Guides
November 17, 2025
Summary:
The paint industry’s biggest names have spoken, and their 2025 color choices couldn’t be more different from the stark whites and cool grays we’ve been seeing. Benjamin Moore’s Cinnamon Slate embraces “quietly colorful hues” that feel sophisticated without being overwhelming—perfect for Michigan homes where natural light can be limited during winter months.
Sherwin-Williams takes a different approach with Quietude, “a soft sage with a whisper of blue influence” designed for “transcendent tranquility.” Both colors represent something important: the shift toward more nuanced, complex shades that change subtly as light moves through your rooms throughout the day.
What’s driving this change? Homeowners are gravitating toward deeper hues like brown and burgundy, which are quickly gaining steam as emerging colors for 2025. These aren’t the stark, cold colors of previous years. They’re warm, inviting shades that make rooms feel more intimate and comfortable—exactly what we need during Michigan’s long winters.
Step into any beautifully designed home this year and you’ll likely see them: warm, earthy hues like terracotta, olive green, and warm beige that work beautifully in living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms. But these aren’t just trendy colors—they’re practical choices for our climate.
During Michigan’s long winters, warm earth tones help combat the psychological effects of limited sunlight. They create spaces that feel naturally heated and welcoming, even when snow is piling up outside your windows. We recommend pairing these shades with natural materials like wood or stone for a cohesive look that feels both current and timeless.
The beauty of earthy tones lies in their versatility. Terracotta works as both a statement wall color and a subtle accent, pairing beautifully with neutral tones and wooden furniture. Olive green provides depth without overwhelming smaller spaces. These colors also photograph well for homeowners who plan to sell, creating that sought-after “warm and inviting” feeling that buyers connect with emotionally.
Unlike trendy colors that might feel dated in a few years, earth tones have staying power. They’re colors you can live with for decades, making them a smart investment for any interior painting project. We’re seeing this firsthand as homeowners throughout Macomb County, MI and Oakland County, MI request these shades for whole-home makeovers.
Accent walls aren’t going anywhere, but the way homeowners are using them has completely evolved. The approach is bolder and more creative, with homeowners opting for rich colors like navy blue, deep emerald green, and even black to make a statement, using them to define spaces such as highlighting the area behind a bed or framing a seating arrangement.
The key difference this year is intentionality. Rather than painting an accent wall just because it’s trendy, homeowners are using them strategically to solve design problems or highlight architectural features. These walls work particularly well in home offices, adding depth and character while providing an easy way to experiment with paint color trends without committing to a full-room makeover.
But here’s where it gets interesting: two-tone walls are becoming an exciting trend, where dividing a wall horizontally or vertically using two complementary colors creates a layered, dynamic look that works particularly well in dining rooms or children’s bedrooms.
The technique requires precision to look professional. Many homeowners are turning to experienced painting contractors who understand how to create clean lines and choose complementary colors that enhance rather than compete with existing furnishings. When done correctly, an accent wall becomes the room’s focal point while maintaining the overall flow of your home’s design aesthetic.
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Flat walls are getting a makeover this year, and it’s about time. Textures are taking center stage in 2025, with limewash and Italian plaster finishes rising in popularity, offering sophisticated and artisanal looks while creating soft, nuanced color variations that feel organic and calming.
The limewashing trend transforms plain walls into soft, textured works of art using a centuries-old technique that adds a natural, layered vibe, creating a soft, cloud-like texture with subtle variations that add depth and movement.
These finishes work particularly well in Michigan homes because they add visual interest without relying solely on color. During our gray winter months, textured walls catch and reflect available light in ways that flat paint simply can’t match. The result? Rooms that feel more dynamic and interesting, even on the dreariest February day.
Glossy walls had their moment, but 2025 belongs to matte. Shiny, reflective surfaces are taking a backseat as matte finishes gain traction, offering a soft, velvety appearance that feels both modern and understated, particularly effective in neutral tones but also making bold colors look more sophisticated.
The appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Matte finishes hide imperfections better than glossier paints, which is particularly valuable in older Michigan homes where wall surfaces might not be perfectly smooth. We recommend matte finishes for their ability to create smooth, flawless looks that work beautifully in open spaces where lighting can enhance their subtle texture.
Here’s the catch: matte finishes require more skill to apply properly. They show brush marks and roller patterns more easily than satin or semi-gloss paints, which means the preparation work becomes even more critical. We understand the techniques needed to achieve that perfect, even finish that makes matte paint look intentional rather than amateur.
For homeowners considering matte finishes, understand the maintenance requirements. While they look stunning, they’re more difficult to clean than higher-gloss finishes. This makes them better suited for low-traffic areas like bedrooms and formal living spaces rather than high-use areas like kitchens or children’s playrooms.
Look up. Seriously. Ceilings, often called the “fifth wall,” are finally getting attention, with homeowners painting them in bold colors or adding patterns to create striking focal points, and when done by skilled interior painters, a statement ceiling can elevate the entire room.
Options include metallic finishes for glamorous touches in formal spaces, or dark tones like charcoal for dramatic, cozy effects in bedrooms. This trend works particularly well in Michigan homes with higher ceilings, where the additional visual interest draws the eye upward and makes spaces feel more dynamic.
The key to successful ceiling treatments is understanding how they interact with your room’s lighting and proportions. A dark ceiling can make a large room feel more intimate, while a lighter, textured ceiling can add interest to a smaller space without overwhelming it. We consider factors like natural light exposure, room function, and existing décor when recommending ceiling treatments.
Painted ceilings also offer practical benefits. They can help define different areas in open-concept homes, create visual boundaries, or even make architectural features like beams or moldings more prominent. The investment in a professionally painted statement ceiling often pays dividends in both daily enjoyment and home value—it’s a detail that potential buyers notice and remember.
The interior painting trends for 2025 represent more than just color changes—they’re about creating spaces that feel both current and timeless, sophisticated yet comfortable. Whether you’re drawn to the quiet elegance of Cinnamon Slate, the earthy warmth of terracotta, or the artisanal appeal of textured finishes, the key is choosing trends that work with your home’s architecture and your lifestyle.
Michigan’s unique climate considerations make professional application even more important this year. High moisture levels can cause issues like streaking, bubbling, or uneven finishes, particularly in bathrooms or during Michigan’s humid summers. The sophisticated finishes trending in 2025 require expertise that comes from understanding both the products and local conditions.
When you’re ready to bring these exciting trends to your home, we combine over a decade of painting experience with an understanding of what works in Macomb County, MI and Oakland County, MI homes. The investment in professional interior painting pays dividends in both the immediate transformation and the long-term durability that lets you enjoy these beautiful trends for years to come.
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