Pittsburgh Paints Co. has named Artifact its 2027 Color of the Year for both its Pittsburgh Paints and Glidden brands. Artifact, a smoky, atmospheric blue, leverages the emotional potential of color.
The soft color purposely rejects the design drama associated with the bold color trends of recent years, offering homeowners a sense of respite and permission to breathe.
Among the themes associated with this water-inspired color are a sharper focus on home as sanctuary and carving out space, literally, to recalibrate, aligning with broader interior design trends towards digital detox and wellness at home.
Color choice is becoming more central to digital detox design.
“With so much noise in the world that we can’t control, people are becoming increasingly invested in curating their own spaces, taking control and making them feel more grounded and individual. Artifact is calming yet personal, answering this desire,” says Ruthanne Hanlon, color and design manager, new home construction and residential repaint, Pittsburgh Paints.
“Artifact invites reflection and calls us to pause, reassess and reconnect with what’s essential and gives meaning to our lives,” said Michelle Vincent, Pittsburgh Paints color and design manager.
Artifact takes a subtler approach to color. Rather than making a statement on impact, it is felt before it is seen. Its nuanced effect is open to interpretation, making its potential applications unlimited.
The paint color’s name evokes ideas of rarity and treasure. In a fast-paced, digital world, the space and time to think that Artifact aims to create can feel rare, too. It’s meant to be a breath of fresh air, with plenty of potential for personalization.
“Breathing a calming energy into a space, Artifact invites consumers to make it theirs and to tell their own story,” says Hanlon.
“This color feels rare not because it is loud, but because it is used intentionally,” says Vincent.
The paint brand is touting this color as a good choice to change the mood of a space significantly, without having to physically transform it. It will appeal to homeowners seeking a fresh take on timeless style.
“Not every home update needs to be dramatic to feel different,” says Ashley McCollum, Glidden paint color marketing manager. “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.”
Another theme associated with the color is authorship, according to the company. Self-expression has become a clear priority for homeowners, with color offering a powerful way to personalize a home. That can be particularly meaningful in new-build communities, where floor plans may repeat but color choices can make a home distinctly individual.
The color lets “people design a space that reflects who they actually are, and not who they’re expected to be,” says McCollum.
