Sherwin-Williams Brands Unite on a Surprising Color of the Year—and It Goes With Everything

Following the neutral tone trend we've been seeing with other paint brands and their Color of the Year choices, Sherwin-Williams and its sister brand HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams have also picked a practical, pleasing shade.

For the first time ever, the two brands have teamed up to reveal a joint 2026 Color of the Year—Universal Khaki.

This earthy mid-tone tan "really represents balance. It’s a neutral, but it has warmth and depth that make it a dynamic beige," says Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, which is sold exclusively at Lowe’s stores nationwide.

"We have seen an ongoing shift in consumer preferences toward sanded shades and earthier tones, and Universal Khaki captures that desire for colors that feel natural and timeless. It’s grounding without being heavy, and it’s flexible enough to be the anchor of a home’s color palette or a subtle backdrop that allows other hues to shine," she says.

The color has a slight yellow undertone and is typically associated with heavy canvas material, uniforms, and outdoor gear, evoking a sense of practicality and functionality. (It's paint color SW 6150 at Sherwin-Williams and HGSW6150 at Lowe’s.)

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Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, says that the color "represents the beauty of life’s bare essentials and the simplicity at the core of contemporary comfort. It’s a color that feels dependable, approachable, and timeless, while still offering endless design versatility."

Wadden leads the Sherwin-Williams Global Trendsights team, which researches key trends to develop the annual Colormix Forecast, Color of the Year, and its accompanying color story.

She says that this hue was "the right choice for 2026 because it embodies resilience and sophistication in equal measure. It’s a shade people can return to again and again, knowing it will always feel relevant."

When it comes to incorporating the color into home décor, Wadden says to think of Universal Khaki as the “quiet anchor” in your palette. "It’s a great way to pull a room together without overpowering other elements. I recommend pairing it with layered natural textures like wood, linen, and stone for a cozy yet timeless feel. It’s also strong enough to handle contrast, so don’t be afraid to use it alongside saturated hues like dark auburn, rich green, or a bold blue for a modern, grounded look."

She recommends pairing it with both warm and cool tones such as crisp whites like White Snow (SW 9541), warm neutrals like Cream and Sugar (SW 9507) or Limestone (SW 9599), and earth tones like Henna Shade (SW 6326) or Dark Auburn (SW 6034).

Banbury adds that it's a "shade that works almost anywhere in the home. In large, shared spaces, Universal Khaki creates a cohesive flow and an inviting warmth." She says it's a great partner for the other hues in the Honest Essentials Color Collection.

For HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, the 2026 Color of the Year is part of the brand’s 2026 Color Collection of the Year, Honest Essentials, a collection of 10 coordinating hues that helps homeowners select a color palette that "fits their personality and home best," she explains.

Banbury suggests pairing it with rich reds like Cordovan (HGSW6027) from the collection "to create a restorative bedroom retreat" or watery greens like Hazel (HGSW6471) for "a fresher, coastal-inspired look." And for those who want to lean into minimalism, "it layers beautifully with creamy neutrals as well, such as Neutral Ground (HGSW7568)." Banbury adds that "homeowners can use [Universal Khaki] on walls, cabinetry, or even accent furniture as it’s incredibly versatile."

As for why the paint brands joined forces this year, Wadden says that "by coming together, we’ve amplified the strength of both brands and reinforced Sherwin-Williams' leadership across our entire portfolio. This collaboration allows us to inspire a broader range of consumers—from DIY homeowners to pros—while providing a consistent, authoritative voice in color."

Banbury adds that "by uniting on a single Color of the Year, we can truly highlight the influence of Universal Khaki and its design versatility in years to come. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to showcase the broader movement toward natural, restorative hues that reflect how people want to live today, which is clean, simple, and intentional and provide them with a simplified color message to inspire them whether they’re shopping at Sherwin-Williams or Lowe’s."