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For many people who has spent a long time renting, staring at the same standard-issue beige walls and longing for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year might feel like a personal attack.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "airy" which "functions as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning 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.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a state of being" and signifies a collective yearning to slow down, reset and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "out of touch", contending that championing minimalist and immaculate white spaces can feel distant from the smaller, lived-in homes everyday individuals occupy.

Some observers propose that framing white as aspirational introduces subtext related to race, causing discomfort during ongoing societal discussions about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Interior expert One design critic says the backlash transcends aesthetics, stating that white carries cultural undertones and is rarely a neutral choice.

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

He explains that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "austerity, moral minimalism and the concept that impartiality equals virtue".

Beaumont points to the global health crisis as a turning point in how people perceive their homes.

"Suddenly they became our offices, sanctuaries and emotional anchors," he says, adding that against this backdrop, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness feels rather tone-deaf".

Rather than providing calm, he believes white now threatens to amplifying "a feeling of bleakness", especially when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

Lara Clark, a Surrey based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

Although it may work in extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely foster calm in everyday living spaces.

"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can readily seem sterile at home," she explains.

"White can feel harsh and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit hospital vibes."

She continues that "homes 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 "full-scale joyful interior design", using colour to showcase personality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels deliberate and versatile".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a powerful industry signal.

Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the vibrancy of a bold pink-red, and most recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues don't just live on style predictions - they show up in fashion collections, beauty launches, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the coming year.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may seem simple, "this specific hue seems gentle and refined rather than severe".

In contrast to those who say the colour is dull, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and living areas where you want a serene, calming atmosphere".

"Should you don't want to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and curtains."

Design expert James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's not a top choice".

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

In fashion, white has long been a staple rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers more accustomed to bold shades.

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

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

But she adds that it also carries assumptions around self-image, lifestyle and privilege, saying: "When white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the problematic connotations associated with lauding white as an ideal, especially amid ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the real test will be whether "brands address that nuance authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Stylist Another expert concedes the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury