As 2025 looms closer, here at H&G we're in the full swing of analyzing the latest color trends set to define how we decorate our homes in the coming year. So far, we've seen a whole range of inspiring hues, from bold to subtle, and the latest brand to weigh in is Lick with its 2025 Color Palette.
Named New Nostalgia, the palette comprises eight paint colors that take their inspiration from retro design, but with a modern twist for the year ahead. In many ways, the palette is all about balance: spanning light and dark hues; warm and cool, lending itself to both bold and pared-back design styles.
We predict this revised spin on retro style to be a major color trend for 2025, as we seek to add depth and character to our homes while maintaining a fairly neutral and sophisticated look. Read on to learn all about this new retro color palette and how to embrace it in your own room color ideas.
Lick's 2025 color palette: New Nostalgia
'At its core, nostalgia is a feeling of coziness,' explains Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design and Color Psychologist at Lick. 'Colors that feel nostalgic can bring both comfort and emotional stability and in the last year, this new wave of nostalgia has been particularly evident in the resurgence of cozy, retro color palettes inspired by past decades, specifically the 1970s.'
'This powerful connection between color and memory is at the heart of Lick’s 2025 Color Palette. We’ve reimagined these nostalgic colors for modern interiors, creating a palette that’s both emotionally resonant and surprisingly contemporary.'
The darkest paint colors within the palette are Black 02 and Purple 03, both dramatic hues that make a statement. Slightly lighter and warmer paint colors also form a key part of the palette, including Brown 02, an 'earthy dark brown with red in its undertones'; Orange 02, 'a rich earthy orange with warm brown undertones'; and Red 01, a muted, toned-down red with gray undertones.
At the lighter end of the color scale, Blue 04 is a balanced, pared-back cool blue; Taupe 03 is a light, warming neutral; and lastly, Pink 08 is powdery pink with brown undertones.
Since all of the paint colors within the palette are slightly muted and earthy, it means you can confidently decorate with them without overwhelming rooms.
Whether you prefer to make a statement with your color schemes or keep things understated, this palette allows you to do both. Spanning warm and cool hues, from light to dark, these colors work well across so many interior design styles, and Tash says that they have been designed to complement one another for a harmonious look.
'Our 2025 Color Palette is an analogous color scheme, which means that all of the colors sit next to each other on the color wheel and are incredibly compatible when used together.'
How to decorate with the New Nostalgia color palette
'The beauty of this palette is that all the colors can be used in one room or throughout the house, and there are so many different ways to style the colors together to create new and exciting color combinations,' adds Tash.
Below, we've rounded up a few of Tash's recommended ways to decorate with the palette – from color drenching to timeless neutrals.
Embrace bold color pairings
While each of the paint colors within the palette won't fail to add interest on their own, color combinations can be a great way to take the scheme a step further, and there's one particular color pairing that Lick is championing for next year: purple and brown.
Noting an uplift in search volume on the Lick website for both purple and brown paints over the past year, this bold yet classic color pairing should be on your radar for the year ahead if you want to make a proud statement.
'Purple and brown is a timeless combination which is so complimentary due to the shared richness and depth of color, supported by deep red undertones,' explains Tash. 'This pairing works particularly well in a bedroom color scheme, with Brown 02 offering grounding and assuring qualities and Purple 03 adding warmth and a touch of luxury.'
Use pink as a new neutral
Another key trend observed by Lick is the shift toward using pink as a neutral, with Pink 08 becoming a best-seller for the brand. For decorating with neutrals next year, expect shades of pink to replace traditional neutrals such as white, beige, or gray. With much more warmth, pink is a great way to create a cozy and inviting space where you'd typically use neutrals.
'Lighter pinks have very soothing qualities and will make your shoulders drop the moment you enter the room, therefore they can be used liberally throughout the home and as a dominant color in a room,' says Tash.
'Pink 08 is Lick’s duskiest, pink color that will bring warmth to a room and is super versatile, pairing with all the colors in the Lick palette, making it the perfect ‘new neutral'.'
Color drench with the darkest hues
Prefer decorating with dark paint colors? For maximum impact, Lick recommends embracing color-drenching ideas, a failsafe way to boost the cozy appeal of your home as we approach fall.
'A great way to use the darker, bolder colors in our palette is by color-drenching an entire room in them,' says Tash. 'This will tone down the intensity of the color as there is less contrast, creating spaces that feel surprisingly calm. Take your signature color and paint everything from your walls to your woodwork. Think skirting boards, radiators, doors, window frames, picture rails, and ceilings.'
There's lots of inspiration to take from this color palette, whether you're drawn to the warm orange and brown tones for a core retro look or prefer the likes of earthy pinks for a bolder take on neutrals. Either way, we expect to see lots more popularity for cozy, retro-inspired hues next year.
