🔗 Share this article

For those who has spent a long time renting, confronted by the same standard-issue beige walls and dreaming of injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might seem like a disappointing choice.

This year, the renowned color company has chosen white as its flagship hue.

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "billowy" which "acts as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the worth of introspection".

It marks the initial instance a pure white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and reflects a shared urge to slow down, reset and seek peace after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some critics have branded the decision as "out of touch", contending that elevating minimalist and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, lived-in homes the majority occupy.

Additional critics contend that presenting white as aspirational introduces subtext related to race, landing uncomfortably amid continuing societal discussions about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, arguing that white bears cultural undertones and is rarely a innocuous choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of minimalist celebrity interiors – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to represent "wealth, control and distance from chaos".

He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, moral minimalism and the concept that neutrality denotes goodness".

The designer cites the global health crisis as a turning point in how people perceive their homes.

"Almost instantly they transformed into our offices, refuges and emotional anchors," he says, adding that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness feels rather out of step".

Rather than offering calm, he argues white now risks intensifying "a feeling of bleakness", particularly when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a UK-based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although it may suit highly minimal or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in everyday living spaces.

"An image of tranquility in a styled shoot can readily feel clinical at home," she explains.

"White can feel harsh and demanding and you don't want your home to give hospital vibes."

She adds that "living spaces should elicit happiness and be inviting and welcoming, and this shade feels quite removed from that."

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed dopamine décor", using colour to express individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "have varied interpretations" to the significance of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and adaptable".

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

Previous selections have featured the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These hues extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in clothing lines, beauty launches, interiors, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the coming year.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may seem basic, "this particular shade seems soft and elegant rather than stark".

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, calming ambiance".

"Even if you prefer not to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and drapes."

Design expert Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for design features like panelling and curved entries which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

In fashion, white has long been a basic rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it poses a different challenge to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says elevating white feels "less about novelty and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, scale and quality, there's really no room for error," she clarifies.

But she continues that it also holds assumptions around self-image, lifestyle and privilege, stating: "When white is treated as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

She says the industry is already cognizant of the problematic connotations associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, especially during ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "companies address that complexity honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Style consultant Katie Malik concedes the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's history of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury