As design takes on a deliberate approach, blending luxury with ecological principles and nature-inspired colors, experts are predicting a rising wave of aesthetics characterized by simplicity, usability, and materials and finishes that are made to last. 

With this vision of the future, our Trendsight Team has announced the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year for 2026: Universal Khaki SW 6150 (207-C3), a midtone neutral from the Classic/Complex palette in our latest Colormix® Forecast, Anthology Volume Two, that honors the beauty of the bare essentials: timeless functionality, nature-inspired warmth, and lushly layered elegance. From residential to commercial environments—and in every part of the world and all types of coatings—our experts are looking ahead at every exciting possibility this ultra usable hue inspires.

“There’s something enduring about khaki—it bridges the past and the future in a way that feels both familiar and forward-thinking,” says Trendsight Team color strategist and Director of Color Marketing Sue Wadden. “Historically, khaki dates back to the mid-19th century. The name comes from a Persian word meaning ‘dust’ or ‘earth,’ in reference to the color’s nature-based tone.”

Sue points out that utility clothing in an olive, gray, or khaki tone has long been a practical choice of uniform colors throughout history, and by the early 20th century, khaki found its way into everyday fashion, making it a popular choice in workwear, outdoor clothing, and casual wear. It is now widely associated with comfort, craftsmanship, and versatility.

In many ways, a color like khaki is truly universal, with ties to the military, “preppy” styles, rugged aesthetics, and even environmental consciousness. “To me, khaki feels inherently sustainable,” Sue says. “Whether it’s through the use of recycled content in finishes or in biodegradable materials like mycelium, the color reflects a raw, organic sensibility. It feels honest, rooted in nature and material integrity.” This versatile hue’s growing popularity is therefore a perfect parallel to the rise of a new design movement: essentialism, where purpose is paramount and intentionality is everything.

Essentialism is a comprehensive design approach that emphasizes quality and purpose over quantity and accumulation. Unlike minimalism, which focuses on simplicity through reduction and decluttering, the essentialism movement allows for flexibility and expansion, encouraging us to keep anything that serves a purpose or feels especially meaningful.

“Through an essentialist lens, designers can integrate cutting-edge innovations while centering sustainability, and we can honor tradition while embracing modern simplicity,” Sue tells us. By eliminating the unnecessary and prizing the notion of doing or using “less, but better,” essentialism is also an extension of the quiet luxury movement, beautifully acknowledging that luxury looks different for everyone.

“Across Latin America—especially in Brazil—we’re witnessing a shift in what luxury means,” says Patrícia Fecci, Color Marketing Manager of Sherwin-Williams Brazil and member of our Trendsight Team. “It’s no longer about excess. It’s about authenticity, memory, and materials with soul. Universal Khaki fits perfectly into this new narrative.”

Core neutrals are fundamental to this design philosophy—timeless shades known for their longevity and reliability. “Understated and hardworking, warmer neutrals like Universal Khaki blend seamlessly with their counterparts and provide a foundation that sets the tone for an entire design,” adds Sue Wadden. This is why contemporary khakis are found in such a wide variety of settings—and why our experts see it as a color worth reaching for and reinventing again and again.

Sue Wadden expects our Color of the Year will take designs to a new level next year and beyond. “There are a few ways that Universal Khaki will feel distinctly ‘2026,’ and one is pairing understated khaki tones with a more maximalist aesthetic—blending minimal, utilitarian foundations with layered tones and textures, bold patterns, and diverse finishes. There’s also a new wave of industrial-minimalist design coming from Europe, which emphasizes raw materials like concrete and metal softened with warmer tones and tactile elements. Universal Khaki supports a design language that’s eco-conscious without being overtly rustic, pairing effortlessly with both ends of the spectrum to anchor a space or blend into a more expressive palette.”

In commercial design—such as hotels and restaurants, wellness environments, and modern offices—Sue says that Universal Khaki brings a sense of stability, understated sophistication, and a dose of warmth, especially in the current landscape of adaptive-reuse buildings. “It’s ideal for wall finishes, flooring, and branded elements, especially when paired with matte black or brushed bronze for added depth.” 

