Sherwin-Williams’ 2026 Color of the Year: Universal Khaki — A Grounded Neutral for Modern Interiors

PublishedSep 24, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

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While khaki garments may remain in the back of the closet, the color itself deserves serious consideration for interior walls.Sherwin-WilliamsandHGTV Home by Sherwin-Williamsjust revealed their joint 2026 Color of the Year:Universal Khaki, a selection that builds a compelling case for the return of 1990s-inspired warmth in home design.

At their annual color trend meeting each November, the creative teams at both paint brands determined that utility is the defining sensibility: Carhartt jackets have become fashion staples andstainless steelis emerging as a kitchen cabinet finish. What could be more honest and essential than a solid shade of beige?

Universal Khaki — Sherwin-Williams

This is not the light-brown hue commonly associated with builder-grade living rooms. Universal Khaki’s cool green undertones lend it a distinctive freshness. “Beige can be kind of wimpy, but this has some heft,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams.

What to Pair with It

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Secret Garden — HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Creamy — HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Cordovan — HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Lemon Chiffon — HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams

Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager at HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, has invested considerable thought into this—she helped curate the 2026 Color Collection of the Year, an assortment of 10 coordinating hues. Mossy green, deep red, butter yellow, creamy white, and dark brown are among the recommended pairings with Universal Khaki. “It’s a beautiful foundational neutral you can build off of with any color,” says Banbury.

Where to Use It

Unsure where to begin? Wadden’s recommendation is to make a bold statement with kitchen cabinets. “Everyone knows what white cabinets look like and they’ve certainly seen gray,” she says. For an open-concept living space, Banbury suggests this soft shade works wonders as a unifying wall color (and she also recommends it for bedrooms and exteriors). “Sometimes color doesn’t have to lead. It can be the harmony in the background that brings it all together. That’s our take for 2026,” says Wadden.

How to Achieve the Look

Here are several inspired applications of similar khaki shades in residential settings.

While black remains the default forfront doors, a soothing shade of sand offers a distinctive and refined alternative—as demonstrated in this San Francisco home.

Apply Universal Khaki acrossallwalls for a enveloping effect. The result feels anything but monotonous when supported by textural elements—designerKate Markeremployed paneling in this cottage to add depth and dimension.

Let this 2026 forecast inspire considered furniture investments. The pairing of aNordic Knots rugwith fluffy shearling chairs demonstrates howPetra Tungardenfully embraced the earth-tone palette for a refined, textured living space.

Lydia Geisel

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.

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