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

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

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "airy" which "functions as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of stillness".

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

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and signifies a collective desire to slow down, recalibrate and find calm after years of visual overload.

But some critics have dubbed the decision as "Pantonedeaf", contending that promoting sparse and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, lived-in homes the majority occupy.

Some observers propose that positioning white as aspirational introduces racial undertones, creating unease within continuing political and cultural conversations about race and representation.

Clinical or Calm?

Interior expert One design critic says the counter-reaction goes beyond surface appeal, noting that white carries societal connotations and is seldom a innocuous choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most famously Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to represent "affluence, control and distance from chaos".

He elaborates that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, moral minimalism and the idea that neutrality equals goodness".

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

"Suddenly they transformed into our workspaces, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, noting that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness feels rather disconnected".

Instead of offering calm, he contends white now threatens to heightening "a feeling of desolation", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

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

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

"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can readily feel clinical at home," she clarifies.

"White can feel stark and unforgiving and you don't want your home to emit hospital vibes."

She continues that "living spaces should spark joy and be warm and lived-in, and this shade seems quite removed from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to express individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented 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 seems deliberate and versatile".

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

Past choices have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues don't just live on style predictions - they show up in clothing lines, beauty launches, home decor, packaging and even technology, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

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

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and living areas where you want a peaceful, restful atmosphere".

"Even if you don't want to redecorate, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Design expert Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick this year was "essentially the absence of colour", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, noting that white can work particularly well as a backdrop for design features like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "rising style in contemporary houses".

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

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

"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to concentrate on form, proportion and quality, there's really no room for error," she explains.

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around body confidence, way of life and advantage, saying: "When white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can pull off, it becomes divisive."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones associated with lauding white as an ideal, especially during ongoing discussions about representation and accessibility, and the real test will be whether "brands engage with that complexity authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

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