Inside The 2025 Benjamin Moore Color Trends Palette: Psychology, Application, And Atmosphere

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Each year, Benjamin Moore’s Color Trends palette offers more than a trend report, it delivers a tonal philosophy. And in 2025, that philosophy leans inward. The shades are soft but sure of themselves, earthy without being rustic, expressive without shouting. Anchored by the Color of the Year, Cinnamon Slate (2113-40), the palette offers ten hues designed to reflect and reshape the way we live at home.

At Stanwich Painting, we don’t just see color as decoration, we see it as atmosphere. Below, we break down each shade in Benjamin Moore’s 2025 palette through the lens of psychology, space, and finish, helping homeowners understand how these colors can transform not just a room, but a feeling.

Cinnamon Slate (2113-40)

Hex: #A1928D
A smoky hybrid of plum and earth, Cinnamon Slate is tactile and atmospheric. Its complexity makes it feel rooted, mature, and calm like an antique book cover or weathered clay.

Where to use it: Dens, libraries, or intimate powder rooms. Stunning when used in monochrome (walls, ceiling, and trim) in rooms where quiet is prized.

Finish suggestion: Matte or eggshell for walls. Consider satin on trim for a soft glow.

Leather Saddle Brown (2100-20)

Hex: #5B5149
Dark and rich, this brown reads like well-oiled leather. It's grounding, historical, and carries a touch of masculine gravitas.

Where to use it: Built-in bookcases, accent walls, or cabinetry. Perfect for homes with Craftsman or Colonial detailing.

Finish suggestion: Satin or low lustre on millwork. Matte on larger walls to prevent visual heaviness.

Ashwood Moss (1484)

Hex: #A0A39D
A gentle, grayed green that feels both organic and urbane. It recalls lichen on old stone or mist in a forest.

Where to use it: Ideal for bedrooms, garden-view sunrooms, or transitional spaces like mudrooms. Pairs beautifully with white oak and unlacquered brass.

Finish suggestion: Eggshell for softness. Matte for a moody, nature-inspired room.

Tissue Pink (1163)

Hex: #E9C8C5
Delicate and translucent, Tissue Pink is a memory of rose. Not sugary, but rather diffused, almost cosmetic.

Where to use it: Guest bedrooms, ceiling accents, or dressing rooms. This is a color that flatters skin and softens space.

Finish suggestion: Matte or eggshell. Add pearl on trim for a quiet shimmer.

Chowning’s Tan (CW-195)

Hex: #B9A074
From the Williamsburg Collection, this sandy tan has historical gravitas. It feels sun-warmed, honest, and stable.

Where to use it: Kitchens, entryways, or anywhere needing warmth without saturation. Especially strong in homes with traditional millwork or exposed beams.

Finish suggestion: Satin in high-traffic areas. Eggshell for warmth and cleanability.

Stained Glass (CSP-685)

Hex: #7A99A1
Cool, mineral, and slightly moody, this blue-gray is evocative of fogged sea glass. There’s restraint here…and mystery.

Where to use it: Great for home offices or bedrooms where you want calm and clarity. Strong pairing with white trim or nickel hardware.

Finish suggestion: Matte to enhance softness. Use satin on furniture or built-ins.

Paris Rain (1501)

Hex: #A9A6A1
An elegant gray that leans warm without ever turning beige. Paris Rain feels European: understated and intellectual.

Where to use it: Living rooms, stair halls, or open-plan spaces. It’s a connector shade, blending well with both warm and cool palettes.

Finish suggestion: Eggshell or matte. Avoid gloss to preserve its gentleness.

Rosepine (461)

Hex: #A7A395
A weathered sage, Rosepine carries herbal, almost apothecary-like notes. It's earthy without skewing rustic.

Where to use it: Serene kitchens, garden-adjacent rooms, or painted furniture. Excellent in Shaker-style interiors.

Finish suggestion: Matte for walls. Satin for cabinets or shelving.

Sea Salt (CSP-95)

Hex: #B4ADA0
A driftwood gray with the faintest green lean. Sea Salt is subtle and adaptable, playing well with both color and neutrals.

Where to use it: Bathrooms, secondary bedrooms, or anywhere you want a quiet backdrop. Lovely with polished nickel or aged bronze accents.

Finish suggestion: Matte for enveloping softness. Pearl in humid rooms.

Glacier White (OC-37)

Hex: #E7E7DD
A white with a soul. Glacier White is chalky, barely cool, and never sterile. It reads like stone dust in good light.

Where to use it: Ceilings, trim, or full-room immersion when contrast isn’t the goal. A workhorse white for homes with a gentle palette.

Finish suggestion: Flat on ceilings. Satin or semi-gloss on trim and built-ins.

Finish Matters: The Sheen Behind the Shade

Color sets the tone, but finish sets the mood. At Stanwich Painting, we often remind clients that the same hue in a matte finish versus a satin can read like an entirely different color.

Matte and flat finishes absorb light, softening imperfections and creating a quiet, intimate atmosphere. They’re ideal for rooms meant to soothe: bedrooms, studies, and heritage interiors.

Eggshell and satin finishes reflect a bit more light, adding subtle depth and cleanability, making them well-suited to living spaces, hallways, and cabinetry.

Semi-gloss and gloss finishes offer contrast, reflectivity, and visual pop—but they demand flawless prep. We use them sparingly and precisely, often on trim, doors, or specific architectural features.

In the end, finish isn’t just a technical detail…it’s emotional.

It determines how a room glows, how it feels under shifting daylight, and how it lives over time.

Palette Pairings: Composing with Intention

These colors don’t exist in isolation. When combined, they create tension, serenity, or depth. A few thoughtful pairings:

  • Ashwood Moss + Glacier White: An airy, modern-natural combination ideal for kitchens or mudrooms.

  • Tissue Pink + Paris Rain: Romantic and cerebral—perfect for a guest suite or an elevated nursery.

  • Cinnamon Slate + Leather Saddle Brown: Moody and sophisticated, like a tailored library with personality.

By choosing colors that speak to each other, you can shape entire environments—not just accent walls.

Why Color Forecasts Matter

Color trends aren’t about chasing fads. They reflect cultural mood, shifts in how we live, and what we need from our homes. Benjamin Moore’s 2025 palette speaks to a desire for softness, groundedness, and emotional presence. These aren’t attention-seeking shades; they’re lived-in, reflective, and deeply human. That’s why we trust them.

A Quiet Revolution in Color

Benjamin Moore’s 2025 palette is less about impact and more about intention. These colors don’t shout; they resonate. They live well in New England’s shifting light, in old homes and new builds alike.

At Stanwich Painting, we don’t just apply color—we refine it. We test undertones in changing daylight, match finishes to materials, and work with your home’s architecture to create something lasting. Because good painting doesn’t start with a brush—it starts with understanding.

If you're thinking about a refresh, let us help you find the shade that fits not just your space, but your life.

Call 475-252-9500 or request a quote to begin your color consultation today.


Stanwich Painting proudly provides top-quality residential painting services throughout Fairfield County, including: Greenwich, Cos Cob, Riverside, Old Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Wilton, and Weston


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Color As Heirloom: Inherited Palettes And Generational Design