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For many people who has spent years renting, staring at the same landlord-approved beige walls and yearning for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might seem like a direct affront.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the importance of introspection".

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

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a state of being" and embodies a shared yearning to decelerate, recalibrate and achieve serenity after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some critics have branded the decision as "out of touch", arguing that championing sparse and immaculate white spaces can feel far removed from the smaller, messier homes most people inhabit.

Some observers contend that framing white as an ideal introduces subtext related to race, creating unease within ongoing societal discussions about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

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

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most famously Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to epitomize "affluence, order and distance from disorder".

He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer representing "austerity, moral minimalism and the idea that neutrality equals goodness".

Beaumont references the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they transformed into our offices, sanctuaries and emotional anchors," he says, stating that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness feels rather disconnected".

Rather than providing calm, he contends white now threatens to amplifying "a sense of desolation", particularly when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a UK-based interior designer, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although 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 feel clinical at home," she clarifies.

"White can feel stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit a medical atmosphere."

She continues that "homes should spark joy and be warm and welcoming, and this hue feels quite distant from that."

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

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "have varied interpretations" to the meaning of the colour, but it was selected as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels deliberate and versatile".

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

Previous selections have featured the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and more recently softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues extend beyond style predictions - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, home decor, packaging and even technology, shaping how products are sold and how consumers imagine the coming year.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may seem simple, "this specific hue feels soft and refined 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 living areas where you want a peaceful, calming ambiance".

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and curtains."

Design expert Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick this year was "fundamentally the absence of colour", 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 merits, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for design features like panelling and arched doorways which is a "rising style in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a staple rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it presents a unique test to designers more accustomed to vibrant colors.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says championing white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a movement towards sophistication after years of fad saturation.

"White forces designers and wearers alike to focus on shape, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really no room for error," she explains.

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around self-image, way of life and advantage, stating: "If white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an ideal, especially during continuing discussions about representation and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "companies address that nuance honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice at first surprised her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it mirrors a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury