Universal Khaki | Sherwin Williams Color of the Year 2026 Paint Color Review + How to Use It!
Universal Khaki Sherwin Williams SW6150
Sherwin Williams just announced their 2026 Color of the Year to be ….. Universal Khaki 6150. You could say that Sherwin Williams surprised the design world with naming a neutral for their color of the year. After all, we went through two decades of neutrals and it was with a fresh of breath air, that we started to embrace color again!!! But now, we’re back to a neutral with a twist….
What’s Is Universal Khaki’s LRV?
Universal Khaki’s LRV (Light Reflective Value) is 40 is a mid-tone. A 40 LRV makes it richer than the traditional neutrals that we have seen from the past couple of decades. You could say that Sherwin Williams is still embracing the darker trend that we have seen in the past color of years, and combining it with a neutral.
Depending on how much light this room gets, it could appear a bit dingy. But with the right lighting and color pairings, this color could look amazing in MOST rooms
Read: What is LRV + How do I pick a paint color for my house?
What are Universal Khaki’s Undertones?
Sherwin Williams describes this color as an earthly and timeless mid-tone tan.
Is Universal Khaki a warm or cool color?
Universal Khaki is definitely a warm earthy color.
Where can I use Sherwin Williams Universal Khaki?
Sherwin Williams Universal Khaki in the Living Room
Universal Khaki is a warm & inviting neutral that you could use ALMOST everywhere. I can definitely see it in an living room.
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Universal Khaki looks warm and inviting in this living room above. Look how distinguished it looks with the white and cream accessories of the fireplace, curtains and furniture. Don’t you just LOVE the accent table?
Can you use Universal Khaki in an open concept space?
Photo: Gonyea Custom Homes, Courtesy of Houzz
Yes & no. It depends on your home’s design style and how dark you want your space to be. In the photo above, the entire main floor was painted using Universal Khaki. The color suits the traditional style of decor this home has and the earthly colors showcases the furniture in a positive way.
However, with an LRV of 40, you may get tired of an entire space this color. You may be better off in picking a room or two to use this color. As I tell my clients, its a matter of personal preference and your design style.
Using this color in a hallway or in an open concept area, would be like color drenching your home. Color drenching is using one color for the walls, trim and ceiling. We can’t see the ceiling in the Sherwin Williams living room pic, but we can see that the wall and trim are definitely the one color.
Read: What is Color Drenching & 4 Tips You Need to Know before you start!
Sherwin Williams Universal Khaki in the Dining Room
Picture: Sherwin Williams
Universal Khaki would look beautiful in any style of dining room. I can see it specifically, working well in modern farmhouse, modern coastal and modern cottage styled dining rooms.
Universal Khaki in the Bedroom & Office
I could definitely see Universal Khaki in an office. Its warm, inviting and neutral enough that would keep you working in a cozy environment.
Personally, I find this color too muted for a bedroom. However, neutral lovers would love this color as a backdrop where you can accessorize the room with dramatic colors.
Is Universal Khaki a good color for a Kitchen?
For me, using Universal Khaki in a kitchen would depend alot on the design style, and the kitchen cabinets. One challenge using this color is the lighting. You need a well lit kitchen that gets alot of natural light otherwise your kitchen could appear dingy when there is very little or no outside natural light shining from outside.
In the picture above, this kitchen could feel dingy at times when its cloudy or dark outside. Personally, I think there are alot of other choices that would be more suitable for a kitchen than this one. Obviously Sherwin Williams disagrees with me since they have this color pictured in a kitchen. Who am I to argue with Sherwin Williams? lol That would be insane!
Photo: Powell Construction, via Houzz
Universal Khaki in a kitchen would work well for a traditional styled home, like above with the white cabinets. The two colors create a lovely contrast and create a warm & cozy kitchen.
Is Universal Khaki a good color for a bathroom?
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Absolutely Universal Khaki would work in a bathroom. See how lovely the color pops against the stark white doors, trim and white counter top? The color works well with the red orange vanity. This color works best with darker vanities or a pure white vanity. Pairing Universal Khaki with tan or greige vanities would compete with the color and clash.
Is Universal Khaki a good color as an exterior paint color?
Photo: Sherwin Williams
Without a doubt this would be a great color for an exterior as the body, trim or garage depending that coordinates with the exterior’s fixed elements.
What white trim goes with Universal Khaki?
Universal Khaki is a warm paint color. Typically you pair warm white trim colors with a warm paint color, but we can see from the above pictures, how stunning Universal Khaki can look with a cool crisp white. Check out the whites listed below would to find a great warm or cool white color for the trim, doors and ceilings.
Read: The Best White Paint Colors for your Doors & Trim
So what room or rooms are you going to paint with Sherwin Williams Universal Khaki?
Need some color or design guidance?
Perhaps your trying to pick a color for your bedroom, living room or open concept area.
You have some ideas but you’re just not sure which way to go. I can help you with that!
I help busy homeowners, just like you, to style their house to make it a stunning retreat, where they can live and enjoy their home.
Check out my online e-design + color consults here
Hi! I’m Debi Collinson. Designer. Color Consultant & Real Estate Investor.
I conducted my first color consult at the age of 7, for my father for one of his design | build projects. I’m an Interior Designer, a Double-Certified Paint Color Expert, with advanced training in kitchens + bathrooms!
Since 2006, I have helped hundreds of clients, just like you, to style their house to make it a stunning retreat, that is functional for the family AND that they love and enjoy their home. In 2020, I moved my design business online.
I have successfully flipped 9 houses and am currently updating our date 1950’s river house in my spare time lol.
