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In the past, many decor lovers steered clear of rich colors. White walls, beige rugs and neutral decor were de rigueur. It’s safe to say those sad beige days are over, and BEHR’s 2025 Color of the Year, Rumors, is all the proof we need. A rich, ruby-like shade that’s both warm and just a little shocking in the best possible way, Rumors makes a statement. For those who’ve always loved color, that statement is: “Your taste was impeccable all along.” And for those just beginning to delve into a more robust color palette, that statement is: “Welcome to the red side—it’s cozy over here.”
For almost all of 2024, touches of red have been popular, appearing on runways and in homes alike. In fact, the unexpected red theory proved that adding even a hint of the vibrant shade can pull a look together and create cohesion that, for some reason, just works. But Rumors feels even more impactful than a classic cherry red. Whether you add it to a single wall or an entire room, it makes every space feel instantly sophisticated.
Rumor has it that this shade may just be the hint of luxe your house is missing.
Why Are Red Shades So Popular?
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We can never completely quit the quiet crispness of all-white decor. Recent fall home trends still favor a serene color scheme composed of seafoam and sage shades. However, there is finally room for more hues in the decor space. Homeowners and renters are interested in branching out. They’re spending more and more time at home and craving invigorating spaces.
In fact, according to a recent BEHR survey, 76% of Americans are interested in giving either an entire room or a single wall a paint job featuring some sort of red shade. Almost 75% of people surveyed think incorporating such a shade will give their dwelling more character. And we can’t help but agree. After you take that first foray into a rich color like Rumors, your home will feel refreshed.
We chatted with BEHR’s VP of Color Services, Erika Woelfel, about this red resurgence. She noted that BEHR confidently selected Rumors as the standout shade of the season after completing a deep dive into global trends as well as what’s happening in music, travel, fashion and more. Woelfel also told Forbes Home that “we’re seeing the shift in bolder color uses among designers and homeowners.” Individuals don’t want safe design choices right now, so “Rumors satisfies that desire for creating expressive color moments that make an impact.”
Why Is Rumors a Color Lover’s Dream?
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Those with a penchant for maximalism will likely find many ways to use BEHR’s 2025 Color of the Year. It’s the perfect shade for color drenching—the practice of coating multiple walls in a single color. And Woelfel agrees that “red adds drama on all four walls or as a well-paired accent.” in certain applications, Rumors can also act as a neutral backdrop for a variety of furniture, art and decor. Simultaneously, the shade can be used to make a room feel more engaging, especially in places where people convene together. Woelfel notes that those places could be “dining rooms, living spaces or kitchens.”
Want another space to layer in a few coats of this paint? Try adding Rumors to your bedroom, bathroom or office color palette for a little “sumptuous glamor” that feels equally distinctive and personal. This shade can also brave the outdoors. BEHR’s survey discovered that 86% of people find houses with red front doors to be more attention-grabbing, so it only makes sense for a color lover to give their exterior front door a ruby red Rumors makeover.
Woelfel mentioned that this shade is “part of BEHR’s new Curb Appeal Collection, a curated collection of on-trend exterior paints, stains and spray paints to elevate the exterior of your home.” So you can paint outdoor surfaces in this warm hue without worrying that it won’t hold up to outdoor weather conditions.
Can Minimalists Use BEHR’s 2025 Color of the Year?
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Rumors may be the perfect paint shade for a maximalist, but even someone with a more neutral palette can cohesively bring the BEHR 2025 Color of the Year into their home. The shade works just as well with a more vibrant color story as it does with a muted one. If you choose to combine Rumor with white walls, for example, you’ll end up with a space that feels just as striking as it does soothing.
Woelfel agrees that Rumors is incredibly versatile, noting that not only is it “possible to incorporate a bold shade into your home without committing to a maximalist design” but also that “Rumors is the perfect shade to experiment with color as it creates a warm energy and elegance while complementing existing neutrals in your space.”
For those who prefer that combination of neutral and vibrant colors, Woelfel suggests pairing Rumors with calm, muted shades like Blank Canvas, Even Better Beige and Nutmeg Frost—all from the BEHR collection. The end result will “bring sophistication to any room in the home” and offer a “fresh, crisp look [that balances] the energy of red.” If you’re after a more monochromatic aesthetic, Woelfel recommends styling “Rumors with a light neutral pink like Nutmeg Frost. Pairing Rumors with Even Better Beige creates a soft and organic space.”
Bottom Line
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Available only at The Home Depot, Rumors is the color we’ve been waiting for. It’s a strict departure from BEHR’s muted 2023 Color of the Year, Blank Canvas. And even 2024’s hue, Cracked Pepper, which was a soothing black, feels significantly different. Rumors is deep and alluring, making the statement that our homes can feature color and feel fun. Whether you prefer a Victorian-inspired style or something more subtle, Rumors can make your space feel sophisticated and perfectly balanced.
