🔗 Share this article

For those who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same landlord-approved beige walls and dreaming of adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year might seem like a disappointing choice.

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

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "billowy" which "acts as a symbol of tranquility in a society re-learning the worth of stillness".

It represents the first time a pure white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a mindset" and reflects a widespread yearning to slow down, reset and achieve serenity after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some detractors have dubbed the decision as "insensitive", suggesting that promoting minimalist and pristine white spaces can feel disconnected from the more compact, messier homes the majority call home.

Some observers argue that positioning white as an ideal carries subtext related to race, creating unease during continuing political and cultural conversations about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer One design critic says the criticism transcends surface appeal, stating that white bears 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 austere home – that came to symbolize "affluence, control and removal from disorder".

He explains that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "austerity, virtuous simplicity and the notion that impartiality denotes virtue".

The designer cites the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people interact with their homes.

"Almost instantly they transformed into our offices, refuges and emotional anchors," he says, stating that against this backdrop, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness seems rather disconnected".

Instead of providing calm, he argues white now risks heightening "a sense of desolation", particularly when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

An interior designer, a UK-based interior designer, 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 pure white shades rarely foster calm in real homes.

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

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit a medical atmosphere."

She continues that "homes should elicit happiness and feel warm and lived-in, and this shade seems quite distant from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to showcase personality.

The vice president 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, offering a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and versatile".

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

Previous selections have included the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and most recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues don't just live on trend forecasts - they appear in fashion collections, beauty launches, interiors, product wrapping and even technology, shaping how products are sold and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

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

Contrary to those who say the colour is dull, the expert sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, restful atmosphere".

"Even if you prefer not to repaint, you can introduce 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 nobody's favourite".

He can see its benefits, noting that white can work particularly well as a background for architectural details like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "rising style in modern homes".

In apparel, 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 familiar with vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant A styling expert says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

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

But she continues that it also carries presumptions around body confidence, way of life and privilege, saying: "If white is treated as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to celebrating white as an ideal, especially amid continuing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the real test will be whether "companies address that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Stylist Katie Malik concedes the choice at first surprised her, considering Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury