Palette 2025
General overview
Palette Explanation
Colour basics
The colours of Colour Flow 2025 drift to a softly muted feel. The palette base is formed by tinted, light colours that reflect organic, undyed materials such as hemp or cotton. Throughout the whole palette, the range of colours consists predominantly of light tones, with only a few mid and dark tones. The tones are lighter in hue because they are recycled colours or have been dyed with food colouring, algae or mold dyes. The light tones provide a natural feel to the palette, which is inspired by natural materials rather than the usual green natural references.
Yellow, orange and tan tones play a significant role in the palette, moving gradually to brown, a pink and red. Yellow, orange, tan and brown are all colours that can evoke a sense of nostalgia, as they are often associated with the 1970s and 1980s. Brown will play an increasingly important role in the palette because of its warm and timeless qualities.
The green tones of the 2025 palette start very light and shift to army green and classic bottle green. The greens play a smaller role in the 2025 palette, as it is inspired by the use of natural fibres such as cotton, flax, hemp, bamboo, sisal and jute and less by the colours of leaves, grass and trees.
The blues are the main colour group for 2025 because of the colour’s association with technology, innovation and progress. Blue also conveys a sense of the infinite. Blue can be linked to the human evolutionary history and the role this colour has played in human survival. Blue is a rare colour in nature and the brain is wired to pay special attention to spot water and navigate by looking at the sky.
For 2025 there is a wider range of pink and lilac shades, with grays having a touch of lilac and blue. The shades are soft and are inspired by natural dye colours. The palette has a few dark shades that are not pure black, but browns and grays that can be achieved through alternative ways of dyeing. Gray colours will continue to develop in the coming years, due to ongoing technological developments. Gray areas refer to the space between clearly defined categories, where a decision is not entirely certain or final. As AI becomes more prevalent in society, there are many complex ethical questions to consider, and the answers are not always clear-cut.
Many of the colours of the 2025 colour palette are shades of blue and purple; most of them light tones, while some are more intense shades. In addition, there are many soft pink shades and also some of the browns have a reddish or purple tint to them. The addition of a few natural base colours, together with the yellow, tan and green tones, gives an earthy touch to the overall palette.
Colour Evolution
2024 to 2025
In the 2025 palette, the multiple ranges of yellows of 2024 are toned down to a nuanced offering of tinted light shades that are more grey, natural and calm.
The 2025 warm tones are less bright red and orange and move towards more earthy and clay tones, the yellow tones are warmer and the overall atmosphere is tonal and nuanced.
For 2025 the blues have evolved from the green feeling of 2024. There are some modest green tones and the rest of the shades are blues that represent infinity, calm and future technology.
The range of lilacs and purples of 2024 have evolved and become more harmonious. These tones have been influencing the grey tones that are important for the palette. Grey has the ability to make the invisible visible.
Colour Groups
Tones & hues
Neutrals
The neutrals for 2025 are light and tinted with pink to grey pigment. As many of the materials are recycled, they represent the source of the material they are created from.
Orange to tan
The important range of orange tones flow from creamy to warm and sunny and earthy. The orange tan colours are full and range to browns.
Blues
The blue tones are the biggest range of dusty blues with a grey feeling to full blues with a lilac undertone. The Azur is the brightest tone, the only colour with a green tone to it.
Green
The greens are an interesting range because they are so varied in tone. From light fresh tinted greens to a camouflage tint and a full dark green, the greens are a palette by themselves.
Pink to red
The pinks for 2025 range from a soft pink, a lilac, a full pink and a muted red. The pinks move beyond their stereotypical use and can be sportive, masculine and timeless.
Browns
Beige and brown tones create a sense of warmth and comfort, while also conveying a sense of stability and reliability. They have a timeless quality that can make a design feel classic and enduring.
Lilac to purple
Lilac to purple tones are important because they can evoke a range of emotions and meanings, from calm and soothing to regal and luxurious. They convey a sense of innovation and forward-thinking, that makes them an important range.
Grey to darks
Grey to dark tones are important because they can add depth and contrast to a design, creating a sense of mood and atmosphere. They can provide a sense of sophistication and timelessness. The greys give a sense of space and freedom, a promise of a digital future that supports people.
Regional Colours
EUROPE
The colours chosen for Europe represent important themes in today’s world. Adaptation speaks to the need for societies to adjust to changing circumstances, whether that be climate change or geopolitical shifts. Materials innovation highlights the importance of developing new technologies and processes to create more sustainable and efficient products. The energy transition acknowledges the urgent need to move towards renewable sources of energy and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The range of colours, from neutral to camouflage green, suggests a gradual but determined shift towards a more sustainable future.
Regional colours
Asia Pacific
The colours chosen for Asia Pacific reflect the region’s unique priorities and challenges. Technological speed fuels the rapid pace of development and innovation in the region, while sustainability future visions recognise the urgent need to address environmental issues. The range of light greens to blues to a greyish purple suggests a desire for balance and harmony, with green representing nature and growth, blue representing the sea and sky, and the greyish purple symbolising a sophisticated, modern aesthetic.
Regional colours
North America
The colours chosen for North and South America reflect a forward-thinking approach to technology and production. The desire for more control over supply chains and a sustainable future is represented by warm neutrals, blues, and greys that convey a sense of calm and rationality. The quiet, luxurious feeling of the colours suggests a desire for comfort and elegance without sacrificing practicality and environmental responsibility.
Regional colours
Middle East, Africa
The colours for the Middle East and Africa reflect the rich cultural heritage of the region. Warmth and elegance are emphasised to create a sense of comfort and luxury that is inspired by traditional aesthetics. The colours also convey a sense of future vision that is rooted in the values of culture, suggesting a desire for continuity and sustainability. They represent a unique blend of tradition and innovation, reflecting the dynamic and evolving nature of the region.