CMF & Trend Manager for Industrial & Performance Coatings Kiki Redhead reports that her team is excited about the countless industrial applications presented by Universal Khaki and its “instinctive ability to unify.” She says: “We expect to use Universal Khaki everywhere, from tools and vehicles to consumer electronics and medical devices, as well as on decor, indoor and outdoor furniture, metal roofing or siding, light fixtures, appliances, and more. These coatings can be given dimension with sandy tactile textures, speckled powder blends mimicking stone or rock, or mica effects, especially gold flakes, with a smooth satin shimmer. Pairing it with cool grays, silvers, and blacks offers a refreshing take, and mixed metals like anodized and polished gold, brass, copper, and bronze shine next to Universal Khaki.”

Maggie O’Hare, our Global CMF & Trend Manager for Industrial Wood Coatings, also foresees vast potential for this essential hue. “Universal Khaki is unmistakably classic and at the same time forward reaching. It represents traditional values reimagined for today’s color space, breathing new life into this staple hue. I see Universal Khaki flourishing throughout the home, especially as a stain on wood surfaces like millwork, flooring and cabinetry. It’s an approachable and familiar neutral, ideal for layering throughout the space.”

This balanced neutral is resonating in other parts of the world as well, as Patrícia Fecci so beautifully articulates: “There’s a quiet yet powerful movement happening across Latin America: a return to our roots. A reconnection with what’s essential, authentic, and deeply ours. And in the middle of this cultural and aesthetic awakening, one color stands out—not by shouting, but by whispering with depth: Universal Khaki.” 

Patrícia says that this color’s refined neutrality makes it a bridge between global design and local identity. “It’s the kind of color that doesn’t just fill a space—it creates atmosphere. In architecture, Universal Khaki shows up on façades that blend into the landscape, as if they’ve grown from the earth itself. In interior design, it’s found in raw linen upholstery, textured walls, and handcrafted ceramics. And in product design, Latin American brands are embracing the tone in sustainable packaging, certified wood furniture, and accessories made from natural fibers—all with a strong local aesthetic.”

Antonella Ruiz, Marketing Director of Sherwin-Williams Central America, agrees: “The Universal Khaki color represents a solid choice for both interior and exterior design in Latin America due to its versatility, timeless nature, and cultural resonance with regional landscapes and styles. Through its natural and comforting aesthetics, Universal Khaki evokes a connection to the earth, especially when combined with materials such as wood, linen, and leather. In exteriors, this color adapts climatically to the diverse areas of the region, reflecting light without glare and integrating harmoniously with the natural environment.”

Much like Universal Khaki itself, the richly varied color palette selected to coordinate with our Color of the Year is drawn from the 2026 Colormix® Forecast, and its beauty lies in its versatility. Sue Wadden says she envisions countless pairings to achieve a wide range of different moods and aesthetics: “For a warm, desert-inspired softness, Universal Khaki paired with Henna Shade is a combination that feels sunbaked and serene. You can achieve a bold, dramatic look by layering it with Dark Auburn or Tarragon, introducing rich, deep tones that add depth and sophistication. If you’re leaning into a neutral maximalist approach, Universal Khaki balances with White Snow and Cream and Sugar—a clean white and a soft creamy tone that together create a subtle interplay of cool and warm.”

And for the first time ever, our color experts have selected a coordinating Minwax® stain to include in the palette: the Minwax Color of the Year, Special Walnut MW 224. “This is a stunning true-brown stain that speaks to the growing popularity of walnut as the substrate of choice of discerning designers and homeowners alike,” says Maggie O’Hare. “It’s a soft, neutral brown that will highlight the unmistakable beauty of wood’s unique, natural grain. This tone is on trend with what we’re seeing for the future of furniture, cabinetry, and interior millwork as luxurious species and rich brown hues make a triumphant comeback.”

To see this exceptional hue for yourself, order your exclusive Designer Sample Kit, featuring complimentary large-sized samples of Universal Khaki and its coordinating colors, using your PRO+ account.