The “quietly colourful” trend is set to dominate interior design in 2025, according to  interior design experts. Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year and wider Color Trends palette for 2025 focuses on liveable, grounding shades that offer a comforting take on decorating with colour, moving away from anything too bold in favour of  more forgiving shades.

A Benjamin Moore colour expert delved deeper into this emerging colour trend, along with exploring interior designers’ favourite “quietly colourful” paint shades to bring this trending – but timeless – paint idea into your home. In essence, the quietly colourful trend is all about slightly muted, “in-between” paint colours that introduce colour subtly into the home. Rather than loud, saturated hues that make a statement, quiet colours don’t demand attention yet allow for more depth and interest than neutral paints. Helen Shaw, director of marketing at Benjamin Moore, tells Homes & Gardens how this paint trend serves as a focal point in Benjamin Moore’s recent trend palette: “Our 2025 Color Trends palette features nine ‘quietly colourful’ hues – ranging from gentle neutrals like ’tissue pink. and ‘sea salt’ to moodier colours like ‘ashwood moss’ and ‘cinnamon slate’.

“What makes these hues special is that each is rich with undertones, creating a dynamic look that changes as light levels shift throughout the day.

“For example, in some lights, Cinnamon Slate looks more brown and in others more purple. As these hues are not oversaturated, they are easy to use in the home and won’t tire over the years as your style evolves and furniture or decor swaps in or out.

“In step change to the saturated colour stories of recent years, these ‘in-between’ hues have an innate sense of familiarity and ease, without fading into the background.”

Designers have also endorsed this interior design trend for the upcoming year.

Natalia Miyar explains how it offers longevity and a timeless approach to decorating: “The ‘quietly colourful’ trend, although I feel it has always been there, is an ideal backdrop to highlight unique pieces, artwork, or architectural features. Nature is full of neutrals like blue and green.

“This trend offers adaptability for future changes – whether you’re changing accessories or introducing new standout pieces.

“The ‘colourful’ neutral backdrop doesn’t restrict your choices, and the room adapts with your tastes over time.

“It’s versatile and timeless simultaneously, and it lends your room colour ideas a touch of sophistication and depth without being excessively loud.”

From grey greens to muted blues, interior designers’ favourite paint shades that seem perfectly suited to bring the quietly colourful trend to life. One favourite is DeNimes by Farrow and Ball.

“A soft, weathered blue with a hint of grey, De Nimes is subtly colourful without ever feeling overwhelming,” says interior designer Tineke Triggs.

“It has a lived-in, timeless feel – almost like the perfect faded denim – that makes it an excellent choice for kitchen island colour ideas, mudroom ideas, or accent cabinetry.”

Designer Tineke Triggs has a fondness for the subtly colourful paint shade, Benjamin Moore’s Silver Marlin.

She describes it as “A soft blue-green with a hint of grey, Silver Marlin is an excellent choice for walls or cabinetry in spaces that need a touch of colour without feeling overtly painted.”

Another favourite of hers is De Nimes, a soft, weathered blue with a touch of grey.  “It has a lived-in, timeless feel – almost like the perfect faded denim – that makes it an excellent option for kitchen island colour ideas, mudroom ideas, or accent cabinetry,” she says.

Designer Jessika Gatewood also favours warm clay tones like Sherwin-Williams’ Redend Point, which she describes as having a dusty, earthy warmth that plays beautifully with natural elements.

“These colours work so well because they add subtle depth without feeling overpowering, making them perfect for walls, cabinetry, or millwork in rooms that need a soft, elegant feel,” she adds.

The beauty of opting for quietly colourful paint shades, according to designers, is their longevity.

Unlike bold and statement wall colours that can often feel very trend-led, these subtle shades offer a timeless feel, while adding more depth to your home than classic neutrals.