Sherwin-Williams brands Dutch Boy Paints, Krylon, Minwax and Cabot have unveiled a Summer 2025 Color Trend Report, highlighting Digitalreal, a surrealist-inspired color movement grounded in tech, emotion and immersive design.
Curated by color experts Lisbeth Parada and Sue Kim, the report explores how colors that once felt futuristic, like bioluminescent blues, zesty greens, moody violets and fluid gradients are now defining the aesthetic of a new generation. These shades are perfect for interiors and exteriors that come alive after dark with smart lighting, backyard entertainment and more.
Color Trend Watch: Digitalreal: A New Dimension of Color
Color goes surreal this summer as AI, creativity and immersive design converge. With the Digitalreal trend, colors stretch beyond physical boundaries and feel digitally enhanced, bioluminescent and emotionally expressive. Influenced by tech, media and festival culture, this summer’s palette is rooted in imagination and inspired by moments that let us escape reality.
The Aesthetic of a New Generation
This palette resonates deeply with younger homeowners and renters who embrace tech, individuality and experimental design. Influenced by music festivals, nostalgic icons and digital expression, they’re looking for home design that reflects both their personalities and the times we’re living in. Think rainbows, disco balls, smiley faces and smart décor that blend joy, function and a bit of escapism.
This Summer’s “It” Shades
Waving Waters: Serene, expressive, dreamy — Dutch Boy Paints
A tranquil yet forward-looking blue, Waving Waters (134-4DB) evokes the feeling of drifting into a calm digital dreamscape. It’s a perfect choice for creating peaceful escapes; ideal in bedrooms, creative nooks or even outdoor retreats like porches or pergolas. Pairs beautifully with natural textures and metallic accents to bring depth.
Jungle Green: Lush, bold and unapologetically fresh — Krylon
With its rich, rainforest-inspired hue, Jungle Green injects a grounded vibrance into any summer setting. It brings a lush energy to planters, porch décor, and statement shelves while inviting the outdoors in and evoking the bold, saturated greens of tropical escapes. Whether used to complement natural textures or to make modern pieces pop, this glossy finish breathes new life into seasonal DIY projects.
Violet: Moody, tech-forward, cozy — Minwax 2025 Color of the Year
A dark, rich violet with comforting undertones, this color is a natural fit for immersive rooms like gaming spaces, media lounges or bedrooms. Violet’s depth creates emotionally charged environments that invite disconnection from the world and reconnection to creativity.
Color-Shifting Gradient: Futuristic, fluid, decorative
Think ombré bedding, iridescent tumblers and multicolor lamps. Visual motion is this summer’s biggest design flex. Whether in decor, furniture or even wall art, gradient accents reflect the blurred lines between physical and digital, bringing personality and movement into a space.
Burnt Hickory: Deep, natural, timeless — Cabot 2025 Color of the Year
This earthy, grounded hue transforms outdoor areas into inviting sanctuaries, perfect for everyday relaxation, personal rituals and special gatherings. Its neutral undertones deepen under low lighting, amplifying the warmth of fire pits, string lights and evening glow to create an intimate, peaceful escape.
