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For anyone who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might feel like a direct affront.

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

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "airy" which "functions as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-evaluating the worth of introspection".

It represents the initial instance white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a mindset" and reflects a shared urge to slow down, recalibrate and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "Pantonedeaf", arguing that elevating minimalist and pristine white spaces can feel far removed from the more compact, messier homes most people occupy.

Others contend that framing white as an ideal introduces racial undertones, landing uncomfortably within current societal conversations about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Interior expert One design critic says the backlash goes beyond surface appeal, noting that white carries cultural undertones and is rarely a neutral choice.

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

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

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

"Suddenly they became our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness feels rather disconnected".

Rather than offering calm, he believes white now threatens to amplifying "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

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 work in highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in everyday living spaces.

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

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

She continues that "homes should spark joy and feel inviting and welcoming, and this hue feels quite removed from that."

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "unabashed joyful interior design", using colour to express individuality.

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 "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and adaptable".

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

Past choices have included the hopefulness of Living Coral, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in clothing lines, beauty launches, home decor, packaging and even technology, 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 severe".

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

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, 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 pick 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 benefits, explaining that white can work particularly well as a backdrop for design features like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "rising style 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 different challenge 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 those who wear it alike to concentrate on shape, scale and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around body confidence, lifestyle and privilege, stating: "If white is treated as something only a limited subset of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, especially amid continuing discussions about representation and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "companies engage with that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Another expert admits the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury