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For anyone who has spent years 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 seem like a personal attack.

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

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "billowy" which "acts as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the importance of introspection".

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

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a mindset" and embodies a collective yearning to decelerate, reset and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "insensitive", arguing that championing minimalist and immaculate white spaces can feel disconnected from the smaller, lived-in homes the majority inhabit.

Additional critics propose that presenting white as aspirational risks racial undertones, causing discomfort during continuing political and cultural discussions about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer One design critic says the backlash goes beyond surface appeal, noting that white holds deeper meanings and is seldom a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors – most famously Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to represent "wealth, control and removal 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 idea that impartiality equals virtue".

The designer references the pandemic as a defining period in how people perceive their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our offices, refuges and emotional anchors," he says, noting that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness seems rather disconnected".

Rather than offering calm, he believes white now risks intensifying "a feeling of bleakness", especially when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

An interior designer, a Surrey based design expert, agrees 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 structural spaces, she says pure white shades seldom create calm in everyday living spaces.

"An image of tranquility in a styled shoot can easily feel clinical at home," she explains.

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit hospital vibes."

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

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that seems intentional and adaptable".

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

Previous selections have included the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours extend beyond style predictions - they appear in clothing lines, beauty launches, home decor, product wrapping and even technology, influencing how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may appear simple, "this specific hue feels soft and refined 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 living areas where you want a serene, calming ambiance".

"Should you don't want to repaint, you can incorporate the colour into a room with cushions, blankets and drapes."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally the lack of pigment", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "everyone likes it but it's not a top choice".

He can see its benefits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a background for design features like panelling and curved entries which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

In apparel, 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 feels "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a movement towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to focus on shape, scale and quality, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.

But she adds that it also carries presumptions 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 industry is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to celebrating white as an ideal, particularly amid ongoing conversations about inclusion and accessibility, and the real test will be whether "companies address that complexity honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Style consultant Katie Malik concedes the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury