Event Design Ideas Inspired by Pantone’s Color of the Year 2025

Here’s how to incorporate Mocha Mousse into your events in the new year—from linens to seating to even florals.

December 16, 2024

Japanese-crafted, New York-based Ultrafabrics has teamed up with Pantone for the third year to share its expertise through a series of interactive events, exclusive color palettes, and color customization across its range.Photo: Courtesy of UltrafabricsLast week, Pantone introduced its Color of the Year 2025—PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse—which the institute described as “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth.”

While some folks thought it looks like something less than appealing, the color is meant to suggest the “delectable quality of cacao, chocolate, and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort.”

In celebration of the 26th anniversary of Pantone Color of the Year, for the first time, the institute is hosting events and experiences around the world—from New York and London to Shanghai and Mumbai.

First up, Pantone partnered with the lastminute.com London Eye to unveil the Color of the Year with a light show that was live for the public to view on Dec. 5.

As for its use in event design, the color evokes a feeling of the comfort of home, whether appearing on flooring or a painted wall and in more natural materials including wood, stone, rattan, wicker, leather, and linen.

Here are some inspiring ways to incorporate Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year into your upcoming events...

Japanese-crafted, New York-based Ultrafabrics has teamed up with Pantone for the third year to share its expertise through a series of interactive events, exclusive color palettes, and color customization across its range.

Photo: Courtesy of Ultrafabrics

Joybird’s collaboration with Pantone features the brand’s top-selling performance fabric, Royale, in Mocha Mousse, available in over 300 silhouettes, including sofas, sectionals, sleeper sofas, upholstered bed frames, accent chairs, ottomans, pillows, slipcovers, and more. Royale was selected specifically for this collaboration due to its silk-like hand feel and fine knit velvet weave to provide that extra sense of comfort, warmth, and indulgence, much like the inspiration around the color. (Pictured: the Amelia grand chair)

Photo: Courtesy of Joybird

Dot an event space with the movable swivel Marche ottoman with a white gloss metal base and distressed brown vinyl seat from Cort Events.

Photo: Courtesy of Cort Events

Taylor Creative's Slattery Collection features an elegant walnut finish, black slate laminate, black steel shelves, and LED lighting. It consists of a bar, corner, wall with shelves, and wall without shelving. All elements can be custom branded by an outside vendor for an additional charge. Items are available from the New York rental location for events nationwide. Pricing covers a one- to five-day rental period and starts at $275 per piece.

Photo: Courtesy of Taylor Creative

The Maison dining table from Nuage Designs is a classic option that speaks to the earthy feel of the hue.

Photo: Courtesy of Nuage Designs

This mocha velour drape from Cort Events offers an easy way to incorporate the color into your event.

Photo: Courtesy of Cort Events

Nuage Designs’ Walnut chair features a natural material in a comforting color that evokes a sense of home.

Photo: Courtesy of Nuage Designs

The Foster area rug from Taylor Creative is made from 100% wool in a cappuccino shade. It's available from the New York rental location for events nationwide. Pricing covers a one- to five-day rental period and costs $400 per piece.

Photo: Courtesy of Taylor Creative

The soft coffee-brown velvet compact Valencia loveseat from Cort Events offers a retro vibe with modern flair.

Photo: Courtesy of Cort Events

In Alison Hotchkiss of Alison Events’ third book, Gorgeous Gatherings, readers will find practical advice for creating everyday celebrations inspired by stunning event destinations. For a wedding at the Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel Valley, Calif., Hotchkiss featured warm beiges, creamy cappuccinos, and deep brown hues in the furniture.

Photo: Norman + Blake

“With a nod to ikebana, the centuries-old Japanese art of flower arranging, Studio Mondine carefully installed brown lisianthus, smoke bush, carrot flower, blue clematis, koala fern, and purple allium in a variety of low vessels, using floral frogs to securely hold the stems in place,” reads an excerpt from Hotchkiss’ book about a weekend event held on Naoshima Island in Japan.

Photo: Norman + Blake

“For each place setting, we used deep redwood-colored plates by Heath Ceramics and marbleized flatware by Sabre from Theoni Collection. Both contrasted nicely with the white-linen tablecloth,” describes Hotchkiss in the book about a wedding held at The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, Calif., just north of Santa Barbara.

Photo: Norman + Blake

Musaafer, an opulent Indian restaurant nestled in Houston’s ritzy Galleria area, celebrated its third anniversary at its sold-out “House of Illusions” event. Each corner of the restaurant transformed into distinct themed experiences with decor designed by Art Attack. This included an impressive food spread laid out on a rustic "chef's table." The camouflaged table featured savory and sweet bites, including these truffles, and earthy decor like mushrooms and greenery.

Photo: Raydon Creative