Paint is one of the most powerful tools in home design. The right color can create warmth, comfort, and a sense of nostalgia, making a space truly feel like home.

“Many underestimate paint’s ability to evoke a sense of feeling,” says Paula Taylor, head stylist and trend specialist for Graham & Brown. “We’ve long left behind minimalist sterile spaces that promised to promote the addition of light and have instead opted for tones that can still brighten up spaces but also add warmth into our interior schemes.”

That’s why we’re taking a page from our mother’s and grandmother’s decorating playbooks to bring back some of the coziness and love we remember from every space in their homes. “Creating inviting homes that promote feelings of security, warmth, and relaxation is vital; psychologically, we need to escape from the overstimulating world when we return to our sanctuaries,” says Taylor. A dose of these nostalgic paint colors promises to do just that.

Burnt Clay

In the 90s, terracotta shades reigned as a favorite for saturating spaces in warmth. To give this nostalgic shade new life in 2025, Taylor recommends a burnt clay pick like Graham & Brown Arizona Sky to create a warm and inviting space. “The orange-red hue works well with deep-stained woods and black metal hardware finishes, making it a first choice for bringing kitchens or sunrooms to life,” she says.

Try These Shades:

• Benjamin Moore Warmed Cognac AF-235
• Benjamin Moore Rust 2175-30
• Farrow & Ball Bamboozle No. 304

Cocoa

The rich chocolate tones popular in the 1970s are ready for an updated take with cocoa-inspired shades like Graham & Brown Elderton, says Taylor. She explains that the cozy and decadent shade works well with secondary shades featuring taupe undertones and can effectively create a cocoon-like feel when used in living spaces. It also creates a wonderfully old-world feel when used in smaller rooms like an office or study. Consider using a color-drenching technique when applying this shade to your space in order to provide a more modern feel.

Try These Shades:

• Benjamin Moore Cocoa Brown 2101-20
• Sherwin-Williams Caraïbe SW 9090

Green Blue

While nature-inspired shades seem to never go out of style, striking the right tone can harken back to the 1940s and 50s when the serene shade was popular not only in homes, but in car interiors as well, says Taylor. “A timeless yet traditional green-blue shade is a true chameleon that changes on the light through the day, shifting from green to blue,” she explains. “Incorporate this shade into entrance halls of traditional properties or add a sophisticated nod to dining or living spaces.”

Try These Shades:

• Graham & Brown 1946
• Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue No. 289

Pastel Blue

When you’re looking for a nostalgic shade to coat a space with lots of warm light, Taylor says a soft blue might be just the ticket. You’re on the right track if you suddenly have visions of your childhood bath with pale blue tiled walls and countertops. Though we can certainly appreciate the nostalgia of a good mid-century bath, let this easy-going shade skew toward a decidedly modern take with Graham & Brown’s Rowing Boat. “The soft muted pastel blue with Aegean green undertone sits perfectly in rooms with plenty of warm light,” Taylor says. “Its cooling undertone makes it a serene shade perfect for setting in areas to relax such as bedrooms or bathrooms.”.

Try These Shades:

• Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue HC-144
• Sherwin-Williams Sleepy Blue SW 6225

Peach

“Interiors saw the reinvigoration of staple 80s magnolia, in the form of a more orange-hued peach in 2024,” says Taylor. To put this shade to use in your home, she advises opting for a paint color like Graham & Brown Peach Pit with red undertones that will lend a decidedly playful tone. It works particularly well when used as an accent color in bedrooms, whether it’s used in furniture, on trim, or as an accent wall.

Try These Shades:

• Sherwin-Williams Nearly Peach SW 6336
• Benjamin Moore Antique Coral 1198
• Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster No. 231