Move Over Beige: Farrow & Ball Says Purple Is About to Take Over Home Design

Purple is having a moment in fashion, and according to Farrow & Ball, the unexpected hue could be ready to make an even bigger impact inside the home.

The British paint brand anticipates purple emerging as a major home design trend in 2027, following its appearance across designer runways and a notable increase in demand for the color. According to Farrow & Ball, purple experienced the largest U.S. market growth of any of its color groups between 2025 and 2026, with sales increasing 63.5 percent.

While purple might initially sound like an intimidating choice for walls, the shade family is considerably more versatile than its reputation suggests. Depending on the undertones and depth, purple can create anything from a soft and romantic atmosphere to a dramatic, cocooning interior.

Farrow & Ball brand ambassador Patrick O'Donnell points to several shades within the brand's collection as examples of how homeowners can incorporate the color without making a room feel overly theatrical.

Why Purple Could Be the Next Big Home Color Trend

Purple has traditionally been associated with richness, luxury, and drama. Deep purples can certainly deliver that effect, but the broader color family includes much softer shades that can work surprisingly well as neutrals.

The renewed interest in purple also comes as homeowners continue moving away from strictly safe color palettes. Recent interior design trends have embraced warmer, richer hues and more expressive decorating choices, making purple a natural candidate for the next wave of colorful interiors.

Rather than treating purple as a single, highly saturated color, designers can use different versions depending on the room, lighting, furnishings, and desired mood.

Peignoir Offers a Softer Take on Purple

For homeowners who are hesitant to embrace a dramatic purple wall, Farrow & Ball's Peignoir offers a much gentler starting point.

The shade is described by the brand as a grayish pink with an almost ethereal silver-lilac quality. O'Donnell recommends it for creating a romantic yet modern atmosphere, particularly when paired with crisp white.

Its softness makes Peignoir particularly adaptable.

The shade can work in bedrooms and bathrooms, where its delicate character complements textiles and softer furnishings. However, it does not have to remain confined to traditionally feminine spaces. Farrow & Ball also suggests using the color in living rooms and kitchens to introduce warmth and softness.

Because it contains muted undertones rather than reading as a bright purple, it can also be easier to incorporate alongside existing neutrals.

Brassica Brings Purple Into the Living Room

For a stronger interpretation of the trend, O'Donnell recommends Brassica, a smoky purple with considerably more depth.

The shade can make an especially effective choice for a generously lit living room. Farrow & Ball suggests pairing it with tobacco-colored mohair velvet, creating a combination that feels layered and sophisticated rather than overly colorful.

Brassica also demonstrates why lighting should be considered before committing to a purple paint color.

A shade with significant depth can look different throughout the day depending on how much natural light enters the room. Testing samples on multiple walls and observing them in both daylight and artificial light can help homeowners determine whether the color feels too cool, too dark, or just right.

Purple does not necessarily need to cover every wall, either. Brassica could be used on a feature wall, inside built-ins, on cabinetry, or in a smaller room where a more dramatic color can make a deliberate statement.

Pelt Is Made for Moody Spaces

At the darkest end of Farrow & Ball's purple family is Pelt, which O'Donnell describes as particularly well suited to a media room.

Its deep tone can create a cocooning effect in spaces where darkness is already part of the design. O'Donnell specifically recommends the brand's Dead Flat finish, which can give the surface a soft, almost nubuck-like appearance.

Pelt can also be combined with Brassica to create a layered purple palette rather than relying on one shade throughout a room.

This tonal approach can make a bold color feel considerably more sophisticated. Instead of contrasting purple with a completely unrelated accent color, homeowners can work with different depths of the same family.

Purple Can Work Beyond the Walls

One of the easiest ways to experiment with a trend is to avoid painting an entire room.

Purple can be introduced through upholstered furniture, curtains, rugs, artwork, lampshades, ceramics, or smaller decorative pieces. These applications allow homeowners to test how the color works alongside existing finishes before committing to a larger project.

Farrow & Ball's recommendations also extend outside the home.

For exterior applications, O'Donnell suggests using purple specifically on the front door in a full-gloss finish, paired with aged-brass door hardware. The combination creates a dramatic entrance without covering the entire exterior in the color.

Purple Is Moving Beyond Its Old-Fashioned Reputation

Purple may not become the new universal neutral, but Farrow & Ball's forecast reflects a broader shift toward more expressive home interiors.

The color's versatility is precisely what makes it interesting. Peignoir demonstrates how subtle purple can be, Brassica shows how sophisticated a smoky version can look, and Pelt proves that the hue can create a deeply dramatic atmosphere.

For homeowners who have spent years surrounded by beige, gray, and white, purple offers a way to introduce personality without necessarily abandoning an elegant aesthetic.

The smartest approach may be to start small, pay attention to undertones and natural light, and choose a version of purple that complements the architecture and furnishings already in the room.

Purple Could Be the Color to Watch in 2027

Farrow & Ball's prediction gives purple a strong case for becoming one of the defining home color trends of 2027. Its reported growth in the U.S. market, combined with the growing appetite for richer and more individualistic interiors, suggests the color may be ready for a much bigger role in home design.

The trend also does not require homeowners to go all-in. A pale silver-lilac bedroom, smoky purple living room, dramatic media room, or glossy purple front door can each interpret the trend in a very different way.

In other words, purple's comeback is less about making homes look purple and more about giving homeowners another sophisticated color family to work with.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is purple going to be a home design trend in 2027?

Farrow & Ball anticipates purple becoming a major home design trend in 2027, following increased sales of the color family and its visibility in fashion and design.

2. What Farrow & Ball purple is best for a living room?

Farrow & Ball brand ambassador Patrick O'Donnell recommends Brassica, a smoky mid-tone purple, for a generously lit living room.

3. What is the softest Farrow & Ball purple?

Peignoir is one of the softer options in the purple family. Its grayish pink and silver-lilac qualities make it a more understated choice for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens.

4. How can homeowners use purple without painting an entire room?

Purple can be introduced through furniture, textiles, artwork, accessories, cabinetry, a single accent wall, or an exterior front door. Starting with smaller applications is an easy way to test the color before making a larger commitment.