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For those who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and longing for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's new 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 annual 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 value of introspection".

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

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a mindset" and embodies a widespread yearning to decelerate, reset and achieve serenity after years of sensory saturation.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "out of touch", contending that championing minimalist and pristine white spaces can feel disconnected from the smaller, lived-in homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Some observers argue that positioning white as an ideal risks racial undertones, causing discomfort within ongoing political and cultural conversations about inclusion and diversity.

Clinical or Calm?

Interior expert Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, noting that white bears cultural undertones and is rarely a innocuous choice.

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

He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "austerity, virtuous simplicity and the notion that neutrality signifies virtue".

Beaumont references the pandemic as a turning point in how people perceive their homes.

"Overnight they became our offices, sanctuaries and emotional anchors," he says, stating that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness feels rather out of step".

Instead of providing calm, he believes white now risks heightening "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when combined with cool, clinical lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

An interior designer, a UK-based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although it may suit extremely sparse or architectural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely foster calm in real homes.

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

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

She continues that "homes should elicit happiness and be inviting and lived-in, and this hue seems quite removed from that."

Beaumont expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to express individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that seems intentional and versatile".

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

Past choices have featured the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on style predictions - they show up in fashion collections, beauty launches, interiors, packaging and even technology, shaping how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may appear basic, "this particular shade feels soft and refined rather than stark".

In contrast to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and living areas where you want a serene, calming atmosphere".

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

Design expert Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's selection this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's not a top choice".

He can see its benefits, explaining that white can work particularly well as a background for architectural details like panelling and arched doorways which is a "rising style in modern homes".

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

Fashion consultant Oriona Robb says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a shift towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

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

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

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to celebrating white as an aspirational standard, particularly amid continuing discussions about representation and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Stylist Katie Malik concedes the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury