All About Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki (SW 6150), The 2026 Color of the Year

Neutral paint colors have been experiencing a warming trend since the height of the “gray” color obsession in the mid 2010s. It started out with hybrid gray-browns like “greige” and “taupe,” but it seems like the pendulum has officially swung back to the warm side of the color spectrum, because Sherwin Williams recently named its 2026 Color of the Year “Universal Khaki” a perfectly warm neutral without a detectable hint of gray.

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Now, while I do think it feels refreshing to see warm colors everywhere these days, I do also need to admit that I have some lingering tan trauma from the late 90s and early 2000s. For me, tan is one of those colors that can look modern and cozy, but that can also quickly look like a 2000s spec home if not done properly.

So, if you’re considering using Sherwin Williams Universal Khaki this year, keep reading to learn more about the color, and how to use it in a way that’s 2026, instead of 2006.

What color is Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki?

Universal Khaki SW 6150 is a warm, earthy neutral that reads like a softened khaki/tan with a muted, slightly olive-leaning cast in certain lights. This makes it a feel more modern and sophisticated than early 2000s tans (whew!), which tended to lean more pink/orange.

Sherwin-Williams actually classifies it in their yellow family, which tracks with how it warms up a space compared to cooler greiges.

Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki LRV and undertones

LRV (Light Reflectance Value) is a number from 0–100 that tells you how much light a paint color reflects. Higher LRV = brighter/lighter; lower LRV = deeper/darker.

Universal Khaki has an LRV of 40.47. That LRV puts Universal Khaki firmly in the mid-tone range—light enough to work as a main wall color, but deep enough to add noticeable warmth and contrast against whites.

Undertones

Sherwin-Williams describes Universal Khaki as a mid-tone neutral with a slight yellow undertone, which is what gives it its warmth. Many color reviewers also note a yellow-green lean (especially next to very creamy whites or in north-facing light), which is why it can sometimes read a touch “earthier” than a straightforward beige, something I personally love and think makes it seem more modern.

Where and how to use Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki

Like I mentioned earlier, I like tan, but only in certain applications.

I don’t love tan as a whole-home color that goes from great room, to hallway, to staircases and beyond. Especially when paired with bright white trim. To me, this is the 2006 way to do this color.

Instead, my advice it to keep it to a few strategic spots, like rooms with doors and cabinetry, where that mid-tone warmth can shine. I also think the color looks best (and again, most modern) either done in a color-drenched way, or used as a trim or accent itself (i.e. when used on the paneling of the bathroom in the photo above).

Bathrooms & Laundry Rooms

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I love this color for adding personality to small, utilitarian spaces like bathrooms, powder rooms and laundry rooms. Influencer Anna Page used it in her Atlanta laundry room, above, and I think it looks amazing. Note how she color drenched the room and used it on her trimwork, too.

Living Rooms

It’s a good large-space neutral when you want warmth without going orange or pink. Again, note the color-drenched situation happening above.

Bedrooms

The LRV is low enough to feel cozy, but not so low that the room turns heavy. I don’t need to say it again, but we’re color drenching here.

Cabinetry (especially islands or built-ins)

Universal Khaki can read quietly sophisticated on cabinetry when paired with crisp hardware and cleaner whites. I couldn’t find an exact photo of Universal Khaki on kitchen cabinets, aside from the first press image above, but the second photo, from Whittney Parkison design, is a close match.

What colors go with Sherwin-Williams Universal Khaki

Because Universal Khaki is warm (with that yellow/yellow-green bias), it pairs best with clean-but-not-icy whites, olive greens, slate blues, off-blacks and and deep browns.

Here are reliable pairings:

Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008) — soft warm trim white