right mood. Arch walland upper right wall painted in Resene Outlaw, alcove wall in Resene Kia Kaha, lower right wall in Resene Outlaw with Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with ReseneAllspice applied on top, shelf in Resene Allspice and floor finished inReseneColorwood Bask. Table, chairs and buffet from Bradfords Interiors, tableware from Michael Joyce, vase from LigneRoset,brass tray from Powersurge, book from Tessuti, soapstone plant pot (on floor) from ECC, throw from Faradays, pendant lamp from Good Form. 

Use Resene Mocha to make a statement on a sideboard without overwhelming a neutral space. Walls painted in Resene Thorndon Cream, floor finished in ReseneColorwood Bark, white vase in Resene Alabaster and plant pot in Resene Pioneer Red. Buffet and coffee table from Mocka, sofa, rug and artwork from Danske Møbler, pendant lamp from Lighting Direct, side table, amphora vase, throw, cushion, glassware and candles from A&C Homestore, books from Father Rabbit and Tessuti. 

Redder mocha browns like Resene Mocha and Resene Brown Pod are effortless picks to pair with rich on trend reds like Resene Pioneer Red and Resene Red Oxide. Wall and vase painted in Resene Brown Pod and artwork created with Resene Half Sour Dough, Resene Toffee and Resene Brown Pod. Console table from Good Form. 

While mocha paint colours are sure to be popular choice for clients in the year to come, mocha-coloured wallpapers can bring an extra element of character and visual texture to your design. Resene Wallpaper Collection 34605 captures the comforting allure of mocha mousse. For a well-travelled look, combine it withearthy textures and exotic furnishings in spicy hues like ReseneCumin, tempered with a pale creamy taupe like ReseneDover White, a blush beige like ReseneBone and timber surfaces stained in ReseneColorwood Bark. 

Another mocha-inspired option, Resene Wallpaper Collection 10372-48, is an excellent option for infusing spaces with earthy appeal. Use it on bathroom walls with wood cabinetry stained in ReseneColorwoodDark Oak complemented by warm soft whites like ReseneWhite Linen and stonewashed taupe tones like ReseneDrought for a natural and soothing spa-like look. 

For more on the colour and decorating trends that will define the year to come, check out our colour trend forecast in the latest issue of BlackWhite magazine. To get A4 drawdown paint swatches of your favourite Resene mocha paint colours, order online on the Resene website or order in person at a Resene ColorShop. For more mocha-coloured wallpaper options from the Resene Wallpaper Collection, visit your local Resene ColorShop or see a selection of the latest releases on the Resene website.

projects Amber Armitage 
images Wendy Fenwick

Published: 10 Dec 2024