PHOTOS COURTESY PPG

Say so long to neutrals and get ready to add some mystery and drama to your life — or at least to your decor. 

Pittsburgh-based PPG has revealed Purple Basil, a warm, high-impact violet, as its 2025 pick for Color of the Year. 

“So many people start their color selection journey looking at bold hues, but ultimately settle for a more expected or muted color,” says Ashley McCollum, PPG color expert, Glidden brand. “This year we are encouraging these ‘color chip daydreamers,’ as we call them, to put aside trepidation about what the neighbors will think or potential resale value. For 2025, purple isn’t just permitted, it is encouraged.”

According to PPG’s color experts — who evaluate global social, cultural and political dynamics influencing trends when choosing a color of the year — the Glidden by PPG hue represents an appreciation for self-discovery and self-expression; this has led to the rise of maximalism in design, fashion and consumer goods

“Designers and homeowners can recreate those styles or reinterpret them in a contemporary way using Purple Basil in a less traditional way, on ceilings, built-in bookcases or kitchen cabinets,” McCollum says. 

Described as a blend of warmth and energy, Purple Basil is a luxurious shade that tips neutral while still packing a punch. Pittsburgh-based interior designer Jennifer Janeway says the deeply saturated hue can easily be woven into existing spaces when used as an accent color. 

“Try it out by painting an accent furniture piece, like a bookcase or chest, and then repeat the color in other places in the room — think wallpaper, throw pillows and art,” she says.  

For added drama, PPG’s color experts suggest “color drenching” a single room in Purple Basil by applying it to walls, ceilings, bookcases and trim. For the exterior, the color makes a bold front door statement, or can liven up an otherwise traditional facade when applied to shutters, window boxes or mailboxes. 

“From coupling it with abstract or vintage wallpaper to liven up a powder room or adding it to cabinetry in a kitchen, Purple Basil’s versatility can add a hint of drama to just about any space in your home,” a press release from PPG said.  

Janeway adds that pairing the regal hue with complementary colors such as rosemary green, mustard yellow, or even a deep magenta, provides a nice foundation for a fresh color palette.

“If you don’t have a lot of strong, saturated color throughout your home but still want to try out Purple Basil, an ancillary space like a basement bar or theater room is a great way to experiment with this hue,” she says. “Bar area cabinetry, paired with brass hardware, would look stunning in this shade, and provide a fun and unexpected pop of color.”