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

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

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "billowy" which "functions as a emblem of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the value of introspection".

It signifies the initial instance white has been chosen 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 mindset" and signifies a widespread desire to slow down, recalibrate and achieve serenity after years of sensory saturation.

But some commentators have branded the decision as "insensitive", arguing that elevating minimalist and immaculate white spaces can seem distant from the more compact, messier homes the majority call home.

Some observers argue that framing white as an ideal risks racial undertones, creating unease within current political and cultural discussions about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the counter-reaction transcends surface appeal, stating that white holds societal connotations and is rarely a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to represent "affluence, control and removal from chaos".

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

The designer cites the global health crisis as a defining period in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our workspaces, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, noting that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness seems rather disconnected".

Instead of providing calm, he argues white now threatens to amplifying "a sense of bleakness", especially when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

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

Although it may suit highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely create calm in real homes.

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

"White can feel stark and unforgiving and you wouldn't wish your home to give hospital vibes."

She adds that "homes should spark joy and be inviting and lived-in, and this shade feels quite distant from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that seems deliberate and versatile".

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

Previous selections have featured the hopefulness of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and more recently softer, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they show up in clothing lines, beauty launches, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may seem basic, "this particular shade feels soft and elegant rather than stark".

In contrast to those who say the colour is dull, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and living areas where you want a peaceful, calming ambiance".

"Even if you prefer not to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, throws 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 a basic flavor, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for architectural details like wall molding and curved entries which is a "growing trend in modern homes".

In fashion, white has long been a basic rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it poses a unique test to designers more accustomed to vibrant colors.

Luxury stylist A styling expert says elevating white seems "less about novelty and more about intention", indicating a movement towards refinement after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to focus on shape, scale and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around self-image, way of life and privilege, stating: "If white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes divisive."

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, particularly amid ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "companies address that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Katie Malik concedes the choice at first shocked her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a genuine shift and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury