diff --git a/docs/charts/line.md b/docs/charts/line.md
index ac141b2e117..77fc1356e3e 100644
--- a/docs/charts/line.md
+++ b/docs/charts/line.md
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ If the `steppedLine` value is set to anything other than false, `lineTension` wi
 
 ## Configuration Options
 
-The line chart defines the following configuration options. These options are merged with the global chart configuration options, `Chart.defaults.global`, to form the options passed to the chart.
+The line chart defines the following configuration options. These options are merged with the global chart configuration options, `Chart.defaults`, to form the options passed to the chart.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/charts/radar.md b/docs/charts/radar.md
index 6b33533047b..67c56065794 100644
--- a/docs/charts/radar.md
+++ b/docs/charts/radar.md
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ The interaction with each point can be controlled with the following properties:
 
 ## Configuration Options
 
-The radar chart defines the following configuration options. These options are merged with the global chart configuration options, `Chart.defaults.global`, to form the options passed to the chart.
+The radar chart defines the following configuration options. These options are merged with the global chart configuration options, `Chart.defaults`, to form the options passed to the chart.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/configuration/README.md b/docs/configuration/README.md
index 9139d5f88e1..d9152d9f4ef 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/README.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/README.md
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ The configuration is used to change how the chart behaves. There are properties
 
 This concept was introduced in Chart.js 1.0 to keep configuration [DRY](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_repeat_yourself), and allow for changing options globally across chart types, avoiding the need to specify options for each instance, or the default for a particular chart type.
 
-Chart.js merges the options object passed to the chart with the global configuration using chart type defaults and scales defaults appropriately. This way you can be as specific as you would like in your individual chart configuration, while still changing the defaults for all chart types where applicable. The global general options are defined in `Chart.defaults.global`. The defaults for each chart type are discussed in the documentation for that chart type.
+Chart.js merges the options object passed to the chart with the global configuration using chart type defaults and scales defaults appropriately. This way you can be as specific as you would like in your individual chart configuration, while still changing the defaults for all chart types where applicable. The global general options are defined in `Chart.defaults`. The defaults for each chart type are discussed in the documentation for that chart type.
 
 The following example would set the hover mode to 'nearest' for all charts where this was not overridden by the chart type defaults or the options passed to the constructor on creation.
 
 ```javascript
-Chart.defaults.global.hover.mode = 'nearest';
+Chart.defaults.hover.mode = 'nearest';
 
 // Hover mode is set to nearest because it was not overridden here
 var chartHoverModeNearest = new Chart(ctx, {
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ Options may be configured directly on the dataset. The dataset options can be ch
 
 - per dataset: dataset.*
 - per chart: options.datasets[type].*
-- or globally: Chart.defaults.global.datasets[type].*
+- or globally: Chart.defaults.datasets[type].*
 
 where type corresponds to the dataset type.
 
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ The following example would set the `showLine` option to 'false' for all line da
 
 ```javascript
 // Do not show lines for all datasets by default
-Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line.showLine = false;
+Chart.defaults.datasets.line.showLine = false;
 
 // This chart would show a line only for the third dataset
 var chart = new Chart(ctx, {
diff --git a/docs/configuration/animations.md b/docs/configuration/animations.md
index 89e40ed9cd7..d642fb3de10 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/animations.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/animations.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ Chart.js animates charts out of the box. A number of options are provided to con
 
 ## Animation Configuration
 
-The following animation options are available. The global options for are defined in `Chart.defaults.global.animation`.
+The following animation options are available. The global options for are defined in `Chart.defaults.animation`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/configuration/elements.md b/docs/configuration/elements.md
index a74e74376ad..8f0c0e7d814 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/elements.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/elements.md
@@ -4,16 +4,16 @@ While chart types provide settings to configure the styling of each dataset, you
 
 ## Global Configuration
 
-The element options can be specified per chart or globally. The global options for elements are defined in `Chart.defaults.global.elements`. For example, to set the border width of all bar charts globally you would do:
+The element options can be specified per chart or globally. The global options for elements are defined in `Chart.defaults.elements`. For example, to set the border width of all bar charts globally you would do:
 
 ```javascript
-Chart.defaults.global.elements.rectangle.borderWidth = 2;
+Chart.defaults.elements.rectangle.borderWidth = 2;
 ```
 
 ## Point Configuration
 Point elements are used to represent the points in a line, radar or bubble chart.
 
-Global point options: `Chart.defaults.global.elements.point`.
+Global point options: `Chart.defaults.elements.point`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ If the value is an image, that image is drawn on the canvas using [drawImage](ht
 ## Line Configuration
 Line elements are used to represent the line in a line chart.
 
-Global line options: `Chart.defaults.global.elements.line`.
+Global line options: `Chart.defaults.elements.line`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
@@ -59,14 +59,14 @@ Global line options: `Chart.defaults.global.elements.line`.
 | `borderDashOffset` | `number` | `0.0` | Line dash offset. See [MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/CanvasRenderingContext2D/lineDashOffset).
 | `borderJoinStyle` | `string` | `'miter'` | Line join style. See [MDN](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/CanvasRenderingContext2D/lineJoin).
 | `capBezierPoints` | `boolean` | `true` | `true` to keep Bézier control inside the chart, `false` for no restriction.
-| `cubicInterpolationMode` | `string` | `'default'` |  Interpolation mode to apply. [See more...](../charts/line.md#cubicinterpolationmode) 
+| `cubicInterpolationMode` | `string` | `'default'` |  Interpolation mode to apply. [See more...](../charts/line.md#cubicinterpolationmode)
 | `fill` | <code>boolean&#124;string</code> | `true` | How to fill the area under the line. See [area charts](../charts/area.md#filling-modes).
 | `stepped` | `boolean` | `false` | `true` to show the line as a stepped line (`tension` will be ignored).
 
 ## Rectangle Configuration
 Rectangle elements are used to represent the bars in a bar chart.
 
-Global rectangle options: `Chart.defaults.global.elements.rectangle`.
+Global rectangle options: `Chart.defaults.elements.rectangle`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ Global rectangle options: `Chart.defaults.global.elements.rectangle`.
 ## Arc Configuration
 Arcs are used in the polar area, doughnut and pie charts.
 
-Global arc options: `Chart.defaults.global.elements.arc`.
+Global arc options: `Chart.defaults.elements.arc`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/configuration/layout.md b/docs/configuration/layout.md
index 375a480702f..80c2dfed3b1 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/layout.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/layout.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Layout Configuration
 
-The layout configuration is passed into the `options.layout` namespace. The global options for the chart layout is defined in `Chart.defaults.global.layout`.
+The layout configuration is passed into the `options.layout` namespace. The global options for the chart layout is defined in `Chart.defaults.layout`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/configuration/legend.md b/docs/configuration/legend.md
index a61943275d2..35c75b2465f 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/legend.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/legend.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ The chart legend displays data about the datasets that are appearing on the char
 
 ## Configuration options
 
-The legend configuration is passed into the `options.legend` namespace. The global options for the chart legend is defined in `Chart.defaults.global.legend`.
+The legend configuration is passed into the `options.legend` namespace. The global options for the chart legend is defined in `Chart.defaults.legend`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ function(e, legendItem) {
 Lets say we wanted instead to link the display of the first two datasets. We could change the click handler accordingly.
 
 ```javascript
-var defaultLegendClickHandler = Chart.defaults.global.legend.onClick;
+var defaultLegendClickHandler = Chart.defaults.legend.onClick;
 var newLegendClickHandler = function (e, legendItem) {
     var index = legendItem.datasetIndex;
 
diff --git a/docs/configuration/title.md b/docs/configuration/title.md
index faf722ce011..f072cb6674b 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/title.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/title.md
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 The chart title defines text to draw at the top of the chart.
 
 ## Title Configuration
-The title configuration is passed into the `options.title` namespace. The global options for the chart title is defined in `Chart.defaults.global.title`.
+The title configuration is passed into the `options.title` namespace. The global options for the chart title is defined in `Chart.defaults.title`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/configuration/tooltip.md b/docs/configuration/tooltip.md
index 6e086a16716..7c662b2883c 100644
--- a/docs/configuration/tooltip.md
+++ b/docs/configuration/tooltip.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 ## Tooltip Configuration
 
-The tooltip configuration is passed into the `options.tooltips` namespace. The global options for the chart tooltips is defined in `Chart.defaults.global.tooltips`.
+The tooltip configuration is passed into the `options.tooltips` namespace. The global options for the chart tooltips is defined in `Chart.defaults.tooltips`.
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/developers/charts.md b/docs/developers/charts.md
index c96350373db..99c11f89407 100644
--- a/docs/developers/charts.md
+++ b/docs/developers/charts.md
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ Chart.defaults.derivedBubble = Chart.defaults.bubble;
 
 // Sets the default dataset config for 'derivedBubble' to be the same as the bubble dataset defaults.
 // It looks like a bug exists when the dataset defaults don't exist
-Chart.defaults.global.datasets.derivedBubble = Chart.defaults.global.datasets.bubble;
+Chart.defaults.datasets.derivedBubble = Chart.defaults.datasets.bubble;
 
 // I think the recommend using Chart.controllers.bubble.extend({ extensions here });
 var custom = Chart.controllers.bubble.extend({
diff --git a/docs/general/colors.md b/docs/general/colors.md
index 12d700d7d49..f86e4745f0b 100644
--- a/docs/general/colors.md
+++ b/docs/general/colors.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Colors
 
-When supplying colors to Chart options, you can use a number of formats. You can specify the color as a string in hexadecimal, RGB, or HSL notations. If a color is needed, but not specified, Chart.js will use the global default color. This color is stored at `Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor`. It is initially set to `'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)'`.
+When supplying colors to Chart options, you can use a number of formats. You can specify the color as a string in hexadecimal, RGB, or HSL notations. If a color is needed, but not specified, Chart.js will use the global default color. This color is stored at `Chart.defaults.color`. It is initially set to `'rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1)'`.
 
 You can also pass a [CanvasGradient](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/CanvasGradient) object. You will need to create this before passing to the chart, but using it you can achieve some interesting effects.
 
diff --git a/docs/general/fonts.md b/docs/general/fonts.md
index a476ca894a2..608e377a846 100644
--- a/docs/general/fonts.md
+++ b/docs/general/fonts.md
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # Fonts
 
-There are 4 special global settings that can change all of the fonts on the chart. These options are in `Chart.defaults.global`. The global font settings only apply when more specific options are not included in the config.
+There are 4 special global settings that can change all of the fonts on the chart. These options are in `Chart.defaults`. The global font settings only apply when more specific options are not included in the config.
 
 For example, in this chart the text will all be red except for the labels in the legend.
 
