In an era of political turmoil and at times unsettling technological development, marketers at Pittsburgh-based paint firm PPG Paints have selected the 2027 Color of the Year in large part for its calming attributes.<\/p>\n
Artifact<\/a> blue, from PPG\u2019s Glidden brand, is described by the company as a \u201cwarm, smoky\u201d and rich hue that mixes classic and modern vibes as it \u201csweeps in with a calming energy.\u201d At the same time, the company says it allows homeowners to move away from using cool grays as omnipresent neutrals.<\/p>\n Those hooked on \u201cmillennial gray\u201d<\/a> and the lazier house-flippers among us alike might do well to take note of that last part, as any dedicated touring of updated houses will quickly illustrate.<\/p>\n \u201cNot every home update needs to be dramatic to feel different,\u201d said Glidden marketing manager Ashley McCollum. \u201cArtifact is that perfect \u2018hit reset\u2019 color. Not a reinvention \u2014 just a fresh realignment. It\u2019s the color of reset, but without erasing your personality.\u201d<\/p>\n The choice continues a trend of choosing warm colors for PPG Paints, which last year selected warm mahogany<\/a> also as an alternative to popular dark grays and blacks. In 2025, it chose the inviting but modern purple basil.<\/a><\/p>\n While the idea of choosing a color of the year is \u2014 at its core \u2014 a marketing tactic to get people thinking about the colors around them, the ability of color to affect mood is a scientific idea that needs more research<\/a> but has shown indications of <\/a>viability<\/a>. According to Mental Health <\/a>America<\/a>, bright, warm colors tend to stimulate energy and happiness, while cool, subdued colors can be soothing and calming.<\/p>\n