Behr's 2027 Color Of The Year Is A Versatile & Moody Neutral Inspired By Nature

Behr has selected Grounded as their 2027 Color of the Year. Described as a "mossy olive with earthy undertones," Grounded is a slightly desaturated, dark, and warm green. When introducing the color, Behr's Sr. Director of Color and Design Strategy, Kayla Kratz, said, "Grounded speaks to where we see more color heading, towards more warmth, more depth, and the ability to create spaces that feel deeply personal."

Kratz spoke with House Digest exclusively, noting that choosing Grounded was a balancing act to find the right shade of green. Typically, Behr chooses an existing color from their catalog as a standout hue for the year to come. However, for 2027, Kratz said it felt more natural to create a new color, and just in time for the tenth anniversary of the brand's Color of the Year selection. "We're breaking the rules," said Kratz. She went on to point out that Grounded is actually inspired, in part, by Behr's 2026 Color Of The Year, Hidden Gem, stating that Grounded is a natural progression, like a continuation of what 2026's color of the year was meant to be — a versatile "living neutral," useful both in a home's interior and exterior.

In Grounded, Behr strove to create a more interesting color option for places where one might opt for a neutral tone. During the reveal attended by House Digest, they showcased the color on exterior siding, living room walls, kitchen cabinetry, and window trim. They also feature Grounded on millwork, the ceiling, and a bathroom vanity. As a complex neutral rooted in nature, I can personally agree that it works well on a variety of surfaces.

Grounded is well-suited for relaxing spaces such as bedrooms or bathrooms. However, while touted as versatile, I don't believe it's ideal for every situation. For instance, I wouldn't use it in a child's room — it's just a bit too moody. And while subtly comforting, I'm not sure Grounded would serve to boost one's productivity if used in a home office. (It may have the opposite effect.)

Grounded also might not be an ideal choice for rooms with poor natural lighting. For example, I have a north-facing living room that used to have a dark wall color, like Grounded, but it made the room feel like a cave in the worst of ways. Grounded is a darker, moodier color with brown undertones, and could make small rooms or spaces with less natural lighting feel more closed off unless serious consideration is given to one's lighting scheme. That said, the color's versatility really shines when paired with wood tones. Situated alongside dark, medium, light, or even orange and red woods, the color pairings provide an enticing contrast. I particularly enjoyed seeing the color alongside cherry maple.

Kratz spoke of the desire for many of us to connect with nature, both indoors and out. This is reflected in Behr's 2027 palette, which includes comforting nature-inspired neutrals like Hayloft and Coastal Beige. It also features plenty of warm browns, purples, and reds, as well as splashes of additional greens and blues. I was surprised by how well reds fit within the palette alongside Grounded, but would personally struggle to pair Grounded with some of the darker blues, including Behr's Mozart.

If seeking a "living neutral," Grounded serves as a nice upgrade to the millennial sage trend; at its core, it's a safe choice, but not a particularly sterile or unwelcome one. When looking at the colors designers chose to replace the popular sage green with in the past year, we saw a shift towards warmer, darker, and earthier greens. In this way, Behr's Grounded may not be groundbreaking or experimental. In fact, Valspar's Color of the Year for 2026, Warm Eucalyptus, was a similar earthy, desaturated green. Still, Grounded could be a good choice as an alternative to neutrals or more ubiquitous earth tones. It's safe, but only insofar as it's quiet, comfortable, and welcoming.