Housing News

Goodbye, Gray: The 2027 Colors of the Year Are Bringing Nature Indoors

Gray may finally be getting the cold shoulder.

After years of cool neutrals dominating home interiors, paint companies are embracing warmer, earthier colors for 2027. Deep greens, rich browns, and softened blues are taking center stage, offering homeowners fresh ways to make their spaces feel more inviting.

“I call this moving in the right, happy direction,” said Avissa Mojtahedi, a real estate agent at Christie’s International Real Estate New York in New York City.

For homeowners planning a larger painting project, such as repainting an entire home or updating cabinetry, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) may offer a way to cover the costs. A HELOC allows homeowners to borrow against their home’s equity as needed, making it useful for projects completed in stages.

Here’s a look at the colors setting the tone for 2027 and how homeowners can bring them into their spaces.

What are the 2027 colors of the year?

Several major paint brands have announced their picks for 2027, and nature hues are the common thread.

Benjamin Moore selected Webster Green, a deep, traditional green that works well in studies, libraries, and smaller rooms. Sherwin-Williams chose Celery, a lighter, yellow-tinged green that brings a softer touch to interiors.

Behr’s Grounded is an earthy olive green with brown undertones, offering a richer alternative to conventional neutrals. Valspar’s Cottage Door is a muted blue, while Dunn-Edwards’ French Press Coffee delivers a deep brown with subtle plum undertones.

Together, the selections suggest homeowners are becoming more comfortable introducing color into spaces that once might have been painted white, beige, or gray.

“The 2027 selections suggest homeowners are looking for more warmth and personality in their house,” said Cindy Praesel, co-owner of Five Star Painting in Waco, Texas, a Neighborly company.

Praesel expects the softer colors, particularly Celery and Cottage Door, to appeal to homeowners who want to experiment without making an overwhelming change.

Green is becoming the new neutral

Green has emerged as one of the defining colors of 2027, but the shades vary considerably.

Webster Green is a deeper, more traditional choice that can create a cozy atmosphere in a library, study, or powder room.

Aaron Tetzlaff, a real estate agent at Christie’s International Real Estate New York in New York City, also recommends the shade for exterior shutters, doors, and window trim, particularly on cabin-style or shingle-style homes.

Celery, meanwhile, offers a lighter alternative for kitchens, mudrooms, bedrooms, and laundry rooms.

Tetzlaff suggests homeowners consider using it somewhere unexpected: the ceiling.

“Lately, my clients have been moving away from flat white painted ceilings and instead putting lighter tinted colors on the ceiling in rooms to help adjust the tone and color of a room’s scheme,” said Tetzlaff.

Behr’s Grounded provides another option for homeowners who want a darker, more dramatic look without abandoning neutrals entirely.

Tetzlaff calls it a “bold neutral,” noting that similar shades are increasingly being used on cabinetry in kitchens, bathrooms, pantries, and mudrooms.

Rich browns and muted blues bring warmth

Green isn’t the only color making a comeback.

Dunn-Edwards’ French Press Coffee reflects growing interest in deeper browns, particularly for built-ins and smaller spaces.

Neha Gupta, an interior designer and founder of NU Curations in Lake Forest Park, Wash., recommends balancing dark brown paint with lighter colors and soft fabrics so a room doesn’t feel too heavy.

“French Press Coffee is a beautiful color, but I’d suggest homeowners try it first on a front door, furniture piece, or small powder room before committing to a larger space,” said Praesel.

Valspar’s Cottage Door offers a gentler approach. The softened blue can work on cabinets, entryways, or bedroom walls.

Gupta recommends pairing it with light wood and cream-colored accents for a finished look.

Praesel even suggests combining Cottage Door with French Press Coffee for a more adventurous color scheme.

Color drenching makes a statement

For homeowners ready to make a bigger change, color drenching remains a popular design approach.

The technique involves painting multiple surfaces in the same color, often including walls, trim, doors, and ceilings, to create a cohesive look.

Mojtahedi is currently working on a bedroom for a 12-year-old boy that incorporates green throughout the space, including the ceiling and trim.

“It will feel rich but soothing and earthy at the same time,” said Mojtahedi.

Lighter colors such as Celery can create a gentle, enveloping effect, while darker shades like Grounded can make bedrooms feel more intimate.

Consider the light before picking up a paintbrush

Even the most appealing paint color can look different once it’s on the wall.

Natural light, room orientation, and surrounding materials all influence how a shade appears.

North-facing rooms typically receive less direct sunlight, which can make cooler colors appear even colder. Warmer, deeper shades may help those spaces feel cozier, especially when paired with appropriate artificial lighting.

South-facing rooms receive more direct sunlight, which can change how paint colors appear throughout the day.

For homeowners who want to try the 2027 trends without repainting their entire home, Praesel offers a simple starting point.

“You don’t have to repaint an entire home to try a trend,” said Praesel.

A newly painted front door, refreshed kitchen island, or single bedroom wall may be enough to bring a little more warmth and personality into a home.