The Behr color of the year 2025 is red Rumors

As the list of suggestions and predictions for the 2025 color of the year continues to grow, we’re seeing an unexpected trend – that there is no real trend. And the just-announced Behr Color of the Year 2025, Rumors, continues the non-trend: Behr’s Rumors is a striking red that both conveys a sense of nostalgia and pairs well with some of today’s top decor looks, including soft luxury and the hip theory of unexpected red.

While Rumors fits into several broader decor trends, it continues the recent series of color trends we’ve been seeing — particularly predictions for the 2025 Color of the Year — heading in very different directions. While we’ve never really seen unanimity, there has been some consensus in years past, with a handful of different paint manufacturers and color experts selecting similar colors, often different shades of white or blue. This year (though we’re still early in the race for Color of the Year), predictions are wide-ranging, with blue and green choices and now, with the Behr Color of the Year 2025 announced on August 21, a red.

“We came across this really appealing, versatile red based on rumors that works well with the colors people already have in their homes,” Erika Woelfel, vice president of color and creative services at BEHR Paint, tells Better Homes & Gardens.

Rumors is a bold red reminiscent of the red kitchens and dining rooms of the 90s. Unlike the cherry red of decades past, however, Rumors has brown undertones that give the color a grounded character and a more natural feel than other reds. The color is reminiscent of the famous California redwoods or the rich Georgia hue that you either love or hate – while you might not immediately associate red with nature, Rumors really does draw on its organic roots.

“Red has always been a welcoming color and people have always felt comfortable with it,” Sarah Fishburne, trend and design director at The Home Depot, tells BHG. (The Home Depot is Behr’s exclusive retail partner.)

Although the choice of red may seem surprising at first glance, Behr has plenty of data to back up his decision: a recent survey found that 76% of respondents would consider painting a room or wall in their home a shade of red. In addition, red is known as a color that draws attention in any application.

And as for the name, while Rumors doesn’t directly convey what color it is, Woelfel calls it “very evocative,” a title that suggests intrigue and a certain level of glamour. Rumors is atmospheric, captivating and luxurious, and also evokes the 1920s glamour aesthetic that was a key inspiration for the selection.

Ready to start spreading rumors in your home? Read on to learn everything you need to know about Behr’s 2025 Color of the Year.

Previous Behr Colors of the Year

After several years of neutral color schemes, Behr has now decided on a new type of selection.

“Now is the right time (for red wines),” says Woelfel.

The choice for Behr Color of the Year 2024 fell on Cracked Pepper, a warm charcoal gray that has caused many of us (including the author of this article) to rethink our attitude toward black walls in the home. Cracked Pepper is accessible, sophisticated and dynamic – wherever you choose to use it, it is sure to make a statement.

Blank Canvas, Behr’s 2023 Color of the Year, was followed by Cracked Pepper. Blank Canvas is a glossy and creamy white that conveys a certain sense of effortlessness. As a shade of white, Blank Canvas is equally suited to walls in a spa-inspired bathroom and cabinets in a bright and cheerful kitchen. It can fit into any room and be paired with any color. As the name suggests, it is a blank canvas that you can use as you wish.

But now is the time to be brave and confident.

“Red is back,” says Fishburne.

How to use Behr’s Color of the Year 2025 in your room

Rumors is a nuanced color that looks drastically different depending on where and how it is used. In a bright outdoor setting with a satin finish, it looks much more ruby ​​red and is perfect as a red front door; indoors, when used to color-saturate a room, it can take on a borderline mauve look. Like many of Behr’s previous picks, this Color of the Year works both indoors and outdoors.

“I think using it as a front door, a classic, timeless, inviting red front door, makes a great impression. It gives the house a great look,” says Woelfel.

You can also use Rumors on shutters or other exterior surfaces to add an optimistic splash of color to your home.

Indoors, the Behr team recommends trying Rumors with a flat or matte sheen on the walls or a satin finish on the kitchen cabinets. Fishburne even says you can use it to define spaces in your home: Color is a great way to break up an open floor plan.

Wherever you use it, really go all out – Rumors is a color meant to be applied with confidence.