Three Sherwin-Williams Paint Colors to Watch in 2026
Paint color trends have changed quite a bit over the last several years. For a long time, gray seemed to be everywhere. Then we began seeing warmer whites, creams and natural colors return. In 2026, Sherwin-Williams is continuing that move toward warmer, softer colors that make a home feel comfortable and connected to nature.
If you are thinking about repainting a room, updating your kitchen cabinets, or simply wondering what colors buyers may be seeing more often, here are three Sherwin-Williams colors worth watching this year.
Universal Khaki SW 6150
Sherwin-Williams selected Universal Khaki SW 6150 as its official 2026 Color of the Year.
It is a warm, mid-tone neutral with a slight yellow undertone. Sherwin-Williams describes it as a color that balances livability and longevity, which is one reason I think it may work especially well in homes where owners do not want to repaint every few years.
Universal Khaki pairs well with natural wood, stone, cream, white trim, and many of the earth tones already found in our homes.
For homeowners preparing to sell, this is also an interesting alternative to gray. It gives a room some warmth without demanding all of the attention.
Liveable Green SW 6176
Green still has a place in home design, especially the quieter, muted greens.
Liveable Green SW 6176 has a soft, natural appearance that could work beautifully in a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, or home office. It could also make an attractive cabinet color when paired with warm countertops, wood flooring or simple hardware.
Here in the Upstate, where so many homes are surrounded by woods, mountains, and natural landscapes, green doesn't feel out of place. It can help bring some of those outside colors indoors without becoming overwhelming.
I particularly like colors like this in homes with plenty of natural light.
Sundew SW 7688
If you want something warmer and a little more noticeable, Sundew SW 7688 is another Sherwin-Williams color worth considering.
It brings more personality into a room while still working with many of the earthy finishes homeowners are using today.
Rather than painting an entire house this color, I could see Sundew being used in a dining room, powder room, breakfast area, or as an accent. It could also work well alongside cream, natural wood and warmer neutrals.
Before You Paint
One thing I have learned from years of looking at houses is that paint never looks exactly the same in every home.
Natural light, flooring, countertops, furniture and even the direction the windows face can change how a color appears.
Before committing to several gallons of paint, test your color in the actual room and look at it in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
Paint remains one of the easiest ways to give a home a fresh appearance without undertaking a major renovation.
And if 2026 is any indication, we may finally be seeing the strong gray trend give way to warmer, more natural surroundings.
What do you think? Are you ready for warmer khakis and greens, or are you still holding on to gray?
Sherwin-Williams describes Universal Khaki as a versatile warm neutral that pairs especially well with warm woods, soft whites, and earthy tones. (Tinted)
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