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For many people who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at the same standard-issue magnolia walls and dreaming of adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year might be perceived as a disappointing choice.

This time around, the renowned color company has designated a shade of white as its flagship hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "elevated" and "airy" which "functions as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the importance of stillness".

It marks the first time white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has raised more than a few eyebrows.

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a philosophy" and embodies a collective yearning to slow down, recalibrate and seek peace after years of visual overload.

But some detractors have labelled the decision as "Pantonedeaf", suggesting that championing minimalist and immaculate white spaces can seem disconnected from the smaller, lived-in homes the majority inhabit.

Others contend that presenting white as aspirational risks subtext related to race, causing discomfort within ongoing societal discussions about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Interior expert One design critic says the counter-reaction transcends surface appeal, noting that white bears societal connotations and is seldom a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, shaped by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors – most famously Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to represent "affluence, control and removal from disorder".

He clarifies that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer personifying "restraint, moral minimalism and the idea that impartiality signifies virtue".

The designer references the pandemic as a defining period in how people interact with their homes.

"Suddenly they transformed into our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that against this backdrop, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness seems rather disconnected".

Rather than offering calm, he argues white now threatens to amplifying "a sense of bleakness", particularly when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

Lara Clark, a UK-based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

While it may work in extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in real homes.

"What looks serene in a styled shoot can readily feel sterile at home," she clarifies.

"White can feel harsh and demanding and you don't want your home to emit a medical atmosphere."

She continues that "living spaces should spark joy and feel inviting and lived-in, and this hue seems quite distant from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale dopamine décor", using colour to express individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was selected as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels deliberate and adaptable".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a significant trend indicator.

Previous selections have included the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of a bold pink-red, and most recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These colours don't just live on style predictions - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers envision the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear simple, "this specific hue feels soft and elegant rather than stark".

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and communal spaces where you want a serene, restful atmosphere".

"Even if you don't want to repaint, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and drapes."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's selection this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it but it's not a top choice".

He can see its benefits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for architectural details like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a basic rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers more familiar with vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant Oriona Robb says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", indicating a shift towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to concentrate on shape, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really no room for error," she explains.

But she adds that it also carries assumptions around self-image, way of life and advantage, stating: "When white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, especially amid continuing conversations about inclusion and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "brands engage with that complexity honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a genuine shift and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury