If you’re searching for the freshest paint color Canada trends for 2025, you’re in the right place. This long, practical guide explains which colours are dominating Canadian homes, why designers are choosing them, real-life room examples, how to test colours in your light, and which Canadian brands and stores to check. Read on for step-by-step advice, colour combos that actually work, and a checklist so you don’t make costly mistakes.
Quick snapshot — the headline trends for 2025
- Quiet, nuanced warm tones (plum-brown mixes like Cinnamon Slate). (benjaminmoore.com)
- Muted, nature-linked greens (sage, eucalyptus, moss).
- Moody deep hues (navy, charcoal, plum) used as anchors or accent walls.
- Soft pastels and powder blues for bright, calming rooms.
- Textured, layered colour treatments — two-tone walls, coloured ceilings, and “colour capping.” (Designlines Magazine)
Below we unpack how to use each trend in real Canadian homes, where these looks work best, and where to buy paint and samples in Canada.
Why 2025’s paint palette feels different
After years of pure cool gray and stark white supremacy, 2025’s mood swings warmer and more tactile. Colours that read as “quietly colourful” — that is, hues with subtle undertones and warmth — are winning because they feel cozy year-round, pair well with wood and natural materials, and hide the everyday scuffs of real family life. Paint companies across the board chose richer, more complex colours as their Colour(s) of the Year for 2025, signalling the shift industry-wide. (benjaminmoore.com)
1 — Cinnamon Slate & quietly colourful warm tones
Benjamin Moore’s 2025 Colour of the Year is Cinnamon Slate (2113-40) — a heathered mix of plum and velvety brown that sits between neutral and statement. It’s designed to be adaptable: it can read brown, plum or grey depending on light and pairing, which is exactly why many Canadian houses are embracing warmer, nuanced neutrals instead of flat creams. Use it as a moody dining room wall, a cosy bedroom backdrop, or an accent kitchen cabinet colour. (benjaminmoore.com)
How to use it:
- Accent wall: paint the wall behind your bed or dining table in Cinnamon Slate; keep trims and ceilings lighter.
- Cabinet colour: try Cinnamon Slate on a kitchen island with warm wood open shelving.
- Whole room: in a bright room with south light, Cinnamon Slate can be used for a whole living room for a restorative, cocooning effect.
Why it works in Canada: It reads warm in overcast winter light, and in summer the plum undertones pop against greenery outside.
2 — Muted greens: biophilic, calming, and very Canadian
Muted greens — sage, eucalyptus, olive and moss — remain among the strongest paint color Canada trends. They bring a subtle sense of nature indoors and pair beautifully with wood floors, leather, and natural textiles. Landscape proximity (lakes, forests) in many Canadian regions makes these shades feel locally appropriate. Designers use these greens for kitchen islands, powder rooms, and bedroom ceilings for a restful, nature-linked look. (ouicolourpaint.ca)
Practical pairings:
- Sage green island + warm white uppers + oak shelves.
- Eucalyptus bedroom with linen bedding and matte brass hardware.
- Olive accent wall behind a bookcase with leather armchairs for a study.
Testing tip: Because greens shift a lot with light, test a 12”x12” patch near windows and by artificial light before committing.
3 — Deep and moody anchors: navy, charcoal, and plum
If you want drama without a kitchen-full of color, deep anchors are the move. Dark navy or charcoal on lower cabinets or a feature wall adds depth and looks high-end with lighter counters and warm woods. Moody tones also make great entryways and dining rooms where you want a sheltering feel. Use matte or satin finishes for depth and to hide marks. Trade and design roundups show continued popularity for these saturated, confident tones in 2025. (Designlines Magazine)
How to balance moody colours:
- Keep ceilings and trim crisp light to avoid the room feeling small.
- Introduce warm metals (aged brass) and wood to lift the mood.
- Use area rugs and layered lighting so the darker walls don’t swallow the room.
4 — Soft pastels and powder blues — calm and modern
Powder blue and soft pastels are trending where people want airy calm without sterile white. Bedrooms, nurseries, and small bathrooms benefit — these colours bounce light and make compact spaces feel larger. Designers are using these hues for colour-on-colour schemes (varying tones of the same colour) to create depth without strong contrast. (Designlines Magazine)
Best uses:
- Powder blue bedroom ceiling as a “sky” effect.
- Soft pastel hallway for a calm, cohesive transition between rooms.
- Pair pastels with warm wood to keep them feeling grounded.
5 — Two-tone walls, coloured ceilings, and colour capping
2025 sees creative treatments — not just one flat wall. Two-tone treatments, where the lower third gets a darker tone and the upper two-thirds a lighter one, add structure. Coloured ceilings are back: painting the ceiling a soft hue creates a cocooning effect. New techniques like “colour capping” (using multiple shades of one colour family to create warmth and depth) are being recommended by designers for 2026 and are already influencing 2025 schemes. These moves let you introduce richer colours without overwhelming. (Real Simple)
Implementation ideas:
- Dark lower wall + warm neutral upper wall with a thin trim to divide.
- Soft green ceiling with white walls to add a subtle, enveloping hue.
- Toned repeats: choose a main colour and cap trim, doors, or cabinetry in a deeper related shade for cohesion.
6 — Textures, finishes and practical choices
Colour is only half the story — finish and texture matter, especially in Canadian homes that face changing seasons.
Finish tips:
- Eggshell/satin for walls: good balance of washability and low sheen.
