Behr’s New 2027 Color of the Year Could Set the Tone for Paint Trends

Behr is taking a slightly different approach to the annual Color of the Year tradition. For 2027, the paint brand created a completely new shade specifically for the designation, rather than selecting a color already found in its extensive library.

The result is Grounded (T27-01), a mossy olive green with subtle brown undertones. Behr unveiled the shade on August 26, marking the 10th anniversary of its Color of the Year program.

The new color arrives as earthy, nature-inspired shades continue to influence 2027 paint trends and the broader direction of interior design. Unlike brighter botanical greens, Grounded has a muted, dimensional quality intended to feel both natural and livable.

Behr's 2027 Color of the Year Is Grounded

Grounded sits somewhere between olive and moss, with brown undertones that give it a warmer appearance. Behr describes the shade as nature-inspired, while its color team developed it to offer depth without becoming overwhelmingly dark.

According to Elle Decor, the color was developed from scratch and refined through multiple iterations to achieve a particular balance that would distinguish it from the sage greens that have become popular in recent years.

That distinction is important. Green has remained a prominent choice among interior paint colors, but Grounded represents a more earthy interpretation of the family. Its appearance can also shift with lighting, looking fresher in brighter conditions and richer and more enveloping in lower light.

Why Did Behr Create a New Paint Color?

Creating a new shade specifically for a Color of the Year is an unusual move for a major paint brand. In this case, Behr wanted a color that could capture its latest thinking about comfort, nature and how people want their homes to feel.

Kayla Kratz, Behr's head of color, told Elle Decor that the goal was not simply to follow yearly trends. Instead, the team sought a shade that could work with the furnishings and materials already found in people's homes.

That helps explain Grounded's relatively restrained character. The color can work alongside wood floors, cream textiles, brass finishes and neutral furnishings, giving homeowners several ways to introduce color without completely changing an existing room.

Grounded Reflects a Shift in Home Color Trends

The choice also fits into a wider movement toward interiors that feel connected to nature. Behr's 2027 color direction includes warm neutrals, earthy greens, clay shades, muted pinks and soft blues, creating a palette that emphasizes natural variation rather than a single decorating style.

The company says its research found that 77 percent of Americans seek a connection to nature when the outside world feels chaotic or unpredictable. That finding provides context for Grounded's emphasis on restoration and comfort.

For homeowners, the appeal may be its versatility. Grounded can serve as a dominant wall color, cabinetry shade or accent, depending on the room and surrounding finishes. Behr's own examples include living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms.

The shade can also be used outside the home. Its muted green character works naturally with landscaping, wood and stone, making it an option for homeowners who want an alternative to the increasingly familiar white or beige exterior.

How Grounded Compares With Behr's 2026 Color

Grounded also has an interesting connection to last year's selection. Behr named Hidden Gem, a smoky jade, its 2026 Color of the Year. Both shades belong to the green family, but Grounded is warmer and more earthy, with stronger olive and brown influences.

The pairing suggests that green's influence on interior design is not disappearing. Instead, the direction appears to be evolving toward colors with more warmth, depth and natural character.

Behr has even included Hidden Gem in its 2027 Color Trends Palette alongside Grounded, allowing the two colors to be used together.

What Grounded Says About 2027 Interior Design Trends

Grounded's arrival points toward a broader shift away from interiors dominated exclusively by pale neutrals. While beige, cream and off-white remain versatile choices, richer colors are increasingly being used to give rooms more personality and visual depth.

That does not necessarily mean homeowners need to embrace dramatically saturated walls. Grounded offers a middle ground: it is distinctly colorful, but its earthy undertones allow it to function almost like a neutral.

For anyone watching 2027 paint trends, that adaptability may be one of the most significant aspects of Behr's new shade. It reflects an approach to color that is less about making a room look trendy and more about creating an atmosphere that feels comfortable and connected to its surroundings.

Behr's New Color Could Shape the Next Wave of Paint Trends

With Grounded, Behr is making a clear statement about where it sees home color trends heading. The 2027 Color of the Year is not an existing shade repackaged for a new season, but a color developed specifically to meet a particular design moment.

Its mossy olive character, warm undertones and compatibility with natural materials make it suited to the growing interest in layered, nature-inspired interiors. Whether Grounded becomes a long-term favorite remains to be seen, but its introduction gives homeowners another indication of how interior paint colors are becoming increasingly expressive while still prioritizing comfort and livability.