Sherwin-Williams' 2026 Color Of The Year Is An Ode To Comfort, Simplicity, And Style

The thinkers behind Sherwin-Williams' Color of the Year choice for 2026 must know that we are in need of something soothing in our lives. The color of a cafe au lait, Universal Khaki (SW 6150) is far from being a boring beige. It's a classic, delicious tan that won't make your space look dated, maybe ever. The paint powerhouse has joined forces with a powerhouse of its own right, HGTV, to choose Universal Khaki as the tint of the upcoming year. The decision was purposeful; Universal Khaki gives off vibes of simplicity, agelessness, and comfort and will make a pleasant canvas for trends of this coming year and beyond.

Sherwin-Williams' Director of Color Marketing and Trendsight Team Leader, Sue Wadden, explains that "Universal Khaki is the easygoing neutral that makes every room feel pulled together. Its warm, earthy tone works with natural finishes, crisp whites, or bold pops of color — bringing timeless style to your home." The warm tan is also part of a group of 10 colors curated by Sherwin-Williams and HGTV, all of which play together beautifully, from pale and dark neutrals to splashes of reds and blues.

This shade of beige is also a good paint color to mask wear and tear in your home. But beyond the practical and functional levels, a room saturated in this tint — or even just added as homey accents — will tell all who enter that it's a place to relax and take their mind off worries.

Trends for '26 are rife with references to sensations and emotions as well as natural materials and sustainable touches, and a color that's as comforting as a hug fits right into the projections. Rooms in 2026 will invite you in for a respite that also recharges you with elements of biophilic design and touchable, snuggable pieces like faux fur and overstuffed furniture.

Other trending colors are similarly warm, suggesting that Universal Khaki will pair well with nearly any of them. Among the Sherwin-Williams team of 10, match it with other light neutrals like Cream and Sugar (SW 9507) or Lemon Chiffon (SW 6686), or throw in some eye-pleasing contrast with faded coral Henna Shade (SW 6326), deep, rich Tarragon (SW 9660), or Limestone (SW 9599). Walls, trims, built-ins, and even ceilings can wear combinations of Universal Khaki and another tint or two.

If forecasts are to be believed, the color drench paint trend is here to stay for at least another year. Universal Khaki may be a little more subdued than what designers had in mind for color supersaturation, but its pleasant neutrality also plays into the sustainable aspect of 2026 trends. While designers may have eco-friendly and natural materials in mind with sustainability, Universal Khaki is meant to stay beautiful for years to come, rather than being replaced quickly once we ring in 2027.