- Satin or semi-gloss for trim and kitchens: easier to clean and more durable.
- Matte for cozy rooms: modern matte finishes are popular for living rooms and bedrooms but choose high-quality paint to avoid scuffs.
- Specialty textured paints or limewash lend subtle depth for feature walls.
Practical note: For high-traffic family areas (mudrooms, kitchens), use washable, stain-resistant lines and low-VOC formulas — they’re widely available at Canadian dealers.
7 — The big paint companies in Canada and their 2025 directions
Several major paint brands announced their 2025 colours and palettes — useful to know when sourcing paint and coordinating palettes.
- Benjamin Moore: Cinnamon Slate is their 2025 Color of the Year and anchors a palette of quietly colourful hues. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Dulux: Dulux’s 2025 palettes include warmer, expressive tones and trend directions that emphasize earth and craft. (dulux.ca)
- PPG / Sico: PPG/Sico also offered deep, atmospheric colours in their 2025 announcements, showing a broader industry move toward moody, complex hues. (Canadian Interiors)
Why this matters: these brands’ trend picks influence what you’ll find in local dealers and which pre-mixed collections are available in Canada — useful when you want ready alternatives or palette guides.
8 — How to choose your paint color Canada: a step-by-step method
- Define the room’s purpose. Sleep = calm colours; cooking/entertaining = bold or easy-to-clean neutrals.
- Take permanent surfaces as anchors. Match paint to flooring, countertops, and major furniture.
- Order samples (not just chips). Get 4″×6″ sample pots and paint 1–2 full door or 12″x12″ patches.
- View at different times. Natural morning light, midday, and artificial evening light will change perception.
- Try trims and finishes. A colour with the right trim finish can read warmer or cooler.
- Scale color with furniture. Large rooms can handle stronger colours; small rooms should favour lighter tones or single accent walls.
- Live with it for 48–72 hours. Wear the colour in different light and activities before committing.
If you’d like, I can suggest three exact paint names from Benjamin Moore / Dulux once you tell me the room and direction (warm, cool, moody).
9 — Real-life room examples (what Canadians are actually doing)
- Toronto condo living room: Cinnamon Slate on a single feature wall, paired with warm oak shelves and cream sofa — the wall reads plum in evening, brown in daylight, and ties living and dining zones. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Vancouver kitchen: Sage green island, warm off-white uppers, and matte black hardware — a nature-linked palette that handles humidity and light.
- Calgary dining room: Deep navy lower walls with warm plaster upper walls and brass fixtures for a moody yet cozy dining experience. (Designlines Magazine)
Each of these examples leverages one of the big trends (quiet warm tones, muted greens, or deep anchors) and pairs it with practical finishes.
10 — Where to buy paint and samples in Canada (local vendors & tips)
- Benjamin Moore Canada — full range of colours, Colour of the Year resources, and local dealers for samples. Many independent dealers offer expert mixing and cabinet-grade formulas. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Dulux Canada — trend collections, digital tools and sample programs; widely available via hardware chains. (dulux.ca)
- Home Depot Canada / RONA / Lowe’s Canada — carry major brands, sample pots and often run local colour clinics. Good for accessibility and price comparisons.
- Local paint stores & independent dealers — best for colour advice and cabinet-grade or high-end finishes; they often have sample books and pro guidance.
- Specialty brands & coatings — consider lines offering low-VOC, washable, and durable formulas for Canadian climates.
Shopping tip: buy sample pots from the same brand/line you intend to use — off-brand matches can vary.
11 — Common mistakes Canadians make (and how to avoid them)
- Choosing from a screen only. Always test physical samples in your room.
- Ignoring undertones. A “warm white” might have yellow or pink undertones that clash with your wood flooring.
- Using too many strong colours at once. Keep a simple 3-colour palette: main, trim, accent.
- Skipping finish selection. The same pigment in matte vs satin behaves differently under light.
- Not factoring seasonal light. Northern homes with long winters benefit from warmer, richer tones for cosiness.
12 — Budget & painting strategy
- DIY: buy quality brushes/rollers, prime where needed, and plan for two coats. Sample 4″×6″ pots first.
- Pro: a painter brings speed, consistent finish, and help with tricky areas (ceilings, textured walls, cabinetry). Expect labour to be a significant portion of the total cost.
- Paint grade: for cabinets and trim, choose cabinet-grade or acrylic enamel finishes for durability. For walls, high-quality acrylic latex with good coverage saves time and coats.
Cost note: Pricing varies by city and finish — get two or three quotes before committing.
13 — Quick colour combos to try (starter palettes)
- Cinnamon Slate + Warm Cream + Walnut accents — cozy whole-home palette. (benjaminmoore.com)
- Sage Green + Off-White + Matte Black fittings — modern cottage or urban kitchen.
- Deep Navy + Pale Grey + Brass — dramatic modern classic for dining or study. (Designlines Magazine)
- Powder Blue + Warm White + Natural Oak — bedroom or bathroom calm palette.
- Terracotta Accent + Warm Beige + Stone — earth-linked, tactile living area palette.
Final checklist before you buy paint
- Pick 3 candidate colours and order sample pots.
- Paint 12”×12” patches in at least two directions/light exposures.
- Live with samples for 48–72 hours, check morning and evening.
- Choose finish for walls vs trim vs cabinets.
- If hiring painters, ask about surface prep, primer, and warranty.
- Buy extra paint (10–15%) for touchups and future matching.