Glidden’s 2027 Color of the Year Signals a Major Design Comeback

Paint companies’ Color of the Year (COTY) franchises tend to be all about what’s new and what’s next. But what if what’s old is new again? 

That’s the direction Glidden Paints is going for 2027 with its COTY selection of Artifact (PPG10-16), a warm, smoky blue that’s geared towards refreshing — and not totally renovating — a space. Calming and familiar, Artifact was selected because it’s a livable shade that’s neutral enough to work with the fabric of most homes and construction in some way, letting homeowners’ and renters’ personal styles shine through.

According to Ashley McCollum, Glidden’s paint color marketing manager, the appeal of Artifact lies in its versatility and usability; it’s a mid-tone blue that’s a bit of a color chameleon, meaning it works with a lot of different aesthetics and home settings. It’s a brilliant choice because it can change the look and feel of a room without dictating an entirely new design style or the need for a total overhaul of furnishings.

“Not every home update needs to be dramatic to feel different,” said McCollum in a press release about this year’s shade selection. “Artifact is that perfect ‘hit reset’ color. Not a reinvention — just a fresh realignment. It’s confidence without the drama and calm without the snooze. It’s the color of reset, but without erasing your personality. It’s fresh, optimistic, and lets people design a space that reflects who they actually are, and not who they’re expected to be.”

Artifact’s selection as Glidden’s COTY comes right on the heels of Valspar’s own announcement of Cottage Door for 2027, which is described as a shade that’s like the perfect mid-wash denim jeans. Make no mistake — these are two different colors. But the fact that two blue hues were chosen for 2027 leads me to believe this color family is poised to make its triumphant return into the home, having lost some ground to grays and greens over the past few years (although, let’s be real, blue has never fully disappeared). 

What I love about Artifact, though, is that it’s a much warmer blue than what dominated color trends a decade ago. As McCollum says, Artifact introduces “clarity without coldness and freshness without flash.” It reads as a neutral backdrop when used as a wall color — albeit punchier than tan, white, or even olive. And yet, when used as an accent, it can be equally as dramatic as a hit of red or orange (but never garish). 

Glidden worked with a bunch of content creators to showcase just how versatile this shade is, and you can see some of that imagery here. Consider drenching your bedroom walls and ceiling in it for a dreamy, calming oasis vibe, or use it on bathroom wainscoting to coordinate with punchy wallpaper. 

My favorite application I’ve seen thus far, though, is this library with walls (and shelves!) coated in Artifact; it really complements a rainbow of book spines without overwhelming the space. That makes me think it’d do the same in a living room with artwork or photos hung on the walls — or even in a kitchen with impressive millwork you don’t want to eclipse. This shade can shine outdoors, too. It’s a pretty option for siding or lovely as an accent on shutters and doors. 

Artifact comes in a variety of paint formulas and sheens. It’s available at The Home Depot, Walmart, some independent retailers, and Amazon — you’ll be able to get your hands on this color today. I can’t wait to see what DIYers do with this classic-meets-modern shade that just might signal blue’s big return to homes everywhere.