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For anyone who has spent a long time renting, confronted by the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and yearning for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might seem like a disappointing choice.

This time around, the influential color company has chosen white as its premier hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "lofty" and "billowy" which "functions as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the importance of introspection".

It signifies the first time white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a mindset" and reflects a shared urge to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have dubbed the decision as "insensitive", arguing that elevating minimalist and immaculate white spaces can feel disconnected from the more compact, lived-in homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Others propose that presenting white as aspirational carries subtext related to race, landing uncomfortably within current political and cultural discussions about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Interior expert Chris Beaumont says the backlash transcends aesthetics, arguing that white holds deeper meanings and is rarely a innocuous choice.

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

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

Beaumont references the global health crisis as a defining period in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our workspaces, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness feels rather disconnected".

Instead of offering calm, he argues white now risks heightening "a sense of emptiness", especially when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

Lara Clark, a Surrey 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 extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom create calm in everyday living spaces.

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

"The color white may seem harsh and demanding and you don't want your home to give clinical feelings."

She continues that "homes should elicit happiness and feel inviting and welcoming, and this hue seems quite removed 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 personality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels deliberate and versatile".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a powerful industry signal.

Past choices have included the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.

These hues don't just live on trend forecasts - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, product wrapping and even technology, influencing how products are sold and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may seem simple, "this specific hue seems gentle and elegant rather than severe".

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

"Should you prefer not to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and curtains."

Interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz 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 "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, noting that white can work particularly well as a background for design features like wall molding and curved entries which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

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

Fashion consultant A styling expert says championing white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a movement towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and those who wear it alike to concentrate on form, scale and quality, there's really no room for error," she explains.

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

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, particularly during ongoing conversations about representation and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "companies engage with that nuance honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Another expert concedes the choice initially shocked her, given Pantone's history of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a genuine shift and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury