Color Trends in Web Design for 2025 Exploring Earthy Tones Dark Modes and Accessibility

An example of one of our site designs with earthy tones

Web design continues to evolve rapidly, and color choices play a crucial role in shaping user experience. In 2025, designers are turning to palettes that not only catch the eye but also create meaningful, comfortable interactions. This year, earthy tones and muted pastels are gaining traction for their calming effects, while dark mode designs are becoming more popular for their sleek, modern appeal. At the same time, ensuring strong contrast remains essential to make websites accessible to all users. This post explores these trends in detail, showing how they work together to build engaging, inclusive digital spaces.

The Calming Power of Earthy Tones and Muted Pastels

Earthy tones and muted pastels are reshaping the way websites feel. These colors draw inspiration from nature—think soft browns, gentle greens, warm beiges, and dusty pinks. They create a sense of calm and balance, which helps users stay focused and relaxed during their visit.

Why Earthy Tones Work

• Natural connection: Colors like terracotta, olive green, and sandy beige evoke the outdoors, which can reduce stress and improve mood.

• Timeless appeal: These shades avoid the harshness of bright colors, making designs feel more grounded and enduring.

• Versatility: Earthy tones pair well with many other colors, allowing designers to create layered, sophisticated palettes.

  
  

Muted Pastels for Softness

Muted pastels, such as pale lavender, soft peach, and powder blue, add a gentle touch without overwhelming the senses. They work well for backgrounds, buttons, and accents, providing subtle visual interest.

Examples of Earthy and Pastel Use

• Airbnb uses warm, earthy colors in its interface to create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages exploration.

• Etsy incorporates muted pastels in product displays, helping items stand out while maintaining a soft, inviting look.

  
  

These palettes help users feel comfortable, encouraging longer visits and deeper engagement.

The Rise of Dark Mode Vibes

Dark mode has moved beyond a simple feature to a full design trend. It offers a sleek, modern look that many users prefer, especially in low-light environments. Dark backgrounds with light text reduce eye strain and can make colors pop in striking ways.

Benefits of Dark Mode

• Visual comfort: Dark mode reduces glare and blue light exposure, which can ease eye fatigue.

• Battery saving: On OLED screens, dark mode uses less power, extending device battery life.

• Highlighting content: Bright colors and images stand out more against dark backgrounds, creating dramatic effects.

  
  

Designing for Dark Mode

Effective dark mode design requires careful color choices to maintain readability and visual hierarchy. Pure black backgrounds can be harsh, so designers often use dark grays or blues to soften the effect.

Successful Dark Mode Examples

• Spotify uses dark mode to emphasize album art and controls, creating an immersive music experience.

• GitHub offers a dark theme that enhances code readability and reduces eye strain for developers.

  
  

Dark mode is no longer just an option; it’s a style that enhances the overall aesthetic and usability of websites.

Comparison of earthy tones and dark mode in web design

Contrast and Accessibility: Making Designs Inclusive

Color trends are exciting, but they must not come at the cost of accessibility. Contrast between text and background is vital to ensure that all users, including those with visual impairments, can navigate and understand content easily.

Why Contrast Matters

• Readability: Text must stand out clearly from backgrounds to prevent eye strain and confusion.

• Inclusivity: Users with color blindness or low vision rely on strong contrast to access information.

• Compliance: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set standards for minimum contrast ratios.

  
  

Tips for Using Contrast Effectively

• Use tools like the WebAIM Contrast Checker to test color combinations.

• Avoid using color alone to convey information; combine with icons or text labels.

• Balance contrast with aesthetics by choosing harmonious color pairs that meet accessibility standards.

  
  

Examples of Accessible Contrast

• BBC News uses high contrast text on clean backgrounds, making headlines easy to read for all users.

• Apple’s website combines dark mode with bright, contrasting text and buttons, ensuring clarity without sacrificing style.

  
  

By prioritizing contrast, designers create websites that welcome everyone, improving user satisfaction and reach.

Bringing It All Together: Trends in Action

The best websites in 2025 blend these color trends thoughtfully. Earthy tones and muted pastels set a calm, inviting mood. Dark mode adds modern flair and comfort for extended use. Strong contrast ensures that all users can engage fully with the content.

Practical Tips for Designers

• Start with a neutral earthy base and add pastel accents for warmth.

• Offer a dark mode toggle to give users control over their viewing experience.

• Test all color combinations for contrast and accessibility before launch.

  
  

Real-World Inspiration

• Patagonia’s website uses earthy greens and browns to reflect its outdoor brand values, combined with accessible text contrast.

• Notion offers a dark mode that highlights content blocks clearly, with muted pastel highlights for interactive elements.

  
  

These examples show how color trends can enhance both form and function.

Color choices in web design are more than just aesthetics. They shape how users feel, how long they stay, and how easily they navigate. Earthy tones and muted pastels create calm, inviting spaces. Dark mode offers comfort and style. Contrast ensures everyone can access content. Together, these trends define web design in 2025, making digital experiences more beautiful and inclusive.

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