Sherwin-Williams Exterior Colors for 2026
Four Sherwin-Williams colors to consider for your exterior, with a practical way to choose a palette around your home.
Opening photo: U.S. Painting project archive. The exact paint color is not identified.
The best exterior color starts with the house in front of you. The roof above it. The stone beside the entry. The trees that soften the view from the street.
For 2026, Sherwin-Williams has named Universal Khaki SW 6150 its Color of the Year. It offers a warm neutral direction worth exploring. That is an official designation; the four-color shortlist below is our editorial starting point for homeowners, not a manufacturer-approved exterior palette. Sherwin-Williams’ 2026 announcement
Warmth with Universal Khaki
Interior inspiration for a warm khaki palette. Image reference: Pinterest. The exact paint color and original photographer are unconfirmed; sample Universal Khaki outdoors before choosing it for your exterior.
Universal Khaki is a candidate to sample when you want the main body of the house to feel grounded and understated. Consider it beside your stone and roof before choosing the trim.
Our suggestion: begin with a warm neutral body and keep the painted details simple. Let a timber door or an existing brick entry remain part of the composition. You may already have all the accent color you need.
A softer white: Alabaster
Alabaster SW 7008 shown indoors. Photo: @fixitcontracting, via The Mama Handbook. Sample the color outdoors before choosing it for your exterior.
Alabaster SW 7008 is worth comparing when a very bright white feels too sharp. Try it as a possible body or trim color, with the final role decided by the materials around it. Alabaster’s official color page
Our suggestion: put the sample directly beside your window frames. A white that feels gentle alone may look quite different next to an existing white finish. That relationship deserves more attention than the name on the chip.
Green with Evergreen Fog
Evergreen Fog SW 9130 on exterior shutters. Photo: @kristinascollective, via Sherwin-Williams. View the original source.
Evergreen Fog SW 9130 offers a green direction for a quieter exterior. We would start by sampling it near planting beds and any exposed wood. Evergreen Fog’s official color page
Our suggestion: allow the green to carry the larger painted area, then test a restrained trim treatment. A small set of related choices often feels more settled than emphasizing every edge.
Depth with Iron Ore
Iron Ore SW 7069 exterior with Dover White SW 6385 trim. Photo: Solomon Davis, courtesy of Hatcliff Construction, LLC, via Sherwin-Williams. View the original source.
Iron Ore SW 7069 is a charcoal option to consider for a front door or selected detail. Iron Ore’s official color page
Our suggestion: choose the focal point first. Darkening a large garage door creates a different composition from darkening the entry door. Stand back and decide where you want your eye to land.
For vinyl siding, confirm that both the color and coating are approved. Sherwin-Williams provides a specific VinylSafe color system, and siding requirements still matter. VinylSafe guidance
Take the samples outside
Compare large samples beside the fixed materials in morning light, afternoon sun, and shade. Look from the sidewalk as well as close up.
Use sample boards when the sample product is not intended for exterior exposure. Benjamin Moore, for example, says its brush-on color sample can help evaluate exterior color but is not a weather-resistant finish. Color sample instructions
Choose the color that belongs with your home when you see the whole view.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sherwin-Williams’ 2026 Color of the Year?
Universal Khaki SW 6150 is the official selection. The other colors in this article are our editorial suggestions to sample, not an official ranking of the best exterior colors for 2026.
Should every exterior have three paint colors?
No. Two can be enough, especially when brick, stone, or wood already adds variety. Choose the areas you want to emphasize before adding another painted color.
Can I choose a color from a photograph?
Use photographs to find a direction, then check physical samples at home. Light, screens, and surrounding materials change the impression. Captions identify source-reported colors; U.S. Painting archive photos do not identify exact shades.
Should the garage door match the front door?
It can, but it doesn’t have to. If the garage occupies much of the front elevation, a quieter color relationship may let the entry have more presence. Try both arrangements before deciding.
Can I use any dark color on vinyl siding?
Check the siding manufacturer’s requirements and the paint maker’s approved color system first. A color you like may need a different formulation or may not be approved for that siding.
A palette for your home
Bring your favorite shades and the details you want to keep. A thoughtful exterior starts with seeing them together.
U.S. Painting can help you plan the next chapter for your Northern Utah home.