We spoke with the color experts at Sherwin-Williams to learn how paint pros can put this foundational neutral to work for their customers.
Universal Khaki (SW 6150) is an essential neutral for homeowners seeking timeless, sophisticated simplicity. And for the contractor who takes a little time to learn about it, this 2026 Color of the Year can also be one of the best tools in your toolbelt.
While Universal Khaki is as trendy as every Color of the Year, the secret strength of this year’s color is its exceptional versatility. It pairs well with just about any color and will look good in almost any situation. That makes it easier than ever for you to recommend it – and by doing so, break through the color indecision for your customers and get to work faster.
How it was chosen
The Color of the Year is chosen by the Sherwin-Williams Consumer Trendsight team during their annual meeting. This team of global design professionals pays attention to international trends in color – where it’s been in the pastand where it’s moving in the future – to always stay ahead of the curve.
“Ten years ago, it was all about gray,” says Ashley Banbury, Color Marketing Manager for Sherwin-Williams. But the team found that’s beginning to change. “Now we’re seeing a shift to the warmer tones, as people want to bring those colors back in.”
The team eventually settled on Universal Khaki, a midtone neutral with a slight yellow undertone.
“People love Universal Khaki because it feels modern and fresh, but also very familiar and comfortable at the same time,” says Banbury. “It’s a color that reminds you of the ’90s and more nostalgic times. It’s warm and comforting, while also being a great foundational neutral for any home.”
Why your customers will love it
Some pros can feel uncomfortable discussing color with customers. Perhaps you’re in that same boat. You’d prefer if homeowners didn’t ask your opinion about color; just point you at a wall and let you start painting. But you don’t have to think of yourself as a “color expert” to discuss Color of the Year or provide value to your clients.
“It’s a great way to guide your customers in the color selection process,” Banbury says. “If you know that Universal Khaki is the Color of the Year and can mention that – and provide some guidance on how or where to use it – that’s going to be very helpful in helping the customer pick their color faster.”
Though you may not have strong feelings about color, a homeowner who feels confident in their color choice will lock in their decision faster. That lets you and your team get to work, stay productive and move on to the next job sooner – a win-win for both you and your customer.
“When you recommend Universal Khaki to a homeowner, you’re recommending a timeless color that has longevity,” Banbury says. “It’s something that will work with any color and with any style. It’s not going to go out of fashion in five years. Your customer won’t have to constantly repaint it to make it feel fresh. It’s a color that will make their home look great for a long time.”
When and where to recommend
As a neutral, Universal Khaki pairs well with just about everything, so there are no wrong answers. But there are situations where it’s an especially great fit:
- Transitional/connected spaces: Banbury says Universal Khaki is a perfect choice for entryways, transitional spaces or open floor plans. “It’s a great color to connect different spaces in the home. If you have your living room painted Universal Khaki, then you can bring that into the kitchen by also painting the cabinets in that color, and just like that, you connect two spaces easily.”
- Paired with accents: Universal Khaki is a good base or foundation color for a room that will have a strong accent wall or feature. Banbury says, “If you have Universal Khaki as a backdrop, then somebody can bring in a really great accent – like a green or dark red – and that will pair beautifully. It works with so many different colors, so it’sa great choice for that.”
- High-traffic areas: Is your customer concerned about scuffs, scratches or smudges in places like the kitchen, hallways or children’s bedrooms? Universal Khaki is a great option for high-traffic areas, due to its dirt-masking ability and versatility with finishes.
Coordinating with the Color of the Year
One of the best parts about Universal Khaki is that it goes with just about any color. The color experts at Sherwin-Williams recommend pairing Universal Khaki with any of these richly varied colors from the 2026 Colormix® Forecast:
©2025 Fusable. Ashley Banbury was interviewed by PPC associate editor Taylor Berglund. Photography courtesy Sherwin-Williams.
