In 2011, Sherwin-Williams and HGTV announced their collaboration in the architectural coatings segment. As one aspect of the partnership, Sherwin-Williams has developed its HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams line of interior paints and painting supplies for viewers of HGTV’s home and lifestyle programs.

Typically, Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams have selected different colors of the year. However, for 2026, the two brands have unified around one specific color – Universal Khaki SW 6150 – as their 2026 Color of the Year.

Universal Khaki can best be described as a warm, earthy neutral that is timeless. It is ideal for both interior and exterior use. Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams, notes that khaki is a very practical and understated color.

“We found inspiration through the beauty of life’s essentials, and making sure that comfort and simplicity are at the core of a space,” Wadden observes. “The color khaki is very practical and understated, yet it always feels put together and can make a space appear thoughtful and cohesive.

“Choosing this color for 2026 speaks to a broader return to the basics in design: focusing on what’s timeless and functional, without excess,” Wadden adds. “Universal Khaki SW 6150 is a color that feels approachable, simple, and timeless, while still offering endless design versatility. Our Trendsight Team identified this hue as the right choice for 2026 because it embodies both resilience and sophistication equally. It’s a shade people can always go back to, knowing it will always feel relevant and have design flexibility.”

Wadden notes that Universal Khaki SW 6150 is one of those effortlessly versatile shades that feels both timeless and distinctive.

“It brings an immediate sense of ease to any space, especially where comfort and balance are key,” Wadden says. “In living rooms, it offers a cozy, welcoming foundation that pairs beautifully with either bold accents or soft, layered neutrals. In bedrooms, its warmth creates a serene retreat, harmonizing perfectly with plush textiles and layered bedding.

“In dining spaces, it grounds the room—allowing statement lighting, rich wood tones, and colorful table settings to truly stand out,” Wadden adds. “And in kitchens, it strikes the ideal balance: warm enough to add character, yet neutral enough to complement natural wood, stone, or metallic finishes. For those seeking smaller updates, Universal Khaki also shines on cabinetry, interior doors, or as a sophisticated wall color that highlights artwork and décor without competing for attention.”

Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, sees Universal Khaki (HGSW6150) as a warm, sophisticated tan that serves as a foundational color in a home’s color palette.

“In large, shared spaces like living rooms, kitchens or open-concept layouts, it creates an inviting flow from one area to the next and helps transition the color and textures of décor and furniture from one room to the next,” Banbury says. “In cozier rooms like bedrooms and dens, it sets a restful, grounding tone.

“Universal Khaki complements everything from modern minimalism, where it can layer with creamy whites and soft neutrals like Creamy (HGSW7012), to more traditional or eclectic spaces when paired with richer colors like Still Water (HGSW6223) or Cordovan (HGSW6027),” Banbury notes. “It really adapts to how homeowners want their spaces to feel.”

For 2025, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams chose Quietude, a cool sage green hue with slight blue undertones, as its Color of the Year. Banbury says that Universal Khaki continues the trends of recent years.

“Universal Khaki (HGSW6150) is part of the HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams 2026 Color Collection of the Year Honest Essentials, which is a continuation of the color and design story we started telling with last year’s Color Collection,” Banbury points out. “The 2025 Color Collection of the Year included creamy neutrals, warm browns and an orange, and muted yellows and greens, including Quietude (HGSW6212). Universal Khaki continues the thread of neutrals that we’ve incorporated into the last six years of Color Collections of the Year and pairs well with the tranquil teals found in both Color Collections.”

“Each selection reflects the unique lens of its respective brand: Quietude is a soft, tranquil blue-green that speaks to restorative calm and personal retreat, while Universal Khaki leans into timelessness and grounded simplicity,” Wadden observes. “That said, the two colors pair beautifully together. Quietude’s cool, serene undertone complements the warm neutrality of Universal Khaki, creating a balanced palette that feels both fresh and comforting. It’s a great example of how our color stories evolve year over year—building on emotional resonance while expanding design versatility.”

“Universal Khaki SW 6150 absolutely continues the trajectory we’ve seen in recent years—toward grounded, intentional design,” Wadden says. “It builds on the growing desire for spaces that feel restorative, real, and enduring.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen a shift away from fleeting trends and toward colors that offer longevity and versatility,” Wadden adds. “Universal Khaki fits squarely into that movement. It’s a neutral that doesn’t fade into the background—it anchors a space with quiet confidence and allows for creative layering, whether that’s through texture, material, or accent color. This shade also reflects a broader cultural return to the essentials: design that’s thoughtful, functional, and emotionally resonant. It’s part of a larger story we’ve been telling—one where simplicity is celebrated, and timelessness is the new luxury.”

Ubiversal Khaki is one of the hues from Sherwin-Williams’ Palette No. 4, Foundational Neutrals, in Sherwin-Williams Colormix Forecast 2026, Anthology: Volume Two. Wadden says that Universal Khaki SW 6150 is one of those rare neutrals that plays well with just about everything.

“It’s incredibly versatile, which makes it a natural fit with both warm and cool tones,” Wadden notes. “I especially love pairing it with crisp whites like White Snow SW 9541 for a clean, elevated look. For a softer, layered feel, Cream and Sugar SW 9507 and Limestone SW 9599 bring warmth and subtle elegance. If you’re looking to add depth, rich earth tones like Henna Shade SW 6326 or Dark Auburn SW 6034 offer a beautiful contrast that still feels grounded. These combinations really showcase Universal Khaki’s ability to anchor a space while letting other colors shine.”

Universal Khaki SW 6150 is available at neighborhood Sherwin-Williams stores nationwide or online. The entire HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams product line— including Infinity, Everlast and Cabinet & Furniture paints—can be tinted to Universal Khaki (HGSW6150) and Lowe’ stores nationwide.