Arpi on Tile

Pantone’s Color of the Year

Mocha Mousse, an earthy neutral enables the use of an expanded color palette for a range of ceramic or porcelain tile.

By Arpi Nalbandian Tileometry

Pantone Color Institute’s 2025 Color of the Year — PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse — is a rich, earthy brown hue that resonates with warmth, comfort, and timeless elegance. Its versatility further succeeds by making a strong statement in interior design options, particularly when paired with complementary porcelain and ceramic tiles. As such, combining Mocha Mousse with thoughtfully chosen tile colors, tactile textures, and various finishes or patterns, Mocha Mousse’s ability to elevate innumerable space-specific needs will succeed in effortlessly creating harmonious and visually stunning environments. According to Pantone, Mocha Mousse captures a “global mood of connection, comfort, and harmony.” Through its Pantone Color of the Year program, the institute “engages the design community and color enthusiasts in a conversation around color, highlighting the relationship between color and culture. “Pantone selects a color each year that captures the global zeitgeist —the Color of the Year expresses a global mood and an attitude, reflecting collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue,” states Pantone. Interestingly, Pantone Color Institute first introduced its Pantone Color of the Year educational program in 1999 “to engage the design community and color enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around color,” according to Laurie Pressman, institute vice president. The program has undeniably accomplished its goal.

Shades of white beautifully complement the darker-shaded tile in this residential bathroom design. Product: Studio – Ceramic;| Floor: Arabesque 5B; Shower: Mini San Felipe;| Glaze Color: May Gray. (Image courtesy Arto Brick)

Island Stone’s latest tile collection, Illusions, is, according to the company, a “high-fashion tile collection [that] marries the old-world charm of handmade glass with a contemporary flair, showcasing an antique mirror technique that infuses unique metals onto the glass’s back. Each large-format tile in the Illusions collection is a canvas where the dance of colors comes alive.”( Image courtesy Island Stone.)

Now, let’s take a look at how designers can incorporate Mocha Mousse with complementary ceramic and porcelain tiles in residential, commercial, and hospitality settings.

Mocha Mousse embodies both sophistication and approachability. Its earthy tone serves as a neutral base, which makes it an ideal partner for tile and its inherit adaptability to a variety of spaces — thanks to a near-countless array of colors, materials, and styles.

Fittingly, 2025 is seeing a rise in specific tile trends that complement the Mocha Mousse hue:

• Large-Format Tiles: These tiles create a seamless look with fewer grout lines, enhancing the spaciousness of a room by making a bold, yet elegant, statement.

• Textured Finishes: Tile with natural, tactile surfaces are gaining popularity, adding depth and interest to spaces. Textured finishes will add to or enhance the warmth and coziness of a room.

• Geometric Patterns: With Mocha Mousse, geometric tile designs can add a modern touch to interiors, making them visually appealing and on-trend.

Practical Considerations

When integrating neutral, Mocha Mousse-inspired tile into any design, consider the following:

• Lighting: Ensure adequate lighting to highlight the rich tones of the tiles used. Natural light can enhance the warmth, while artificial lighting can be adjusted to create the desired ambiance.

• Texture and Finish: Choose between matte or glossy finishes based on the desired aesthetic. Matte finishes offer a more subdued look, while glossy finishes can add a touch of luxury to walls and countertops.

• Maintenance: Porcelain and ceramic tiles are known for their durability and low maintenance. Regular cleaning with appropriate products will keep the tiles looking pristine. As a sustainable and hygienic product, it also boasts a prolonged product life.

The guest pool area in this hospitality design project effortlessly highlights the use of Crossville Inc.’s Stone Fiction (in Travertine Coffee) with its surroundings. (Image courtesy Crossville Inc.

Metallic accents, combined with Mocha Mousse-inspired background color, inspires a serene, rhythmic movement on this feature wall. Shown here is Boreal Foundry Bronze (24” x 48”) Artisan Decor Porcelain Wall Tile from Tile Bar. (Image courtesy of Tile Bar)

Complementary Tile Choices for Mocha Mousse

Classic Neutrals Pairing Mocha Mousse with neutral-toned tile creates a balanced and serene environment. Porcelain and ceramic tiles in shades of soft beige, cream, or light gray work beautifully to highlight the warmth of a room or space. Suggested Use: Use neutral-shaded tile on floors or walls to create a calming backdrop. For example, utilizing Mocha Mousse on the walls not only adds depth, but when combined with a creamy-hued floor tile, a bathroom can exude a spa-like feel.

Earthy Greens and Blues Earth-inspired hues like sage green, olive, or muted teal complement the organic feel of Mocha Mousse. These tones evoke nature, thereby enhancing a sense of calm. Suggested Use: Use green or blue handmade ceramic tiles as backsplashes in kitchens or as accent strips in bathrooms. When paired with Mocha Mousse on the surrounding walls or floors, this combination creates a tranquil yet sophisticated space.

Bright Whites Crisp white tiles provide a striking contrast to Mocha Mousse, creating a clean and modern look. White tiles with textured surfaces, such as matte or glossy finishes, add dimension while keeping the palette fresh and light. Suggested Use: Use white porcelain subway tiles for kitchen backsplashes, complemented by Mocha Mousse cabinetry or countertops for a contemporary, balanced design.

Metallic Accents Metallic tiles in bronze, copper, or gold bring a touch of luxury to interiors. The sheen and movement of metallics adds visual interest and depth, particularly in modern or industrial-inspired spaces. Suggested Use: Incorporate metallic tiles as decorative accents or in mosaic patterns alongside neutral-toned tile for a bold, upscale look in kitchens or living rooms.

Tile Patterns and Textures to Enhance Mocha Mousse Herringbone and Chevron Patterns Installing tile in herringbone or chevron patterns creates a visually engaging, highly dynamic space. To enhance this visual, select neutral or complementary toned tile (such as gray or muted green) to pair with walls. Textured Tile Textured tiles, such as ribbed, stone-like, or 3D designs, amplify their surroundings, such as feature walls or areas where tactile elements are desired (fireplace surrounds, backsplashes). Mosaic Tile The workhorses of the tile industry – mosaics. By integrating these small-scale tiles in a mix of complementary Mocha Mousse tones – such as white, gold, or teal – creating show-stopping intricate, old-school designs is guaranteed. Large-Format Tile Conversely, to create a contemporary look, consider large-format porcelain tile, or Gauged Porcelain Tile Panels (GPTP), in neutral designs when pairing with Mocha Mousse – think minimal veining, terrazzo effects, etc. GPTP not only reduce grout lines, but they create a seamless, expansive effect. However, make sure installers are properly trained and certified to do so: For more information, check the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA).

Textures at play. The Ziggurat ceramic tile collection, “the first collection by Adam Nathaniel Furman for Marble Systems, is a celebration of simple three-dimensional forms interplaying with light,” the company notes. (Image courtesy Marble Systems)

Design by Bangia Agostinho; products used are cle’s fornace brioni + cristina celestino | cotto bianco | listello. (Photo by Pia Ulin; courtesy cle tile)

Room-Specific Application Utilizing Mocha Mousse as a base color for rooms, architects and designers can specify large floor tiles, paired with lighter-toned furniture and metallic accent pieces, to showcase feature walls – bonus design points when combined with textured tile for added depth and a natural focal point. For kitchens, combining backsplash tile that blends well with Mocha Mousse wall paint, will pair seamlessly with white or cream cabinetry for a bright, airy look. Metallic tile used as edging accents or as insets within a pattern can also add a sophisticated touch. As for creating a serene environment filled with the health and wellness benefits that we all crave, using Mocha Mousse-inspired tile on the walls or floors, paired with soft sage green or light gray accents, will provide the much-desired ambience. Yet again, textured tile in these hues can further enhance the calming ambiance.

Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, offers endless opportunities to create stunning interiors when paired with complementary porcelain and ceramic tile. Whether you opt for earthy greens, classic neutrals, or bold metallics, the key is to balance the warmth of this year’s hue with textures and tones that enhance its natural elegance. With careful material selection, any space or area can be transformed into a timeless, welcoming, and on-trend haven that reflects both functionality and style.