Color of the Year Race Kicked Off by Sherwin-Williams

The paint company made its color prediction, the first of what is likely to be a long series of forecasts through the remainder of the year.

The color-of-the-year prediction process has become a staple of the forecasting season in the last quarter of the year, giving builders and interior designers some direction—however contradictory these predictions might end up being—for projects for the coming year.

It’s generally conceded that Pantone, the color guidance and trending organization, started it all off in 1999 when it made its first prediction (it was cerulean in case you don’t remember) and the process has exploded every year since.

Sherwin-Williams, working with its paint license HGTV Home, looks like it is the first one out of the gate this year with its forecast of Universal Khaki as its choice for 2026. It describes the shade as “warm and grounded,” adding “the neutral hue encapsulates simplicity and timeless appeal with an understated elegance and everyday versatility.”

“Khaki is more than just a neutral—it’s a timeless, go-anywhere shade that brings a sense of grounded elegance to any space,” said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. “Universal khaki effortlessly complements a wide range of colors, creating a rich, inviting backdrop that can transform an entire design with quiet confidence.”

Universal Khaki is SW 6150 if you need the exact number and is part of Sherwin-Williams’ “Honest Essentials” palette, which includes 10 hues that the company describes as “a variety of earthy yet bold combinations.” “The Honest Essentials collection is a reflection of consumer desire for clean lines, minimalist decor and a more intentional approach to design and life,” says Ashley Banbury, color marketing manager of HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams. “Honest Essentials represents a new era where purpose and simplicity are the ultimate luxuries.”

Image: Sherwin-Williams

BACK TO NEWS