September 30, 2026
Johnstone’s Trade announces Country Soil as 2027 Colour of the Year
Johnstone’s Trade announced today Country Soil (PPG15-30) as its 2027 Colour of the Year. A warm, saturated hue that blends beige, taupe and grey, Country Soil draws inspiration from the natural world, evoking clay-rich earth and weathered stone.
Inspired by clay-rich landscapes and weathered stone, the warm, earth-inspired neutral reflects a growing desire for calm, comfort and authenticity in the built environment.
Country Soil captures a wider movement towards grounded, restorative spaces that foster wellbeing and connection. As designers and specifiers increasingly seek to create environments that offer refuge from the pace of modern life, its warm, natural character provides a sophisticated foundation that feels both contemporary and enduring.
Since 2013, colour experts from PPG, the global coatings company behind Johnstone’s Trade, have gathered annually to analyse the societal, cultural and design influences shaping colour preferences across architecture, consumer products and industrial design. For 2027, the forecast marks a notable shift from the bright, expressive hues of 2026 toward more muted palettes, reflecting a growing desire for calm, comfort and authenticity in the built environment.
“Country Soil is designed for slowing down,” said Donna Taylor, Johnstone’s Trade Colour and Design manager, Architectural Coatings. “For 2027, we have selected a grounding colour that acts as a solid foundation for any project. Inspired by the warm, natural hues of clay, it provides a base layer with a soft, neutral tone. Creating an environment that feels settled, welcoming and restorative. Rather than treating colour as simply a decorative finish, Country Soil helps shape spaces where people can pause, recharge and reconnect with their surroundings.”
Country Soil’s depth and versatility make it suitable for a wide range of sectors, from education and healthcare to workplace, hospitality and residential environments. Whether used as an accent colour or applied throughout an entire room, including walls, woodwork and ceilings, it creates cohesive, immersive spaces that feel both refined and approachable. Its balanced, natural character enables it to work seamlessly alongside a wide range of materials, textures and complementary colour palettes.
With its low light reflectance value, Country Soil gently diffuses light rather than reflecting it, creating a soft, enveloping atmosphere that is particularly suited to spaces where comfort and tranquillity are priorities. Its timeless neutrality provides the flexibility to refresh furnishings, artwork and decorative elements over time without compromising the overall aesthetic, making it a practical and enduring design choice. The colour is equally effective for exterior applications, where its natural character allows it to sit harmoniously within the surrounding environment.
“People are increasingly looking for spaces that provide a sense of grounding and permanence,” added Donna Taylor. “Country Soil reflects that desire for thoughtful, enduring design, demonstrating how colour can help create environments that feel both reassuring and sophisticated. It is a colour that brings lasting relevance across a variety of sectors, styles and applications.”
Country Soil is available in a wide range of Johnstone’s Trade products, helping specifiers, contractors and decorators achieve the required finish and performance for projects across commercial, public sector and residential environments.
