Dunn-Edwards Announces French Press Coffee as the 2027 Color of The Year

Featuring a whisper of warm purple, this deep, nuanced brown is the perfect elevated neutral, bringing lived-in luxury and restrained sophistication to any space.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Dunn-Edwards Corporation announced its 2027 Color of the Year, French Press Coffee (DEBN07), a deep, nuanced brown softened by a subtle plum undertone that embodies the rich character of roasted coffee and the enduring appeal of lived in luxury.

More than a trend color, French Press Coffee is an elevated neutral — one with enough dimension to anchor a space while maintaining a softness that feels livable and refined. It invites a moment of pause, evoking the ritual of a fresh cup of coffee and the focused, grounded energy that follows. Dark and atmospheric, yet restrained and sophisticated, this hue represents a clear shift in design toward depth, personality, and nuanced warmth for both contemporary and traditional styles.

Dunn-Edwards color experts identified a decisive shift away from the cool grays, stark whites, and flat beiges that have dominated recent years, in favor of warm, earthy hues.. French Press Coffee is the convergence of that movement — a warm, complex brown that feels both timeless and unexpected. More tailored than stark black and more refined than charcoal gray, it belongs to a new category of moody neutrals that upscale interiors have been gravitating toward.

"French Press Coffee is the kind of color that reveals itself gradually," said Lauren Hoferkamp, Color Marketing Manager at Dunn-Edwards. "As light shifts throughout the day, its subtle plum undertone emerges, adding complexity you don't always see in a neutral. It's grounding and restrained yet full of character. With its moody, rich hue, this color works beautifully across a wide range of spaces and applications."

French Press Coffee excels as a mood-setting backdrop, creating an enveloping atmosphere on walls that feels cozy and layered. In smaller, more intimate spaces such as a powder room, a study, or an entryway, color-drenching in French Press Coffee brings out the full complexity of its undertone and leans fully into lived-in luxury. In larger, light-filled rooms, it reads beautifully on fireplace surrounds, interior doors, and detailed trim, providing visual weight without overwhelming the space. On cabinetry, it introduces richness that feels elevated without demanding attention.

On exteriors, French Press Coffee brings a classic architectural quality to front doors, while functioning as an elevated alternative to black on shutters, garages, and trim paired with taupe, mushroom, or cream for contrast that never feels harsh.

French Press Coffee pairs well with earthy greens, clay tones, and soft creams, which complement the subtle plum undertone, while walnut, aged brass, honed marble, and linen textiles stand out beautifully against its dark, smoky presence.

For design professionals, French Press Coffee offers strong commercial adaptability across hospitality, multifamily, workplace, and retail. It brings personality and dimension to spaces without feeling flat or industrial, and can serve as a foundational background tone in projects where durability and longevity matter as much as aesthetic appeal.

As Dunn-Edwards enters its second century, French Press Coffee reflects the brand's commitment to timeless design, trusted expertise, and enduring color leadership. Classic without being stagnant, it anchors the full 2027 Color Trends collection, serving as a sophisticated neutral that allows the surrounding palette to breathe while carrying its own distinct story.

For more about the 2027 Color of the Year selection, including design and application inspiration, an immersive video, and more, visit Dunn-Edwards online.

About Dunn-Edwards Corporation
Dunn-Edwards – Apply a Higher Standard. Dunn-Edwards is one of the nation's leading manufacturers and distributors of premium architectural, industrial, and high-performance paints, coatings, and paint supplies. It operates over 170 company stores in California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, and over 100 domestic and over 350 international dealer locations in 14 countries. Dunn-Edwards is dedicated to preserving and protecting the environment and produces its coatings in a LEED^® Gold-certified manufacturing plant. Based in Southern California, the 100-year-old company has approximately 1,800 employees. Dunn-Edwards is a wholly owned subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Nippon Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. (TYO 4612), one of the world's largest paint companies. For more information, visit www.dunnedwards.com.

Media Contact:
Sonia Rodrigues -[email protected]/ 301.452.7852
Rodrigues PR

SOURCE Dunn-Edwards Corporation