A timeless neutral, Universal Khaki sets the stage for 2026, putting simplicity at the forefront of this year’s design trends.
Sherwin-Williams announced their Colour of the Year for 2026 last month, choosing a midtone neutral from their Classic/Complex palette that brings the past, present, and future together with its timeless elegance.
Universal Khaki SW 6150 (207-C3) is a rich taupe colour that has remained a constant throughout history. The word “khaki” dates back to the mid-1800s, coming from the Urdu word meaning “dust-coloured.” Khaki has long been the main colour choice for uniforms of all kinds, has become a staple in everyday fashion, is common in nature, and has come to be associated with comfort. Sherwin-Williams calls Universal Khaki “tailored and timeless”, saying it blends luxury with ecological principles and honours the “beauty of the bare essentials.”
Irwin Homes Design Manager Taylor Bishop said she sees Universal Khaki as a neutral colour meant to build upon and use as a tool in design.
“It’s perfect for using additional colours, textures, and bold furniture pieces to create a warm and inviting space,” she said.
Bishop added the Colour of the Year is essentially a prediction for trends, and gives designers, architects, and homeowners inspiration for their projects. She said Universal Khaki is the perfect colour for just that.
“It’s versatile, adaptable,” she said. “It’s not a colour that requires a ‘design mind’ to use — it’s very user-friendly.”
One of her favourite ways Bishop’s seen Universal Khaki used is to colour drench a bedroom, giving it a calm retreat feel. She added that it’s easy to add bold colours and textures when furnishing to complete the space too. But it’s not just for bedrooms — Sherwin-Williams Colour of the Year for 2026 can be used in any room of your home, and in more than just the walls. Bishop said it can be integrated in accent pillows, throw blankets, chairs, and more, paired with contrasting colours for a focal point. Think of off-white, yellow, terracotta, dark brown, and green-blue.
Sherwin-Williams has also, for the first time, announced a coordinating stain to include in the Colour of the Year palette: Special Walnut. The stain is a simple, true-brown colour that “highlights the unmistakable beauty of wood’s unique, natural grain.” Sherwin-Williams said the tone is on-trend with what they’re seeing for the future of cabinetry and interior millwork too, making 2026 the year of brown’s comeback.
