Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams team up for the first time to unveil the Sherwin-Williams’s 2026 Color of the Year: Universal Khaki. An earthy and timeless mid-tone tan with a slight yellow undertone, the color channels a return to fundamentals—revealing a new era of functionality and practicality.
Universal Khaki does double duty, being “more than just a neutral,” says Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. ”It’s a timeless, go-anywhere shade that brings a sense of grounded elegance to any space.”
Using Universal Khaki
Part of a 10-shade, nature-inspired Color Collection, Universal Khaki pairs beautifully with materials like wood and stone, adapting seamlessly to both bold and minimalist palettes.
This nature-inspired color leans into warmth, creating spaces that feel inviting, calm, and sophisticated. Incorporate this shade on your 5th wall for layered elegance.
By blending organic textures, and subtle neutrals, you can transform your space into a tranquil Mediterranean retreat. Universal Khaki Microcement is the perfect medium to create a modern bathroom that feels light year’s away from the heavy-handed Mediterranean style of the late 90s/early 00s.
Universal Khaki has a subtle green undertone. That means in cool light (like north-facing rooms) you may see a whisper of sage or taupe. In warm light (south- or west-facing rooms), it shifts more golden beige.
Pro tip: Pair Universal Khaki with accents that balance the undertone: cool blues and whites to calm its warmth, or terra-cottas and blushes to warm up its cooler side.