Color trends are not isolated phenomena; they are a reflection of the most significant cultural, political, and economic influences of their times.
Introducing Purple Basil: PPG's 2025 Color of the Year
Over the years, various movements and events have shaped the color preferences of different eras. In the 1970s, the peace movement and growing environmental consciousness introduced organic, earthy tones like harvest gold and avocado green. The early 1980s saw the rise of MTV, which not only transformed the music industry but also popularized vibrant colors such as purples and pinks. The 1990s, influenced by the grunge movement and a resurgence of retro looks, shifted preferences towards deeper, richer colors like dark plums and deep reds, marking the advent of the jewel-tone era. The global financial crisis of the late 1990s brought about a dominance of grays in the early 2000s, which proved to be one of the most enduring color trends in modern-day history. This was followed by the biophilic design aesthetic that included nature-inspired greens throughout the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020.
Today, we are in a new era of creativity, spirituality, and learning, driven largely by the rise of artificial intelligence. This technology is fostering unprecedented change and opportunity, leading to a shift from softer, safer palettes to more dynamic, richer hues.
“It’s a transformative time with endless new possibilities we haven’t even imagined, driven by new tools that are bolstering human creativity,” said Vanessa Peterson, PPG global color styling lead, consumer products, Industrial Coatings “Consumers are embracing this time of change and movement, and we’re seeing color trends reflect the need for dynamic colors, moving past the soft, more banal, safe color choices in favor of now rich jewel tones, deeper earthen pastels and ancestral-inspired midtones.”
PPG Names 2025 Color of the Year
In September, PPG named Purple Basil (PPG1046-7) as the 2025 Color of the Year. This dusty violet with mauve undertones, Purple Basil signifies a movement away from lighter, airier hues in favor of deeper, richer colors, a trend evident in everything from fashion to interior design.
Positioned between a mid and dark tone, Purple Basil is a deeper shaded purple, yet muted because it is desaturated. The color is multidimensional with depth and layers with a touch of richness and warmth from the red pigments in its composition. Despite its darker pigments, Purple Basil is perfectly balanced— not too bold or too bright — imparting a sense of serenity, comfort and elegance.
PPG Purple Basil complements both traditional and edgier designs and brings a fresh aesthetic to consumer products, building applications like windows and doors, office furniture and automotive, bicycle and motorcycle applications.
The interplay between blue and red elements in Purple Basil exudes a kinetic energy that seamlessly flows throughout the four meticulously curated coordinating color collections: Extra Celestial, Bio-Fuse, Artificial, and Earth and Archive.
“As consumers embrace an unprecedented period of newness, movement is a distinct global theme shaping design trends in numerous industries,” said Vanessa Peterson. “The Kinetic color theme reflects the need for self-reliance in a fast-paced world. It also highlights the interplay between nature and science that is driving innovation, and the influence of new tools like artificial intelligence that are fostering boundless creativity.”
Color Forecasting Process
PPG is not just a leading manufacturer of industrial coatings; it is a trusted color partner for industrial designers, consumer product manufacturers and architects. With its global leadership in color, PPG helps to shape the styling direction of their products, ensuring that they are on-trend and beautiful. To inspire innovative designs, PPG annually introduces a signature color and complementary palette that reflects — and anticipates — color direction for the foreseeable future.
In the ever-evolving world of color, staying ahead of trends is an important area of focus for product manufacturers. PPG supports these efforts through a rigorous color forecasting process that blends part art and science and a touch of mystery.
Representing a broad range of global regions and industries like automotive, aerospace, architectural, consumer products and industrial sectors, dozens of PPG stylists meet at an annual color workshop to dissect social, political, cultural and design influences that shape color direction. The result is a comprehensive color forecast unrivaled in scope within the coatings industry.
The chosen color of the year and accompanying color palettes are thoughtfully curated to resonate with buyers of consumer electronics, office furniture, kitchenware and building and architectural products.