How to Decorate Your Home with 2026 Color Trends
We’re in the end stretch of 2025, and you know what that means – Top paint manufacturers and design companies are announcing their 2026 Color of the Year selections! This year’s trends signal a return to warm, grounding neutrals that create spaces filled with timeless sophistication and natural elegance.
Sherwin-Williams, the industry-leading paint brand used in our new homes in Florida, has named Universal Khaki (SW 6150) as their 2026 Color of the Year. The Trendsight Team at Sherwin-Williams also released the second volume of their Colormix® Forecast, providing carefully curated color palettes that makes it simple to coordinate colors throughout your home.
Interested in learning more about trending colors for the new year? Join us as we explore how to incorporate 2026 color trends into your Florida new home decor!
Sherwin-Williams 2026 Color of the Year
Sherwin-Williams describes Universal Khaki (SW 6150) as a “beautiful balance of livability and longevity.” This mid-tone neutral carries a soft yellow undertone that “embodies the satisfying simplicity at the core of contemporary comfort."
“Universal Khaki is the easygoing neutral that make every room feel pulled together. Its warm, earthy tone works with natural finishes, crisp whites or bold props of color – bringing timeless style to your room,” said Sue Wadden, Director of Color Marketing for Sherwin-Williams.
What makes this color so versatile is its ability to adapt to a variety of interior and exterior design styles. Unlike cooler grays that can feel sterile or stark beiges that may appear dated, Universal Khaki adds a soft glow to your spaces, especially in new Florida homes where natural light plays a starring role in your interior design.
How to Use Universal Khaki in Your Florida New Home Decor
Universal Khaki’s adaptable nature makes it a dream to work with, whether you’re designing an entire home or refreshing a single room. This sophisticated neutral pairs beautifully with a wide range of colors and materials, giving you endless design possibilities.
Sherwin-Williams suggests pairing Universal Khaki with:
- Crisp whites like White Snow for a clean, contemporary look.
- Warm neutrals like Cream and Sugar or Lemon Chiffon for a more monochromatic scheme.
- Deeper neutrals such as Garden Gate or Limestone for dramatic contrast.
- Earthy terracotta pops of color, including Henna Shade and Dark Auburn.
- Dreamy blues, such as Tarragon and Watery.
When it comes to materials and finishes, Universal Khaki shines alongside natural elements - Think warm wood tones, natural stone finishes, and organic textures like linen, jute, and rattan, along with brushed brass or aged bronze accents. For a modern farmhouse aesthetic that's popular in Florida homes, pair this paint color with shiplap, exposed wood beams, and matte black accents.
Create a Welcoming Living Space
Universal Khaki is an exceptional choice to create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your main living area. Paint all four walls in this versatile neutral to create a cohesive backdrop that allows your furniture, artwork, and décor to take center stage.
Pair it with crisp white trim for a clean look, and incorporate natural textures like woven baskets, oak furniture, and soft linens. Add accent pillows or wall art in rich greens or muted terracottas for a cozy, layered feel.
Elevate Your Kitchen Design
Universal Khaki offers a fresh alternative that brings warmth and sophistication to the heart of your home. Use this versatile neutral on kitchen walls to create a backdrop that complements both white or cream-colored cabinets, creating a soft, cohesive look, as well as darker cabinet colors like navy, forest green, or espresso brown.
The color's warm undertones work harmoniously with popular kitchen materials including quartz countertops, subway tile backsplashes, and both tile or luxury vinyl plank flooring. Add in modern fixtures with warm brass, oil-rubbed bronze, or matte black finishes to complete your kitchen's sophisticated aesthetic.
Design a Serene Bedroom Retreat
Transform your bedroom into a peaceful sanctuary by using Universal Khaki on the walls or as an accent feature such as painted shiplap or board-and-batten wall treatments. This calming neutral works wonderfully paired with soothing greens and blues, creating a restful environment that's conducive to quality sleep. Complete the design with warm metallic accents like brass table lamps or gold-framed mirrors to enhance the room's cozy ambiance.
Bring Warmth to Bathrooms
Create a spa-like retreat in your bathroom by incorporating Universal Khaki into your bathroom design, creating a relaxing sanctuary where you can unwind after a long day.
Pair Universal Khaki wall paint with white tile, veined quartz, and brushed gold fixtures for a an elegant style. Complement with natural materials such as wood vanities, woven baskets for storage, and plush towels in coordinating neutrals or soft accent colors. Add greenery with low-maintenance plants that thrive in bathroom humidity, and incorporate ambient lighting to enhance the warm, inviting atmosphere.
Sherwin-Williams’ Colormix® Forecast: Inspiration for Every Style
Sherwin-Williams’ Anthology: Volume Two explores color through four curated palettes. As Sue Wadden explains, “With Sherwin-Williams Anthology Volume Two, we illuminate the evolving narrative of color, tracing its past, capturing its present, and envisioning its transformative path into 2026 and beyond.” Together, these palettes create endless opportunities to personalize your new Florida home with color that feels fresh, grounded, and enduring.
Frosted Tints
Soft, airy, and delicate, the Frosted Tints palette embraces serenity through icy pastels and light-infused hues. Inspired by quiet moments and ethereal beauty, this collection features misty blues, lavender-grays, and cool greens that evoke calm and clarity. It’s a nod to minimalism with a touch of dreamlike sophistication.
Incorporate Frosted Tints in bedrooms, bathrooms, or cozy reading nooks to create tranquil spaces that promote rest and relaxation. Pair these shades with crisp white trim, light neutral woods, or brushed nickel finishes for a refreshing, modern look that enhances Florida’s abundant sunlight.
Sunbaked Hues
Rooted in warmth and connection to nature, the Sunbaked Hues palette radiates energy and confidence. Natural clay, buttery yellow, and warm corals create a grounded, Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere that feels right at home here in Florida.
Use Sunbaked Hues to add personality to your kitchen, dining area, or outdoor living space with accents such as throw pillows and art. Try an accent wall in a sun-kissed terracotta or style your home with woven textures, greenery, and warm metals like bronze or copper to complement these cheerful, nature-inspired tones.
Restorative Darks
The Restorative Darks palette captures sophistication and depth with rich, enveloping hues. Designed to create intimate, moody spaces, these colors blend classic luxury with a sense of calm restoration. Each shade offers a grounding counterpoint to the lighter tones found throughout modern homes.
Introduce this color palette in home offices, dining rooms, or bathrooms for a touch of drama and elegance. Contrast these deeper shades with light furniture, gold accents, or layered textures to achieve a balanced, refined look that feels both cozy and contemporary.
Foundational Neutrals
Timeless and versatile, the Foundational Neutrals palette celebrates simplicity through warm whites, stone grays, taupe-based beiges, and near blacks. These colors form the backbone of modern home design, allowing other textures and accent colors to shine.
Use this color palette for open-concept living spaces, kitchens, and hallways to establish flow and balance. Layer in natural materials like rattan, linen, and oak to enhance texture while maintaining a clean, inviting feel perfect for Florida’s relaxed lifestyle.
More 2026 Colors of the Year
Sherwin-Williams isn’t the only paint company to unveil a 2026 Color of the Year. This year’s selections across the industry reflect a shared focus on comfort, warmth, and organic beauty. Many leading brands are leaning into earthy neutrals, soft greens, and sun-warmed tones that bring a sense of calm balance and connection to nature, perfect for creating inviting spaces in your Florida new home:
- Behr: Hidden Gem, a smoky jade hue
- Dutch Boy: Melodious Ivory, an inviting, creamy beige
- Minwax®: Special Walnut, an earthy, natural stain
- Graham & Brown: Divine Damson, a deep blue-purple
- Glidden: Warm Mahogany, a rich red with brown tones
- Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus, a restful green
- Dunn-Edwards Paint: Midnight Garden, a deep, muted green
- Krylon: Coffee Bean, a rich, earthy brown
A Perfect Match for Your New Home in Florida
Ready to bring 2026’s trending colors to life in your new home? Explore our 2026 Colors of the Year Pinterest Board for endless decorating ideas featuring Universal Khaki and the latest Colormix palettes, and visit our online Inspiration Gallery to see real examples of beautiful Highland Homes interiors.
When you build with Highland Homes, you have the opportunity to personalize every detail of your new Florida home. At the Highland Homes Personal Selection Studio, our professional designers will guide you through our options, helping you choose from a range of included features and luxurious upgrades, along with the perfect Sherwin-Williams colors to complement your style.
Start planning your dream home today by browsing our Florida new home communities, then connect with a Florida New Home Specialist to begin your journey to a home that’s beautifully designed, inside and out.
Tags: Color of the Year Decorating tips Design trends Interior design Paint colors
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