As the first hints of fall are in the air, the design world is gearing up for a new wave of color. This time of year marks the moment when all of our favorite paint brands announce their chosen color to represent the coming year. If you’re looking for a shade that perfectly embodies fall, Behr has you covered.
The paint brand has just announced the shade that we think will define our next orbit around the sun. It’s a rich, luscious red that feels appropriate for the season right now. A deep and dynamic eggplant purple, Rumors has a unique balance of warmth and vitality that will breathe life into your walls while exuding comfort. If you prefer a more moody way of decorating with regal jewel tones, this shade is the way to go.
After a year of courage Colour trends (see: “unexpected red,” butter yellow, or the resurgence of true blues), it seems only natural that the 2025 Color of the Year should be just as striking and saturated. “We’re seeing people embrace color like never before,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at Behr Paint Company. “Rumors is a modern take on the timeless red that creates an energetic appeal and makes a lasting statement in a stunning way.” Here’s everything you need to know about this rich plum hue and how to use it in your home.
If there’s one trend emerging with the colors of 2025, it’s that soft pastels have fallen by the wayside. Decorating with color over the next 12 months will be all about deep, rich hues, a natural response to the tranquil greens and blues that dominated last year.
“Our Color of the Year gives consumers the power to use color with confidence,” says Andy Lopez, senior vice president and director of marketing at Behr Paint. “Rumors is undoubtedly a color that inspires creativity while being versatile enough to transform a space through projects big and small.”
This idea of confidence and creativity is made even easier by the accessibility of this vibrant red. If you’ve always liked moody color schemes but tend to shy away from dark palettes, this calming shade is really easy to use. There are so many colors that go with burgundy and it’s really adaptable, meaning it works in different rooms and changing lighting conditions.
(Image credit: Behr)
It’s also a shade that the team at Livingetc is loving (or learning to love) lately. “I’ve never really been a fan of purple when it comes to interiors – maybe I’m traumatized by the accent wall I painted in my bedroom as a kid – but even lavender is something I could never really embrace,” explains Housing etc.Emma Breislin, interior designer at ‘s Interiors. “Then I discovered burgundy and fell in love with its deep, rich, juicy undertones that are kind of red, kind of brown, kind of purple. It gives a feeling of warmth and coziness, but is still energetic and expressive. Goodbye ‘unexpected red’, I expect to see burgundy everywhere from 2025 onwards.”
As Emma mentions, “Rumors” follows six months of red taking center stage. “Red, once so striking, is no longer a taboo in interior design,” says Aditi Sharma Maheshwari, design editor at Housing etc.. “When used in the right form, such as ruby red or burgundy, this hue can instantly feel warm and even regal. In the last year in particular, I’ve noticed designers using this hue quite blatantly to create intriguing, dynamic spaces. ‘Rumors’ couldn’t have come at a better time, as homeowners are now looking to create more intimate, special ‘zones’ in their homes, decorated in bold colors that suit their tastes.”
How to decorate with “rumors”
From striking accents on the front door to dramatic color-drenched ideas, Rumors is a universal color that can work in small or large doses, depending on your preference. “This shade is modern, fresh and inviting, perfect for a lounge area, TV room or even a stylish powder room,” says Aditi.
(Photo credit: Barbara Corsico/Living Inside. Design: Kingston Lafferty)
‘Rumors’ also works great as an accent color for trim or woodwork alongside crisp whites or earthy neutrals. “I especially love it when I use it to soak cabinets or trim in a super high gloss varnish,” Emma adds. Plus, it’s part of Behr’s 2025 Color Trend Palette, an annual selection of forward-thinking colors ranging from earthy warm tones to cooler hues to help you make decisions when it comes to creating a color palette that feels beautifully balanced.
Ready to explore a darker side of interior design? Rumors is the perfect rich and sophisticated red to bring into your home this season and beyond.
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