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For anyone who has spent years living in rental properties, staring at the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and yearning for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might feel like a disappointing choice.

This time around, the influential color company has designated white as its annual hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "billowy" which "serves as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-evaluating the value of quiet reflection".

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

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and reflects a collective desire to slow down, reset and seek peace after years of visual overload.

But some critics have dubbed the decision as "Pantonedeaf", contending that championing sparse and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, lived-in homes most people call home.

Additional critics argue that framing white as aspirational introduces subtext related to race, creating unease amid continuing societal discussions about inclusion and diversity.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer One design critic says the backlash goes beyond surface appeal, arguing that white bears deeper meanings 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 famously Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to symbolize "affluence, order and distance from disorder".

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

Beaumont points to the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people relate to their homes.

"Suddenly they became our workspaces, refuges and sources of stability," he says, noting that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness feels rather tone-deaf".

Instead of offering calm, he argues white now risks amplifying "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a Surrey based design expert, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

While it may suit extremely sparse or architectural spaces, she says pure white shades seldom create calm in real homes.

"What looks serene in a styled shoot can easily seem clinical at home," she explains.

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

She adds that "living spaces should elicit happiness and be inviting and lived-in, and this shade seems quite distant from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to showcase personality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels intentional and versatile".

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

Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on trend forecasts - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are sold and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear basic, "this specific hue seems gentle and elegant rather than severe".

In contrast to those who say the colour is boring, the expert 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 don't want to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's pick this year was "fundamentally the lack of pigment", it is a bit like a basic flavor, 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 panelling and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a staple rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it poses a unique test to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says championing white seems "less about novelty and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really no room for error," she explains.

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

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an aspirational standard, particularly amid ongoing conversations about representation and accessibility, and the real test will be whether "companies engage with that complexity honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

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