 ```javascript
-Chart.defaults.global.defaultFontColor = 'red';
+Chart.defaults.fontColor = 'red';
 let chart = new Chart(ctx, {
     type: 'line',
     data: data,
@@ -22,10 +22,10 @@ let chart = new Chart(ctx, {
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
-| `defaultFontColor` | `Color` | `'#666'` | Default font color for all text.
-| `defaultFontFamily` | `string` | `"'Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica', 'Arial', sans-serif"` | Default font family for all text.
-| `defaultFontSize` | `number` | `12` | Default font size (in px) for text. Does not apply to radialLinear scale point labels.
-| `defaultFontStyle` | `string` | `'normal'` | Default font style. Does not apply to tooltip title or footer. Does not apply to chart title.
+| `fontColor` | `Color` | `'#666'` | Default font color for all text.
+| `fontFamily` | `string` | `"'Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica', 'Arial', sans-serif"` | Default font family for all text.
+| `fontSize` | `number` | `12` | Default font size (in px) for text. Does not apply to radialLinear scale point labels.
+| `fontStyle` | `string` | `'normal'` | Default font style. Does not apply to tooltip title or footer. Does not apply to chart title.
 
 ## Missing Fonts
 
diff --git a/docs/general/interactions/README.md b/docs/general/interactions/README.md
index be5ec8e239d..3f306953953 100644
--- a/docs/general/interactions/README.md
+++ b/docs/general/interactions/README.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Interactions
 
-The hover configuration is passed into the `options.hover` namespace. The global hover configuration is at `Chart.defaults.global.hover`. To configure which events trigger chart interactions, see [events](./events.md#events).
+The hover configuration is passed into the `options.hover` namespace. The global hover configuration is at `Chart.defaults.hover`. To configure which events trigger chart interactions, see [events](./events.md#events).
 
 | Name | Type | Default | Description
 | ---- | ---- | ------- | -----------
diff --git a/docs/getting-started/v3-migration.md b/docs/getting-started/v3-migration.md
index db9d5e03ff8..cf838818339 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started/v3-migration.md
+++ b/docs/getting-started/v3-migration.md
@@ -30,6 +30,17 @@ Chart.js 3.0 introduces a number of breaking changes. Chart.js 2.0 was released
 * The `hover` property of scriptable options `context` object was renamed to `active` to align it with the datalabels plugin.
 * The `zeroLine*` options of axes were removed. Use scriptable scale options instead.
 
+## Defaults
+
+* `global` namespace was removed from `defaults`. So `Chart.defaults.global` is now `Chart.defaults`
+* `default` prefix was removed from defaults. For example `Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor` is now `Chart.defaults.color`
+  * `defaultColor` was renamed to `color`
+  * `defaultFontColor` was renamed to `fontColor`
+  * `defaultFontFamily` was renamed to `fontFamily`
+  * `defaultFontSize` was renamed to `fontSize`
+  * `defaultFontStyle` was renamed to `fontStyle`
+  * `defaultLineHeight` was renamed to `lineHeight`
+
 ### Options
 
 * `scales.[x/y]Axes` arrays were removed. Scales are now configured directly to `options.scales` object with the object key being the scale Id.
diff --git a/samples/animations/loop.html b/samples/animations/loop.html
index 15d743a85d3..3090aa05e19 100644
--- a/samples/animations/loop.html
+++ b/samples/animations/loop.html
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
 							}
 						};
 					}
-					return Chart.defaults.global.animation;
+					return Chart.defaults.animation;
 				},
 				elements: {
 					point: {
diff --git a/samples/tooltips/custom-line.html b/samples/tooltips/custom-line.html
index 0c01179f711..c76226a2332 100644
--- a/samples/tooltips/custom-line.html
+++ b/samples/tooltips/custom-line.html
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 		<canvas id="chart"></canvas>
 	</div>
 	<script>
-		Chart.defaults.global.pointHitDetectionRadius = 1;
+		Chart.defaults.pointHitDetectionRadius = 1;
 
 		var customTooltips = function(tooltip) {
 			// Tooltip Element
diff --git a/samples/tooltips/custom-pie.html b/samples/tooltips/custom-pie.html
index 0280ab9405f..cb0c76d0b55 100644
--- a/samples/tooltips/custom-pie.html
+++ b/samples/tooltips/custom-pie.html
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 	</div>
 
 	<script>
-		Chart.defaults.global.tooltips.custom = function(tooltip) {
+		Chart.default.tooltips.custom = function(tooltip) {
 			// Tooltip Element
 			var tooltipEl = document.getElementById('chartjs-tooltip');
 
diff --git a/src/controllers/controller.bar.js b/src/controllers/controller.bar.js
index 3136d6eb0de..760c80e40d7 100644
--- a/src/controllers/controller.bar.js
+++ b/src/controllers/controller.bar.js
@@ -26,16 +26,14 @@ defaults._set('bar', {
 	}
 });
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	datasets: {
-		bar: {
-			categoryPercentage: 0.8,
-			barPercentage: 0.9,
-			animation: {
-				numbers: {
-					type: 'number',
-					properties: ['x', 'y', 'base', 'width', 'height']
-				}
+defaults._set('datasets', {
+	bar: {
+		categoryPercentage: 0.8,
+		barPercentage: 0.9,
+		animation: {
+			numbers: {
+				type: 'number',
+				properties: ['x', 'y', 'base', 'width', 'height']
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/src/controllers/controller.horizontalBar.js b/src/controllers/controller.horizontalBar.js
index 7468c092292..ae406197c90 100644
--- a/src/controllers/controller.horizontalBar.js
+++ b/src/controllers/controller.horizontalBar.js
@@ -36,12 +36,10 @@ defaults._set('horizontalBar', {
 	}
 });
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	datasets: {
-		horizontalBar: {
-			categoryPercentage: 0.8,
-			barPercentage: 0.9
-		}
+defaults._set('datasets', {
+	horizontalBar: {
+		categoryPercentage: 0.8,
+		barPercentage: 0.9
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/controllers/controller.scatter.js b/src/controllers/controller.scatter.js
index 3ec0af4d816..1e16cc33e2a 100644
--- a/src/controllers/controller.scatter.js
+++ b/src/controllers/controller.scatter.js
@@ -27,11 +27,9 @@ defaults._set('scatter', {
 	}
 });
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	datasets: {
-		scatter: {
-			showLine: false
-		}
+defaults._set('datasets', {
+	scatter: {
+		showLine: false
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/core/core.animations.js b/src/core/core.animations.js
index 14bf7b840d7..220cbc303ac 100644
--- a/src/core/core.animations.js
+++ b/src/core/core.animations.js
@@ -5,27 +5,25 @@ import Animation from './core.animation';
 import defaults from '../core/core.defaults';
 import {noop, extend, isObject} from '../helpers/helpers.core';
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	animation: {
-		duration: 1000,
-		easing: 'easeOutQuart',
-		active: {
-			duration: 400
-		},
-		resize: {
-			duration: 0
-		},
-		numbers: {
-			type: 'number',
-			properties: ['x', 'y', 'borderWidth', 'radius', 'tension']
-		},
-		colors: {
-			type: 'color',
-			properties: ['borderColor', 'backgroundColor']
-		},
-		onProgress: noop,
-		onComplete: noop
-	}
+defaults._set('animation', {
+	duration: 1000,
+	easing: 'easeOutQuart',
+	active: {
+		duration: 400
+	},
+	resize: {
+		duration: 0
+	},
+	numbers: {
+		type: 'number',
+		properties: ['x', 'y', 'borderWidth', 'radius', 'tension']
+	},
+	colors: {
+		type: 'color',
+		properties: ['borderColor', 'backgroundColor']
+	},
+	onProgress: noop,
+	onComplete: noop
 });
 
 function copyOptions(target, values) {
diff --git a/src/core/core.controller.js b/src/core/core.controller.js
index ecc8af2c25e..5cb90919751 100644
--- a/src/core/core.controller.js
+++ b/src/core/core.controller.js
@@ -13,25 +13,6 @@ import Tooltip from './core.tooltip';
 
 const valueOrDefault = helpers.valueOrDefault;
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	elements: {},
-	events: [
-		'mousemove',
-		'mouseout',
-		'click',
-		'touchstart',
-		'touchmove'
-	],
-	hover: {
-		onHover: null,
-		mode: 'nearest',
-		intersect: true
-	},
-	onClick: null,
-	maintainAspectRatio: true,
-	responsive: true
-});
-
 function mergeScaleConfig(config, options) {
 	options = options || {};
 	const chartDefaults = defaults[config.type] || {scales: {}};
@@ -103,7 +84,7 @@ function initConfig(config) {
 	const scaleConfig = mergeScaleConfig(config, config.options);
 
 	config.options = mergeConfig(
-		defaults.global,
+		defaults,
 		defaults[config.type],
 		config.options || {});
 
@@ -126,7 +107,7 @@ function updateConfig(chart) {
 	const scaleConfig = mergeScaleConfig(chart.config, newOptions);
 
 	newOptions = mergeConfig(
-		defaults.global,
+		defaults,
 		defaults[chart.config.type],
 		newOptions);
 
diff --git a/src/core/core.defaults.js b/src/core/core.defaults.js
index 6c8e996a1a8..247b7159215 100644
--- a/src/core/core.defaults.js
+++ b/src/core/core.defaults.js
@@ -1,26 +1,36 @@
 'use strict';
 
-var helpers = require('../helpers/helpers.core');
+import {merge} from '../helpers/helpers.core';
+
+export default {
+	color: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
+	elements: {},
+	events: [
+		'mousemove',
+		'mouseout',
+		'click',
+		'touchstart',
+		'touchmove'
+	],
+	fontColor: '#666',
+	fontFamily: "'Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica', 'Arial', sans-serif",
+	fontSize: 12,
+	fontStyle: 'normal',
+	lineHeight: 1.2,
+	hover: {
+		onHover: null,
+		mode: 'nearest',
+		intersect: true
+	},
+	maintainAspectRatio: true,
+	onClick: null,
+	responsive: true,
+	showLines: true,
 
-var defaults = {
 	/**
 	 * @private
 	 */
 	_set: function(scope, values) {
-		return helpers.merge(this[scope] || (this[scope] = {}), values);
+		return merge(this[scope] || (this[scope] = {}), values);
 	}
 };
-
-// TODO(v3): remove 'global' from namespace.  all default are global and
-// there's inconsistency around which options are under 'global'
-defaults._set('global', {
-	defaultColor: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
-	defaultFontColor: '#666',
-	defaultFontFamily: "'Helvetica Neue', 'Helvetica', 'Arial', sans-serif",
-	defaultFontSize: 12,
-	defaultFontStyle: 'normal',
-	defaultLineHeight: 1.2,
-	showLines: true
-});
-
-module.exports = defaults;
diff --git a/src/core/core.layouts.js b/src/core/core.layouts.js
index da0a79950eb..d5ef6e46ece 100644
--- a/src/core/core.layouts.js
+++ b/src/core/core.layouts.js
@@ -198,14 +198,12 @@ function placeBoxes(boxes, chartArea, params) {
 	chartArea.y = y;
 }
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	layout: {
-		padding: {
-			top: 0,
-			right: 0,
-			bottom: 0,
-			left: 0
-		}
+defaults._set('layout', {
+	padding: {
+		top: 0,
+		right: 0,
+		bottom: 0,
+		left: 0
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/core/core.plugins.js b/src/core/core.plugins.js
index 1d68c20bda1..fe30bce8da0 100644
--- a/src/core/core.plugins.js
+++ b/src/core/core.plugins.js
@@ -3,9 +3,7 @@
 var defaults = require('./core.defaults');
 var helpers = require('../helpers/index');
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	plugins: {}
-});
+defaults._set('plugins', {});
 
 /**
  * The plugin service singleton
@@ -144,7 +142,7 @@ module.exports = {
 			}
 
 			if (opts === true) {
-				opts = helpers.clone(defaults.global.plugins[id]);
+				opts = helpers.clone(defaults.plugins[id]);
 			}
 
 			plugins.push(plugin);
diff --git a/src/core/core.scale.js b/src/core/core.scale.js
index 60d3625d825..0c8cbb64633 100644
--- a/src/core/core.scale.js
+++ b/src/core/core.scale.js
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ function parseFontOptions(options, nestedOpts) {
 		fontStyle: valueOrDefault(nestedOpts.fontStyle, options.fontStyle),
 		lineHeight: valueOrDefault(nestedOpts.lineHeight, options.lineHeight)
 	}), {
-		color: resolve([nestedOpts.fontColor, options.fontColor, defaults.global.defaultFontColor])
+		color: resolve([nestedOpts.fontColor, options.fontColor, defaults.fontColor])
 	});
 }
 
@@ -1307,7 +1307,7 @@ class Scale extends Element {
 			return;
 		}
 
-		var scaleLabelFontColor = valueOrDefault(scaleLabel.fontColor, defaults.global.defaultFontColor);
+		var scaleLabelFontColor = valueOrDefault(scaleLabel.fontColor, defaults.fontColor);
 		var scaleLabelFont = helpers.options._parseFont(scaleLabel);
 		var scaleLabelPadding = helpers.options.toPadding(scaleLabel.padding);
 		var halfLineHeight = scaleLabelFont.lineHeight / 2;
diff --git a/src/core/core.tooltip.js b/src/core/core.tooltip.js
index eac403f9029..3951ade6b0c 100644
--- a/src/core/core.tooltip.js
+++ b/src/core/core.tooltip.js
@@ -8,106 +8,104 @@ const Animations = require('./core.animations');
 const valueOrDefault = helpers.valueOrDefault;
 const getRtlHelper = helpers.rtl.getRtlAdapter;
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	tooltips: {
-		enabled: true,
-		custom: null,
-		mode: 'nearest',
-		position: 'average',
-		intersect: true,
-		backgroundColor: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.8)',
-		titleFontStyle: 'bold',
-		titleSpacing: 2,
-		titleMarginBottom: 6,
-		titleFontColor: '#fff',
-		titleAlign: 'left',
-		bodySpacing: 2,
-		bodyFontColor: '#fff',
-		bodyAlign: 'left',
-		footerFontStyle: 'bold',
-		footerSpacing: 2,
-		footerMarginTop: 6,
-		footerFontColor: '#fff',
-		footerAlign: 'left',
-		yPadding: 6,
-		xPadding: 6,
-		caretPadding: 2,
-		caretSize: 5,
-		cornerRadius: 6,
-		multiKeyBackground: '#fff',
-		displayColors: true,
-		borderColor: 'rgba(0,0,0,0)',
-		borderWidth: 0,
-		animation: {
-			duration: 400,
-			easing: 'easeOutQuart',
-			numbers: {
-				type: 'number',
-				properties: ['x', 'y', 'width', 'height'],
-			},
-			opacity: {
-				easing: 'linear',
-				duration: 200
-			}
+defaults._set('tooltips', {
+	enabled: true,
+	custom: null,
+	mode: 'nearest',
+	position: 'average',
+	intersect: true,
+	backgroundColor: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.8)',
+	titleFontStyle: 'bold',
+	titleSpacing: 2,
+	titleMarginBottom: 6,
+	titleFontColor: '#fff',
+	titleAlign: 'left',
+	bodySpacing: 2,
+	bodyFontColor: '#fff',
+	bodyAlign: 'left',
+	footerFontStyle: 'bold',
+	footerSpacing: 2,
+	footerMarginTop: 6,
+	footerFontColor: '#fff',
+	footerAlign: 'left',
+	yPadding: 6,
+	xPadding: 6,
+	caretPadding: 2,
+	caretSize: 5,
+	cornerRadius: 6,
+	multiKeyBackground: '#fff',
+	displayColors: true,
+	borderColor: 'rgba(0,0,0,0)',
+	borderWidth: 0,
+	animation: {
+		duration: 400,
+		easing: 'easeOutQuart',
+		numbers: {
+			type: 'number',
+			properties: ['x', 'y', 'width', 'height'],
 		},
-		callbacks: {
-			// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
-			beforeTitle: helpers.noop,
-			title: function(tooltipItems, data) {
-				var title = '';
-				var labels = data.labels;
-				var labelCount = labels ? labels.length : 0;
-
-				if (tooltipItems.length > 0) {
-					var item = tooltipItems[0];
-					if (item.label) {
-						title = item.label;
-					} else if (labelCount > 0 && item.index < labelCount) {
-						title = labels[item.index];
-					}
+		opacity: {
+			easing: 'linear',
+			duration: 200
+		}
+	},
+	callbacks: {
+		// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
+		beforeTitle: helpers.noop,
+		title: function(tooltipItems, data) {
+			var title = '';
+			var labels = data.labels;
+			var labelCount = labels ? labels.length : 0;
+
+			if (tooltipItems.length > 0) {
+				var item = tooltipItems[0];
+				if (item.label) {
+					title = item.label;
+				} else if (labelCount > 0 && item.index < labelCount) {
+					title = labels[item.index];
 				}
+			}
 
-				return title;
-			},
-			afterTitle: helpers.noop,
+			return title;
+		},
+		afterTitle: helpers.noop,
 
-			// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
-			beforeBody: helpers.noop,
+		// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
+		beforeBody: helpers.noop,
 
-			// Args are: (tooltipItem, data)
-			beforeLabel: helpers.noop,
-			label: function(tooltipItem, data) {
-				var label = data.datasets[tooltipItem.datasetIndex].label || '';
+		// Args are: (tooltipItem, data)
+		beforeLabel: helpers.noop,
+		label: function(tooltipItem, data) {
+			var label = data.datasets[tooltipItem.datasetIndex].label || '';
 
-				if (label) {
-					label += ': ';
-				}
-				if (!helpers.isNullOrUndef(tooltipItem.value)) {
-					label += tooltipItem.value;
-				}
-				return label;
-			},
-			labelColor: function(tooltipItem, chart) {
-				var meta = chart.getDatasetMeta(tooltipItem.datasetIndex);
-				var options = meta.controller.getStyle(tooltipItem.index);
-				return {
-					borderColor: options.borderColor,
-					backgroundColor: options.backgroundColor
-				};
-			},
-			labelTextColor: function() {
-				return this.options.bodyFontColor;
-			},
-			afterLabel: helpers.noop,
+			if (label) {
+				label += ': ';
+			}
+			if (!helpers.isNullOrUndef(tooltipItem.value)) {
+				label += tooltipItem.value;
+			}
+			return label;
+		},
+		labelColor: function(tooltipItem, chart) {
+			var meta = chart.getDatasetMeta(tooltipItem.datasetIndex);
+			var options = meta.controller.getStyle(tooltipItem.index);
+			return {
+				borderColor: options.borderColor,
+				backgroundColor: options.backgroundColor
+			};
+		},
+		labelTextColor: function() {
+			return this.options.bodyFontColor;
+		},
+		afterLabel: helpers.noop,
 
-			// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
-			afterBody: helpers.noop,
+		// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
+		afterBody: helpers.noop,
 
-			// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
-			beforeFooter: helpers.noop,
-			footer: helpers.noop,
-			afterFooter: helpers.noop
-		}
+		// Args are: (tooltipItems, data)
+		beforeFooter: helpers.noop,
+		footer: helpers.noop,
+		afterFooter: helpers.noop
 	}
 });
 
@@ -233,21 +231,20 @@ function createTooltipItem(chart, item) {
  * @param options {object} the tooltip options
  */
 function resolveOptions(options) {
-	var globalDefaults = defaults.global;
 
-	options = helpers.extend({}, globalDefaults.tooltips, options);
+	options = helpers.extend({}, defaults.tooltips, options);
 
-	options.bodyFontFamily = valueOrDefault(options.bodyFontFamily, globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily);
-	options.bodyFontStyle = valueOrDefault(options.bodyFontStyle, globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle);
-	options.bodyFontSize = valueOrDefault(options.bodyFontSize, globalDefaults.defaultFontSize);
+	options.bodyFontFamily = valueOrDefault(options.bodyFontFamily, defaults.fontFamily);
+	options.bodyFontStyle = valueOrDefault(options.bodyFontStyle, defaults.fontStyle);
+	options.bodyFontSize = valueOrDefault(options.bodyFontSize, defaults.fontSize);
 
-	options.titleFontFamily = valueOrDefault(options.titleFontFamily, globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily);
-	options.titleFontStyle = valueOrDefault(options.titleFontStyle, globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle);
-	options.titleFontSize = valueOrDefault(options.titleFontSize, globalDefaults.defaultFontSize);
+	options.titleFontFamily = valueOrDefault(options.titleFontFamily, defaults.fontFamily);
+	options.titleFontStyle = valueOrDefault(options.titleFontStyle, defaults.fontStyle);
+	options.titleFontSize = valueOrDefault(options.titleFontSize, defaults.fontSize);
 
-	options.footerFontFamily = valueOrDefault(options.footerFontFamily, globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily);
-	options.footerFontStyle = valueOrDefault(options.footerFontStyle, globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle);
-	options.footerFontSize = valueOrDefault(options.footerFontSize, globalDefaults.defaultFontSize);
+	options.footerFontFamily = valueOrDefault(options.footerFontFamily, defaults.fontFamily);
+	options.footerFontStyle = valueOrDefault(options.footerFontStyle, defaults.fontStyle);
+	options.footerFontSize = valueOrDefault(options.footerFontSize, defaults.fontSize);
 
 	return options;
 }
diff --git a/src/elements/element.arc.js b/src/elements/element.arc.js
index 6d1ec447fcf..8b154a376f0 100644
--- a/src/elements/element.arc.js
+++ b/src/elements/element.arc.js
@@ -5,14 +5,12 @@ import Element from '../core/core.element';
 import {getAngleFromPoint} from '../helpers/helpers.math';
 const TAU = Math.PI * 2;
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	elements: {
-		arc: {
-			backgroundColor: defaults.global.defaultColor,
-			borderColor: '#fff',
-			borderWidth: 2,
-			borderAlign: 'center'
-		}
+defaults._set('elements', {
+	arc: {
+		backgroundColor: defaults.color,
+		borderColor: '#fff',
+		borderWidth: 2,
+		borderAlign: 'center'
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/elements/element.line.js b/src/elements/element.line.js
index 18b730ee3e8..d92c29cb4e5 100644
--- a/src/elements/element.line.js
+++ b/src/elements/element.line.js
@@ -7,22 +7,20 @@ import {_computeSegments, _boundSegments} from '../helpers/helpers.segment';
 import {_steppedLineTo, _bezierCurveTo} from '../helpers/helpers.canvas';
 import {_updateBezierControlPoints} from '../helpers/helpers.curve';
 
-const defaultColor = defaults.global.defaultColor;
-
-defaults._set('global', {
-	elements: {
-		line: {
-			tension: 0.4,
-			backgroundColor: defaultColor,
-			borderWidth: 3,
-			borderColor: defaultColor,
-			borderCapStyle: 'butt',
-			borderDash: [],
-			borderDashOffset: 0.0,
-			borderJoinStyle: 'miter',
-			capBezierPoints: true,
-			fill: true
-		}
+const defaultColor = defaults.color;
+
+defaults._set('elements', {
+	line: {
+		tension: 0.4,
+		backgroundColor: defaultColor,
+		borderWidth: 3,
+		borderColor: defaultColor,
+		borderCapStyle: 'butt',
+		borderDash: [],
+		borderDashOffset: 0.0,
+		borderJoinStyle: 'miter',
+		capBezierPoints: true,
+		fill: true
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/elements/element.point.js b/src/elements/element.point.js
index be92d51fbd1..1a3a737a72f 100644
--- a/src/elements/element.point.js
+++ b/src/elements/element.point.js
@@ -4,21 +4,19 @@ import defaults from '../core/core.defaults';
 import Element from '../core/core.element';
 import helpers from '../helpers';
 
-const defaultColor = defaults.global.defaultColor;
-
-defaults._set('global', {
-	elements: {
-		point: {
-			radius: 3,
-			pointStyle: 'circle',
-			backgroundColor: defaultColor,
-			borderColor: defaultColor,
-			borderWidth: 1,
-			// Hover
-			hitRadius: 1,
-			hoverRadius: 4,
-			hoverBorderWidth: 1
-		}
+const defaultColor = defaults.color;
+
+defaults._set('elements', {
+	point: {
+		radius: 3,
+		pointStyle: 'circle',
+		backgroundColor: defaultColor,
+		borderColor: defaultColor,
+		borderWidth: 1,
+		// Hover
+		hitRadius: 1,
+		hoverRadius: 4,
+		hoverBorderWidth: 1
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/elements/element.rectangle.js b/src/elements/element.rectangle.js
index 29cf411d252..8ebfc33808d 100644
--- a/src/elements/element.rectangle.js
+++ b/src/elements/element.rectangle.js
@@ -4,16 +4,14 @@ import defaults from '../core/core.defaults';
 import Element from '../core/core.element';
 import helpers from '../helpers';
 
-const defaultColor = defaults.global.defaultColor;
-
-defaults._set('global', {
-	elements: {
-		rectangle: {
-			backgroundColor: defaultColor,
-			borderColor: defaultColor,
-			borderSkipped: 'bottom',
-			borderWidth: 0
-		}
+const defaultColor = defaults.color;
+
+defaults._set('elements', {
+	rectangle: {
+		backgroundColor: defaultColor,
+		borderColor: defaultColor,
+		borderSkipped: 'bottom',
+		borderWidth: 0
 	}
 });
 
diff --git a/src/helpers/helpers.options.js b/src/helpers/helpers.options.js
index 375c361b2c6..15e20f16103 100644
--- a/src/helpers/helpers.options.js
+++ b/src/helpers/helpers.options.js
@@ -90,13 +90,12 @@ export function toPadding(value) {
  * @private
  */
 export function _parseFont(options) {
-	var globalDefaults = defaults.global;
-	var size = valueOrDefault(options.fontSize, globalDefaults.defaultFontSize);
+	var size = valueOrDefault(options.fontSize, defaults.fontSize);
 	var font = {
-		family: valueOrDefault(options.fontFamily, globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily),
-		lineHeight: toLineHeight(valueOrDefault(options.lineHeight, globalDefaults.defaultLineHeight), size),
+		family: valueOrDefault(options.fontFamily, defaults.fontFamily),
+		lineHeight: toLineHeight(valueOrDefault(options.lineHeight, defaults.lineHeight), size),
 		size: size,
-		style: valueOrDefault(options.fontStyle, globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle),
+		style: valueOrDefault(options.fontStyle, defaults.fontStyle),
 		weight: null,
 		string: ''
 	};
diff --git a/src/plugins/plugin.filler.js b/src/plugins/plugin.filler.js
index 8735f15dbb8..2473a6fd2a2 100644
--- a/src/plugins/plugin.filler.js
+++ b/src/plugins/plugin.filler.js
@@ -13,11 +13,9 @@ import {clipArea, unclipArea} from '../helpers/helpers.canvas';
 import {valueOrDefault, isFinite, isArray, extend} from '../helpers/helpers.core';
 import {_normalizeAngle} from '../helpers/helpers.math';
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	plugins: {
-		filler: {
-			propagate: true
-		}
+defaults._set('plugins', {
+	filler: {
+		propagate: true
 	}
 });
 
@@ -436,7 +434,7 @@ export default {
 			const {line, target, scale} = meta;
 			const lineOpts = line.options;
 			const fillOption = lineOpts.fill;
-			const color = lineOpts.backgroundColor || defaults.global.defaultColor;
+			const color = lineOpts.backgroundColor || defaults.color;
 			const {above = color, below = color} = fillOption || {};
 			if (target && line.points.length) {
 				clipArea(ctx, area);
diff --git a/src/plugins/plugin.legend.js b/src/plugins/plugin.legend.js
index cde22941e1d..c5509f76663 100644
--- a/src/plugins/plugin.legend.js
+++ b/src/plugins/plugin.legend.js
@@ -8,71 +8,69 @@ const layouts = require('../core/core.layouts');
 const getRtlHelper = helpers.rtl.getRtlAdapter;
 const valueOrDefault = helpers.valueOrDefault;
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	legend: {
-		display: true,
-		position: 'top',
-		align: 'center',
-		fullWidth: true,
-		reverse: false,
-		weight: 1000,
-
-		// a callback that will handle
-		onClick: function(e, legendItem) {
-			var index = legendItem.datasetIndex;
-			var ci = this.chart;
-			var meta = ci.getDatasetMeta(index);
-
-			// See controller.isDatasetVisible comment
-			meta.hidden = meta.hidden === null ? !ci.data.datasets[index].hidden : null;
-
-			// We hid a dataset ... rerender the chart
-			ci.update();
-		},
-
-		onHover: null,
-		onLeave: null,
-
-		labels: {
-			boxWidth: 40,
-			padding: 10,
-			// Generates labels shown in the legend
-			// Valid properties to return:
-			// text : text to display
-			// fillStyle : fill of coloured box
-			// strokeStyle: stroke of coloured box
-			// hidden : if this legend item refers to a hidden item
-			// lineCap : cap style for line
-			// lineDash
-			// lineDashOffset :
-			// lineJoin :
-			// lineWidth :
-			generateLabels: function(chart) {
-				var datasets = chart.data.datasets;
-				var options = chart.options.legend || {};
-				var usePointStyle = options.labels && options.labels.usePointStyle;
-
-				return chart._getSortedDatasetMetas().map(function(meta) {
-					var style = meta.controller.getStyle(usePointStyle ? 0 : undefined);
-
-					return {
-						text: datasets[meta.index].label,
-						fillStyle: style.backgroundColor,
-						hidden: !meta.visible,
-						lineCap: style.borderCapStyle,
-						lineDash: style.borderDash,
-						lineDashOffset: style.borderDashOffset,
-						lineJoin: style.borderJoinStyle,
-						lineWidth: style.borderWidth,
-						strokeStyle: style.borderColor,
-						pointStyle: style.pointStyle,
-						rotation: style.rotation,
-
-						// Below is extra data used for toggling the datasets
-						datasetIndex: meta.index
-					};
-				}, this);
-			}
+defaults._set('legend', {
+	display: true,
+	position: 'top',
+	align: 'center',
+	fullWidth: true,
+	reverse: false,
+	weight: 1000,
+
+	// a callback that will handle
+	onClick: function(e, legendItem) {
+		var index = legendItem.datasetIndex;
+		var ci = this.chart;
+		var meta = ci.getDatasetMeta(index);
+
+		// See controller.isDatasetVisible comment
+		meta.hidden = meta.hidden === null ? !ci.data.datasets[index].hidden : null;
+
+		// We hid a dataset ... rerender the chart
+		ci.update();
+	},
+
+	onHover: null,
+	onLeave: null,
+
+	labels: {
+		boxWidth: 40,
+		padding: 10,
+		// Generates labels shown in the legend
+		// Valid properties to return:
+		// text : text to display
+		// fillStyle : fill of coloured box
+		// strokeStyle: stroke of coloured box
+		// hidden : if this legend item refers to a hidden item
+		// lineCap : cap style for line
+		// lineDash
+		// lineDashOffset :
+		// lineJoin :
+		// lineWidth :
+		generateLabels: function(chart) {
+			var datasets = chart.data.datasets;
+			var options = chart.options.legend || {};
+			var usePointStyle = options.labels && options.labels.usePointStyle;
+
+			return chart._getSortedDatasetMetas().map(function(meta) {
+				var style = meta.controller.getStyle(usePointStyle ? 0 : undefined);
+
+				return {
+					text: datasets[meta.index].label,
+					fillStyle: style.backgroundColor,
+					hidden: !meta.visible,
+					lineCap: style.borderCapStyle,
+					lineDash: style.borderDash,
+					lineDashOffset: style.borderDashOffset,
+					lineJoin: style.borderJoinStyle,
+					lineWidth: style.borderWidth,
+					strokeStyle: style.borderColor,
+					pointStyle: style.pointStyle,
+					rotation: style.rotation,
+
+					// Below is extra data used for toggling the datasets
+					datasetIndex: meta.index
+				};
+			}, this);
 		}
 	}
 });
@@ -333,9 +331,8 @@ class Legend extends Element {
 		var me = this;
 		var opts = me.options;
 		var labelOpts = opts.labels;
-		var globalDefaults = defaults.global;
-		var defaultColor = globalDefaults.defaultColor;
-		var lineDefault = globalDefaults.elements.line;
+		var defaultColor = defaults.color;
+		var lineDefault = defaults.elements.line;
 		var legendHeight = me.height;
 		var columnHeights = me.columnHeights;
 		var legendWidth = me.width;
@@ -347,7 +344,7 @@ class Legend extends Element {
 
 		var rtlHelper = getRtlHelper(opts.rtl, me.left, me.minSize.width);
 		var ctx = me.ctx;
-		var fontColor = valueOrDefault(labelOpts.fontColor, globalDefaults.defaultFontColor);
+		var fontColor = valueOrDefault(labelOpts.fontColor, defaults.fontColor);
 		var labelFont = helpers.options._parseFont(labelOpts);
 		var fontSize = labelFont.size;
 		var cursor;
@@ -602,7 +599,7 @@ module.exports = {
 		var legend = chart.legend;
 
 		if (legendOpts) {
-			helpers.mergeIf(legendOpts, defaults.global.legend);
+			helpers.mergeIf(legendOpts, defaults.legend);
 
 			if (legend) {
 				layouts.configure(chart, legend, legendOpts);
diff --git a/src/plugins/plugin.title.js b/src/plugins/plugin.title.js
index c894e13c073..452f921e7a4 100644
--- a/src/plugins/plugin.title.js
+++ b/src/plugins/plugin.title.js
@@ -5,16 +5,14 @@ const Element = require('../core/core.element');
 const helpers = require('../helpers/index');
 const layouts = require('../core/core.layouts');
 
-defaults._set('global', {
-	title: {
-		display: false,
-		fontStyle: 'bold',
-		fullWidth: true,
-		padding: 10,
-		position: 'top',
-		text: '',
-		weight: 2000         // by default greater than legend (1000) to be above
-	}
+defaults._set('title', {
+	display: false,
+	fontStyle: 'bold',
+	fullWidth: true,
+	padding: 10,
+	position: 'top',
+	text: '',
+	weight: 2000         // by default greater than legend (1000) to be above
 });
 
 /**
@@ -148,7 +146,7 @@ class Title extends Element {
 		var right = me.right;
 		var maxWidth, titleX, titleY;
 
-		ctx.fillStyle = helpers.valueOrDefault(opts.fontColor, defaults.global.defaultFontColor); // render in correct colour
+		ctx.fillStyle = helpers.valueOrDefault(opts.fontColor, defaults.fontColor); // render in correct colour
 		ctx.font = fontOpts.string;
 
 		// Horizontal
@@ -221,7 +219,7 @@ module.exports = {
 		var titleBlock = chart.titleBlock;
 
 		if (titleOpts) {
-			helpers.mergeIf(titleOpts, defaults.global.title);
+			helpers.mergeIf(titleOpts, defaults.title);
 
 			if (titleBlock) {
 				layouts.configure(chart, titleBlock, titleOpts);
diff --git a/src/scales/scale.logarithmic.js b/src/scales/scale.logarithmic.js
index 9811dab4c22..28e9499a87c 100644
--- a/src/scales/scale.logarithmic.js
+++ b/src/scales/scale.logarithmic.js
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ class LogarithmicScale extends Scale {
 
 		if (start === 0) {
 			start = me._getFirstTickValue(me.minNotZero);
-			offset = valueOrDefault(me.options.ticks.fontSize, defaults.global.defaultFontSize) / me._length;
+			offset = valueOrDefault(me.options.ticks.fontSize, defaults.fontSize) / me._length;
 		}
 
 		me._startValue = log10(start);
diff --git a/src/scales/scale.radialLinear.js b/src/scales/scale.radialLinear.js
index ddf7fac1317..433088b0f8e 100644
--- a/src/scales/scale.radialLinear.js
+++ b/src/scales/scale.radialLinear.js
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ function getTickBackdropHeight(opts) {
 	var tickOpts = opts.ticks;
 
 	if (tickOpts.display && opts.display) {
-		return valueOrDefault(tickOpts.fontSize, defaults.global.defaultFontSize) + tickOpts.backdropPaddingY * 2;
+		return valueOrDefault(tickOpts.fontSize, defaults.fontSize) + tickOpts.backdropPaddingY * 2;
 	}
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ function drawPointLabels(scale) {
 		var pointLabelPosition = scale.getPointPosition(i, outerDistance + extra + 5);
 
 		// Keep this in loop since we may support array properties here
-		var pointLabelFontColor = valueAtIndexOrDefault(pointLabelOpts.fontColor, i, defaults.global.defaultFontColor);
+		var pointLabelFontColor = valueAtIndexOrDefault(pointLabelOpts.fontColor, i, defaults.fontColor);
 		ctx.fillStyle = pointLabelFontColor;
 
 		var angleRadians = scale.getIndexAngle(i);
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ class RadialLinearScale extends LinearScaleBase {
 
 		var startAngle = me.getIndexAngle(0);
 		var tickFont = helpers.options._parseFont(tickOpts);
-		var tickFontColor = valueOrDefault(tickOpts.fontColor, defaults.global.defaultFontColor);
+		var tickFontColor = valueOrDefault(tickOpts.fontColor, defaults.fontColor);
 		var offset, width;
 
 		ctx.save();
diff --git a/src/scales/scale.time.js b/src/scales/scale.time.js
index d98b7816e30..ba6ad204901 100644
--- a/src/scales/scale.time.js
+++ b/src/scales/scale.time.js
@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ class TimeScale extends Scale {
 		const angle = toRadians(me.isHorizontal() ? ticksOpts.maxRotation : ticksOpts.minRotation);
 		const cosRotation = Math.cos(angle);
 		const sinRotation = Math.sin(angle);
-		const tickFontSize = valueOrDefault(ticksOpts.fontSize, defaults.global.defaultFontSize);
+		const tickFontSize = valueOrDefault(ticksOpts.fontSize, defaults.fontSize);
 
 		return {
 			w: (tickLabelWidth * cosRotation) + (tickFontSize * sinRotation),
diff --git a/test/specs/controller.bar.tests.js b/test/specs/controller.bar.tests.js
index 0ec56a7a9db..317dc946f37 100644
--- a/test/specs/controller.bar.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/controller.bar.tests.js
@@ -1343,7 +1343,7 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.bar', function() {
 			var chart = window.acquireChart(this.config);
 			var meta = chart.getDatasetMeta(0);
 			var xScale = chart.scales[meta.xAxisID];
-			var options = Chart.defaults.global.datasets.bar;
+			var options = Chart.defaults.datasets.bar;
 
 			var categoryPercentage = options.categoryPercentage;
 			var barPercentage = options.barPercentage;
@@ -1517,7 +1517,7 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.bar', function() {
 						expected = barThickness;
 					} else {
 						var scale = chart.scales.x;
-						var options = Chart.defaults.global.datasets.bar;
+						var options = Chart.defaults.datasets.bar;
 						var categoryPercentage = options.categoryPercentage;
 						var barPercentage = options.barPercentage;
 						var tickInterval = scale.getPixelForTick(1) - scale.getPixelForTick(0);
diff --git a/test/specs/controller.bubble.tests.js b/test/specs/controller.bubble.tests.js
index 8f4211423e3..be098a599fc 100644
--- a/test/specs/controller.bubble.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/controller.bubble.tests.js
@@ -141,8 +141,8 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.bubble', function() {
 			expect(meta.data[i].x).toBeCloseToPixel(expected.x);
 			expect(meta.data[i].y).toBeCloseToPixel(expected.y);
 			expect(meta.data[i].options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
-				backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
-				borderColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+				backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.color,
+				borderColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 				borderWidth: 1,
 				hitRadius: 1,
 				radius: expected.r
diff --git a/test/specs/controller.line.tests.js b/test/specs/controller.line.tests.js
index 4b0e87851a0..383a0443a63 100644
--- a/test/specs/controller.line.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/controller.line.tests.js
@@ -559,18 +559,18 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.line', function() {
 
 	describe('dataset global defaults', function() {
 		beforeEach(function() {
-			this._defaults = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line);
+			this._defaults = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.datasets.line);
 		});
 
 		afterEach(function() {
-			Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line = this._defaults;
+			Chart.defaults.datasets.line = this._defaults;
 			delete this._defaults;
 		});
 
 		it('should utilize the dataset global default options', function() {
-			Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line = Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line || {};
+			Chart.defaults.datasets.line = Chart.defaults.datasets.line || {};
 
-			Chart.helpers.merge(Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line, {
+			Chart.helpers.merge(Chart.defaults.datasets.line, {
 				spanGaps: true,
 				lineTension: 0.231,
 				backgroundColor: '#add',
@@ -611,9 +611,9 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.line', function() {
 		});
 
 		it('should be overriden by user-supplied values', function() {
-			Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line = Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line || {};
+			Chart.defaults.datasets.line = Chart.defaults.datasets.line || {};
 
-			Chart.helpers.merge(Chart.defaults.global.datasets.line, {
+			Chart.helpers.merge(Chart.defaults.datasets.line, {
 				spanGaps: true,
 				lineTension: 0.231
 			});
diff --git a/test/specs/controller.radar.tests.js b/test/specs/controller.radar.tests.js
index c3031cefab1..d26c003f9a2 100644
--- a/test/specs/controller.radar.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/controller.radar.tests.js
@@ -100,9 +100,9 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.radar', function() {
 						tension: 0.1,
 					},
 					point: {
-						backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+						backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 						borderWidth: 1,
-						borderColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+						borderColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 						hitRadius: 1,
 						hoverRadius: 4,
 						hoverBorderWidth: 1,
@@ -143,9 +143,9 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.radar', function() {
 			expect(meta.data[i].controlPointNextX).toBeCloseToPixel(expected.cpnx);
 			expect(meta.data[i].controlPointNextY).toBeCloseToPixel(expected.cpny);
 			expect(meta.data[i].options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
-				backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+				backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 				borderWidth: 1,
-				borderColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+				borderColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 				hitRadius: 1,
 				radius: 3,
 				pointStyle: 'circle',
@@ -168,9 +168,9 @@ describe('Chart.controllers.radar', function() {
 			expect(meta.data[i].controlPointNextX).toBeCloseToPixel(expected.cpnx);
 			expect(meta.data[i].controlPointNextY).toBeCloseToPixel(expected.cpny);
 			expect(meta.data[i].options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
-				backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+				backgroundColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 				borderWidth: 1,
-				borderColor: Chart.defaults.global.defaultColor,
+				borderColor: Chart.defaults.color,
 				hitRadius: 1,
 				radius: 3,
 				pointStyle: 'circle',
diff --git a/test/specs/core.controller.tests.js b/test/specs/core.controller.tests.js
index e22fd7c4ae6..d8b59930e7c 100644
--- a/test/specs/core.controller.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/core.controller.tests.js
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ describe('Chart', function() {
 			var callback = function() {};
 			var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
-			defaults.global.hover.onHover = callback;
+			defaults.hover.onHover = callback;
 			defaults.line.spanGaps = true;
 			defaults.line.hover.mode = 'x-axis';
 
@@ -75,13 +75,13 @@ describe('Chart', function() {
 			});
 
 			var options = chart.options;
-			expect(options.defaultFontSize).toBe(defaults.global.defaultFontSize);
+			expect(options.fontSize).toBe(defaults.fontSize);
 			expect(options.showLines).toBe(defaults.line.showLines);
 			expect(options.spanGaps).toBe(true);
 			expect(options.hover.onHover).toBe(callback);
 			expect(options.hover.mode).toBe('x-axis');
 
-			defaults.global.hover.onHover = null;
+			defaults.hover.onHover = null;
 			defaults.line.spanGaps = false;
 			defaults.line.hover.mode = 'index';
 		});
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ describe('Chart', function() {
 			var callback = function() {};
 			var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
-			defaults.global.hover.onHover = callback;
+			defaults.hover.onHover = callback;
 			defaults.line.hover.mode = 'x-axis';
 			defaults.line.spanGaps = true;
 
@@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ describe('Chart', function() {
 			});
 
 			var options = chart.options;
-			expect(options.showLines).toBe(defaults.global.showLines);
+			expect(options.showLines).toBe(defaults.showLines);
 			expect(options.spanGaps).toBe(false);
 			expect(options.hover.mode).toBe('dataset');
 			expect(options.title.position).toBe('bottom');
 
-			defaults.global.hover.onHover = null;
+			defaults.hover.onHover = null;
 			defaults.line.hover.mode = 'index';
 			defaults.line.spanGaps = false;
 		});
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ describe('Chart', function() {
 			expect(chart.scales.y.options._jasmineCheck).toBeDefined();
 
 			expect(Chart.defaults.line._jasmineCheck).not.toBeDefined();
-			expect(Chart.defaults.global._jasmineCheck).not.toBeDefined();
+			expect(Chart.defaults._jasmineCheck).not.toBeDefined();
 			expect(Chart.scaleService.defaults.linear._jasmineCheck).not.toBeDefined();
 			expect(Chart.scaleService.defaults.category._jasmineCheck).not.toBeDefined();
 		});
diff --git a/test/specs/core.plugin.tests.js b/test/specs/core.plugin.tests.js
index 977f607a7c9..2e193db080c 100644
--- a/test/specs/core.plugin.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/core.plugin.tests.js
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ describe('Chart.plugins', function() {
 		it('should call plugins with default options when plugin options is TRUE', function() {
 			var plugin = {id: 'a', hook: function() {}};
 
-			Chart.defaults.global.plugins.a = {a: 42};
+			Chart.defaults.plugins.a = {a: 42};
 			Chart.plugins.register(plugin);
 
 			var chart = window.acquireChart({
@@ -324,14 +324,14 @@ describe('Chart.plugins', function() {
 			expect(plugin.hook).toHaveBeenCalled();
 			expect(plugin.hook.calls.first().args[1]).toEqual({a: 42});
 
-			delete Chart.defaults.global.plugins.a;
+			delete Chart.defaults.plugins.a;
 		});
 
 
 		it('should call plugins with default options if plugin config options is undefined', function() {
 			var plugin = {id: 'a', hook: function() {}};
 
-			Chart.defaults.global.plugins.a = {a: 'foobar'};
+			Chart.defaults.plugins.a = {a: 'foobar'};
 			Chart.plugins.register(plugin);
 			spyOn(plugin, 'hook');
 
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ describe('Chart.plugins', function() {
 			expect(plugin.hook).toHaveBeenCalled();
 			expect(plugin.hook.calls.first().args[1]).toEqual({a: 'foobar'});
 
-			delete Chart.defaults.global.plugins.a;
+			delete Chart.defaults.plugins.a;
 		});
 
 		// https://github.com/chartjs/Chart.js/issues/5111#issuecomment-355934167
diff --git a/test/specs/core.tooltip.tests.js b/test/specs/core.tooltip.tests.js
index 4b8da46e454..01c5b303c38 100644
--- a/test/specs/core.tooltip.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/core.tooltip.tests.js
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 				value: '20'
 			};
 
-			var label = Chart.defaults.global.tooltips.callbacks.label(tooltipItem, data);
+			var label = Chart.defaults.tooltips.callbacks.label(tooltipItem, data);
 			expect(label).toBe('20');
 
 			data.datasets[0].label = 'My dataset';
-			label = Chart.defaults.global.tooltips.callbacks.label(tooltipItem, data);
+			label = Chart.defaults.tooltips.callbacks.label(tooltipItem, data);
 			expect(label).toBe('My dataset: 20');
 		});
 	});
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 			// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 			var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-			var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+			var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 			expect(tooltip.options.xPadding).toEqual(6);
 			expect(tooltip.options.yPadding).toEqual(6);
@@ -88,19 +88,19 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 				// Body
 				bodyFontColor: '#fff',
-				bodyFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
-				bodyFontStyle: globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle,
+				bodyFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
+				bodyFontStyle: defaults.fontStyle,
 				bodyAlign: 'left',
-				bodyFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+				bodyFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 				bodySpacing: 2,
 			}));
 
 			expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 				// Title
 				titleFontColor: '#fff',
-				titleFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+				titleFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 				titleFontStyle: 'bold',
-				titleFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+				titleFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 				titleAlign: 'left',
 				titleSpacing: 2,
 				titleMarginBottom: 6,
@@ -109,9 +109,9 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 				// Footer
 				footerFontColor: '#fff',
-				footerFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+				footerFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 				footerFontStyle: 'bold',
-				footerFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+				footerFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 				footerAlign: 'left',
 				footerSpacing: 2,
 				footerMarginTop: 6,
@@ -145,11 +145,11 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 				afterBody: [],
 				footer: [],
 				labelColors: [{
-					borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-					backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+					borderColor: defaults.color,
+					backgroundColor: defaults.color
 				}, {
-					borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-					backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+					borderColor: defaults.color,
+					backgroundColor: defaults.color
 				}]
 			}));
 
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip.options.xPadding).toEqual(6);
 		expect(tooltip.options.yPadding).toEqual(6);
@@ -264,19 +264,19 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Body
 			bodyFontColor: '#fff',
-			bodyFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
-			bodyFontStyle: globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle,
+			bodyFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
+			bodyFontStyle: defaults.fontStyle,
 			bodyAlign: 'left',
-			bodyFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			bodyFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			bodySpacing: 2,
 		}));
 
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Title
 			titleFontColor: '#fff',
-			titleFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+			titleFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 			titleFontStyle: 'bold',
-			titleFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			titleFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			titleAlign: 'left',
 			titleSpacing: 2,
 			titleMarginBottom: 6,
@@ -285,9 +285,9 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Footer
 			footerFontColor: '#fff',
-			footerFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+			footerFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 			footerFontStyle: 'bold',
-			footerFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			footerFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			footerAlign: 'left',
 			footerSpacing: 2,
 			footerMarginTop: 6,
@@ -318,8 +318,8 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			footer: [],
 			labelTextColors: ['#fff'],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip.options.xPadding).toEqual(6);
 		expect(tooltip.options.yPadding).toEqual(6);
@@ -419,19 +419,19 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Body
 			bodyFontColor: '#fff',
-			bodyFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
-			bodyFontStyle: globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle,
+			bodyFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
+			bodyFontStyle: defaults.fontStyle,
 			bodyAlign: 'left',
-			bodyFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			bodyFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			bodySpacing: 2,
 		}));
 
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Title
 			titleFontColor: '#fff',
-			titleFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+			titleFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 			titleFontStyle: 'bold',
-			titleFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			titleFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			titleAlign: 'left',
 			titleSpacing: 2,
 			titleMarginBottom: 6,
@@ -440,9 +440,9 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Footer
 			footerFontColor: '#fff',
-			footerFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+			footerFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 			footerFontStyle: 'bold',
-			footerFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			footerFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			footerAlign: 'left',
 			footerSpacing: 2,
 			footerMarginTop: 6,
@@ -476,11 +476,11 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			footer: ['beforeFooter', 'footer', 'afterFooter'],
 			labelTextColors: ['labelTextColor', 'labelTextColor'],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}, {
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Positioning
@@ -557,11 +557,11 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			afterBody: [],
 			footer: [],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}, {
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 
@@ -614,7 +614,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Positioning
@@ -636,11 +636,11 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			afterBody: [],
 			footer: [],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}, {
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 
@@ -694,7 +694,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Positioning
@@ -716,11 +716,11 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			afterBody: [],
 			footer: [],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}, {
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 
@@ -777,7 +777,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Positioning
@@ -795,8 +795,8 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			afterBody: [],
 			footer: [],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 	});
@@ -1176,7 +1176,7 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 		// Check and see if tooltip was displayed
 		var tooltip = chart.tooltip;
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 
 		expect(tooltip.options.xPadding).toEqual(6);
 		expect(tooltip.options.yPadding).toEqual(6);
@@ -1186,19 +1186,19 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Body
 			bodyFontColor: '#fff',
-			bodyFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
-			bodyFontStyle: globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle,
+			bodyFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
+			bodyFontStyle: defaults.fontStyle,
 			bodyAlign: 'left',
-			bodyFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			bodyFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			bodySpacing: 2,
 		}));
 
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Title
 			titleFontColor: '#fff',
-			titleFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+			titleFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 			titleFontStyle: 'bold',
-			titleFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			titleFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			titleAlign: 'left',
 			titleSpacing: 2,
 			titleMarginBottom: 6,
@@ -1207,9 +1207,9 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 		expect(tooltip.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining({
 			// Footer
 			footerFontColor: '#fff',
-			footerFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+			footerFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 			footerFontStyle: 'bold',
-			footerFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+			footerFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 			footerAlign: 'left',
 			footerSpacing: 2,
 			footerMarginTop: 6,
@@ -1243,17 +1243,17 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 			footer: ['beforeFooter', 'newline', 'footer', 'newline', 'afterFooter', 'newline'],
 			labelTextColors: ['labelTextColor', 'labelTextColor'],
 			labelColors: [{
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}, {
-				borderColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor,
-				backgroundColor: globalDefaults.defaultColor
+				borderColor: defaults.color,
+				backgroundColor: defaults.color
 			}]
 		}));
 	});
 
 	describe('text align', function() {
-		var globalDefaults = Chart.defaults.global;
+		var defaults = Chart.defaults;
 		var makeView = function(title, body, footer) {
 			return {
 				// Positioning
@@ -1270,26 +1270,26 @@ describe('Core.Tooltip', function() {
 
 					// Body
 					bodyFontColor: '#fff',
-					bodyFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
-					bodyFontStyle: globalDefaults.defaultFontStyle,
+					bodyFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
+					bodyFontStyle: defaults.fontStyle,
 					bodyAlign: body,
-					bodyFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+					bodyFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 					bodySpacing: 2,
 
 					// Title
 					titleFontColor: '#fff',
-					titleFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+					titleFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 					titleFontStyle: 'bold',
-					titleFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+					titleFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 					titleAlign: title,
 					titleSpacing: 2,
 					titleMarginBottom: 6,
 
 					// Footer
 					footerFontColor: '#fff',
-					footerFontFamily: globalDefaults.defaultFontFamily,
+					footerFontFamily: defaults.fontFamily,
 					footerFontStyle: 'bold',
-					footerFontSize: globalDefaults.defaultFontSize,
+					footerFontSize: defaults.fontSize,
 					footerAlign: footer,
 					footerSpacing: 2,
 					footerMarginTop: 6,
diff --git a/test/specs/helpers.options.tests.js b/test/specs/helpers.options.tests.js
index 1afbd59bd45..f41dde4fb52 100644
--- a/test/specs/helpers.options.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/helpers.options.tests.js
@@ -70,14 +70,17 @@ describe('Chart.helpers.options', function() {
 		var parseFont = options._parseFont;
 
 		it ('should return a font with default values', function() {
-			var global = Chart.defaults.global;
-
-			Chart.defaults.global = {
-				defaultFontFamily: 'foobar',
-				defaultFontSize: 42,
-				defaultFontStyle: 'xxxyyy',
-				defaultLineHeight: 1.5
-			};
+			const fontFamily = Chart.defaults.fontFamily;
+			const fontSize = Chart.defaults.fontSize;
+			const fontStyle = Chart.defaults.fontStyle;
+			const lineHeight = Chart.defaults.lineHeight;
+
+			Chart.helpers.extend(Chart.defaults, {
+				fontFamily: 'foobar',
+				fontSize: 42,
+				fontStyle: 'xxxyyy',
+				lineHeight: 1.5
+			});
 
 			expect(parseFont({})).toEqual({
 				family: 'foobar',
@@ -88,7 +91,12 @@ describe('Chart.helpers.options', function() {
 				weight: null
 			});
 
-			Chart.defaults.global = global;
+			Chart.helpers.extend(Chart.defaults, {
+				fontFamily,
+				fontSize,
+				fontStyle,
+				lineHeight
+			});
 		});
 		it ('should return a font with given values', function() {
 			expect(parseFont({
@@ -106,9 +114,10 @@ describe('Chart.helpers.options', function() {
 			});
 		});
 		it('should return null as a font string if fontSize or fontFamily are missing', function() {
-			var global = Chart.defaults.global;
-
-			Chart.defaults.global = {};
+			const fontFamily = Chart.defaults.fontFamily;
+			const fontSize = Chart.defaults.fontSize;
+			delete Chart.defaults.fontFamily;
+			delete Chart.defaults.fontSize;
 
 			expect(parseFont({
 				fontStyle: 'italic',
@@ -119,19 +128,19 @@ describe('Chart.helpers.options', function() {
 				fontFamily: 'serif'
 			}).string).toBeNull();
 
-			Chart.defaults.global = global;
+			Chart.defaults.fontFamily = fontFamily;
+			Chart.defaults.fontSize = fontSize;
 		});
 		it('fontStyle should be optional for font strings', function() {
-			var global = Chart.defaults.global;
-
-			Chart.defaults.global = {};
+			const fontStyle = Chart.defaults.fontStyle;
+			delete Chart.defaults.fontStyle;
 
 			expect(parseFont({
 				fontSize: 12,
 				fontFamily: 'serif'
 			}).string).toBe('12px serif');
 
-			Chart.defaults.global = global;
+			Chart.defaults.fontStyle = fontStyle;
 		});
 	});
 
diff --git a/test/specs/plugin.legend.tests.js b/test/specs/plugin.legend.tests.js
index 671e3af2c48..23072b9c9aa 100644
--- a/test/specs/plugin.legend.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/plugin.legend.tests.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ describe('Legend block tests', function() {
 	describe('auto', jasmine.fixture.specs('plugin.legend'));
 
 	it('should have the correct default config', function() {
-		expect(Chart.defaults.global.legend).toEqual({
+		expect(Chart.defaults.legend).toEqual({
 			display: true,
 			position: 'top',
 			align: 'center',
@@ -591,7 +591,7 @@ describe('Legend block tests', function() {
 			chart.options.legend = {};
 			chart.update();
 			expect(chart.legend).not.toBe(undefined);
-			expect(chart.legend.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining(Chart.defaults.global.legend));
+			expect(chart.legend.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining(Chart.defaults.legend));
 		});
 	});
 
diff --git a/test/specs/plugin.title.tests.js b/test/specs/plugin.title.tests.js
index 7540428f902..66b9d0f9094 100644
--- a/test/specs/plugin.title.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/plugin.title.tests.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var Title = Chart.plugins.getAll().find(p => p.id === 'title')._element;
 
 describe('Title block tests', function() {
 	it('Should have the correct default config', function() {
-		expect(Chart.defaults.global.title).toEqual({
+		expect(Chart.defaults.title).toEqual({
 			display: false,
 			position: 'top',
 			fullWidth: true,
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ describe('Title block tests', function() {
 	it('should update correctly', function() {
 		var chart = {};
 
-		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.global.title);
+		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.title);
 		options.text = 'My title';
 
 		var title = new Title({
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ describe('Title block tests', function() {
 	it('should update correctly when vertical', function() {
 		var chart = {};
 
-		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.global.title);
+		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.title);
 		options.text = 'My title';
 		options.position = 'left';
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ describe('Title block tests', function() {
 	it('should have the correct size when there are multiple lines of text', function() {
 		var chart = {};
 
-		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.global.title);
+		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.title);
 		options.text = ['line1', 'line2'];
 		options.position = 'left';
 		options.display = true;
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ describe('Title block tests', function() {
 		var chart = {};
 		var context = window.createMockContext();
 
-		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.global.title);
+		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.title);
 		options.text = 'My title';
 
 		var title = new Title({
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ describe('Title block tests', function() {
 		var chart = {};
 		var context = window.createMockContext();
 
-		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.global.title);
+		var options = Chart.helpers.clone(Chart.defaults.title);
 		options.text = 'My title';
 		options.position = 'left';
 
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ describe('Title block tests', function() {
 			chart.options.title = {};
 			chart.update();
 			expect(chart.titleBlock).not.toBe(undefined);
-			expect(chart.titleBlock.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining(Chart.defaults.global.title));
+			expect(chart.titleBlock.options).toEqual(jasmine.objectContaining(Chart.defaults.title));
 		});
 	});
 });
diff --git a/test/specs/scale.logarithmic.tests.js b/test/specs/scale.logarithmic.tests.js
index b2233e82b95..e8b9694c77d 100644
--- a/test/specs/scale.logarithmic.tests.js
+++ b/test/specs/scale.logarithmic.tests.js
@@ -1135,7 +1135,7 @@ describe('Logarithmic Scale tests', function() {
 						var scale = chart.scales[axisID];
 						var firstTick = setup.firstTick;
 						var lastTick = setup.lastTick;
-						var fontSize = chart.options.defaultFontSize;
+						var fontSize = chart.options.fontSize;
 						var start = chart.chartArea[axis.start];
 						var end = chart.chartArea[axis.end];
 						var sign = scale.isHorizontal() ? 1 : -1;
diff --git a/test/utils.js b/test/utils.js
index e2d3e7a2877..7a8e31c1a90 100644
--- a/test/utils.js
+++ b/test/utils.js
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ function acquireChart(config, options) {
 	config.options = config.options || {};
 	config.options.animation = config.options.animation === undefined ? false : config.options.animation;
 	config.options.responsive = config.options.responsive === undefined ? false : config.options.responsive;
-	config.options.defaultFontFamily = config.options.defaultFontFamily || 'Arial';
+	config.options.fontFamily = config.options.fontFamily || 'Arial';
 
 	wrapper.appendChild(canvas);
 	window.document.body.appendChild(wrapper);