Learn the basics of color theory in part one of our series on color theory, What is Color Theory, and How Do You Use It? Learn how to use color schemes in part two, A Guide to Schemes & Combinations.
There’s something remarkable about how an item’s color shapes our opinion of the item. A little green on the packaging of a fancy grain leaves the impression of general healthiness, a yellow box of frozen fries says “live a little.” A blue ad for security software speaks trust, while a black ad for a high-end credit card boasts exclusivity.
The world’s best designers are in a perpetual dance with color, and they’re learning new moves all the time. Decades can be marked by the color tendencies of their media, and it’s the restlessness of the world’s doodlers that keeps such changes coming.
While we can’t know what shades and hues will color the decades to come, some accelerating trends and designerly intuition have allowed us to compile a list of likely color use in 2025. For added context, we’ve included a list of popular color use in decades past as well.
What You’ll Learn
- Popular Color Use in 2025
- Color Use by Decade
- Examples of Color Theory in Action
- Trends with Color in 2025
Popular Color Use in 2025
Here are the color trends we’ll likely be seeing more of in 2025.
Earthy Tones
After years of screen-bound life, designers and consumers alike continue craving natural, grounded palettes. Expect clay reds, olive greens, and soft tans to dominate product packaging and branding.
Kitsch (Still Cool)
The cheerful blues, pinks and yellows of the millennial kitsch aesthetic remain popular, especially for brands targeting Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences.
Viva Magenta Evolves
While Pantone’s Viva Magenta made a splash in 2023, variations of magenta and bold pink tones continue evolving into richer, more sophisticated shades in 2025.
Futuristic & Sci-Fi Palettes
Dark, neon-accented sci-fi colors are still trending—think Blade Runner meets cyberpunk, often balanced with muted complementary tones to add depth and grit.
Acidic Pops
Neon greens, electric blues, and bright purples are being used as striking accent colors against neutral backgrounds for maximum impact.
Mediterranean Comfort
Soft oranges, gentle blues, and weathered browns are still favored for hospitality, lifestyle, and interior design brands seeking to invoke a sense of escape and relaxation.
Color Use by Decade
Time and place shape the color climate every passing year. Here’s a look back.
1950s: Pastels
Light pink, mint green, turquoise, pale yellow and blue dominated. Colors conveyed joy and optimism after WWII.
1960s: Psychedelia & Mod
Mustard yellow, fuchsia, orange tones, wood-like browns, and early neons reflected a decade of radical change.
1970s: Primary Colors & Earth Tones
Reds, yellows and blues paired with rust, avocado and harvest gold.
1980s: The Digital Rainbow
Neons, bright yellows and oranges, light greens and pinks exploded with the rise of accessible digital tech.
1990s: Noisy or Moody
Either muted or vibrant versions of blues, greens, oranges, pinks and yellows reflected cultural contrasts between commercial pop and grunge.
2000s: The Saturated Rainbow
Most colors in the rainbow, turned up to 11—often considered “tacky” today but embraced at the time.
2010s: Minimalism & Dampened Tones
“Millennial pink,” bright green, various blues, light greys and deep reds dominated a move toward simplicity.
2020s: Expansion & Experimentation
An expanded palette empowered by digital tools, with endless color mixing and boundary-pushing combinations.
Examples of Color Theory in Action
When color theory and design are in skilled hands, the results are striking. These forward-thinking brands worked with expert creative teams to bring their color strategies to life.
Pink & Red (and a bit of orange)
Imperfect Foods created a vibrant, friendly feel with a bold yet organic palette.
Blue, Green & White
Salesforce emphasized trust, growth and clarity with these versatile tones.
Yellow & Pink
Talent by Entelo combined energy and warmth, making their design pop across print and digital platforms.
Trends with Color in 2025
If you’ve followed parts one and two of our color theory series, you already know the importance of letting experts handle brand color strategy. Simply knowing color theory’s rules and trends isn’t enough. It takes years of experience applying, bending and even breaking those rules to drive meaningful visual impact.
Many ambitious brands in 2025 are turning to high-performing, specialized design partners. Most in-house creative teams are inundated with daily marketing needs. Scaling your color and design strategy requires collaboration with experienced design professionals who can help brands stand out in a crowded, ever-evolving market.
Ready to elevate your brand’s color strategy and design?
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