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For those who has spent years renting, confronted by the same landlord-approved beige walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might seem like a disappointing choice.

This year, the influential color company has designated white as its premier hue.

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "lofty" and "airy" which "functions as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the value of quiet reflection".

It represents the initial instance white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has raised more than a few eyebrows.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a state of being" and embodies a collective yearning to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some detractors have branded the decision as "insensitive", suggesting that championing minimalist and pristine white spaces can feel far removed from the smaller, messier homes the majority occupy.

Others argue that framing white as aspirational carries subtext related to race, creating unease during ongoing societal discussions about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer One design critic says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, arguing that white bears societal connotations and is seldom a innocuous choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, shaped by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to symbolize "wealth, control and distance from disorder".

He elaborates that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer personifying "austerity, moral minimalism and the concept that impartiality denotes virtue".

The designer points to the global health crisis as a defining period in how people perceive their homes.

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

Rather than providing calm, he argues white now risks amplifying "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when combined 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".

While it may work in highly minimal or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom create calm in real homes.

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

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

She continues that "living spaces should elicit happiness and be inviting and welcoming, and this shade seems quite removed from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale dopamine décor", using colour 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 chosen 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 significant trend indicator.

Previous selections have featured the hopefulness of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on trend forecasts - they appear in clothing lines, beauty launches, home decor, product wrapping 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 basic, "this particular shade seems gentle and refined rather than stark".

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, calming atmosphere".

"Even if you prefer not to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with cushions, blankets and curtains."

Interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was taken aback that Pantone's pick this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its benefits, explaining that white can work particularly well as a backdrop 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 presents a different challenge to designers more accustomed to bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says championing white seems "less about novelty and more concerned with purpose", indicating a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to concentrate on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really no room for error," she clarifies.

But she continues 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 celebrating white as an aspirational standard, especially amid ongoing discussions about representation and approachability, and the real test will be whether "companies engage with that nuance authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice at first shocked her, given Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury