For anyone who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same standard-issue magnolia walls and yearning for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might seem like a disappointing choice.
This year, the renowned color company has selected a shade of white as its premier hue.
More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "elevated" and "airy" which "functions as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the worth of introspection".
It represents the initial instance a pure white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.
As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and signifies a collective desire to slow down, reset and achieve serenity after years of sensory saturation.
But some detractors have labelled the decision as "out of touch", suggesting that championing sparse and immaculate white spaces can feel disconnected from the smaller, lived-in homes everyday individuals inhabit.
Additional critics propose that framing white as aspirational introduces racial undertones, landing uncomfortably within continuing societal discussions about inclusion and diversity.
Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism transcends surface appeal, arguing that white carries societal connotations and is rarely a innocuous choice.
"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most famously Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to represent "wealth, control and removal from disorder".
He elaborates that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, moral minimalism and the concept that neutrality signifies virtue".
The designer cites the global health crisis as a turning point in how people relate to their homes.
"Suddenly they became our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, noting that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness feels rather disconnected".
Rather than providing calm, he argues white now threatens to amplifying "a sense of bleakness", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.
An interior designer, a UK-based interior designer, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".
Although it may suit extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely create calm in everyday living spaces.
"What looks serene in a styled shoot can readily seem sterile at home," she clarifies.
"The color white may seem harsh and unforgiving and you don't want your home to emit clinical feelings."
She adds that "homes should spark joy and be warm and lived-in, and this hue feels quite removed from that."
The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "unabashed dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to showcase personality.
The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a refined neutrality that feels deliberate and adaptable".
Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a powerful trend indicator.
Previous selections have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and most recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.
These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in clothing lines, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.
A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may seem simple, "this particular shade feels gentle and elegant rather than stark".
In contrast to those who say the colour is dull, Robinson sees it as "flexible" 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 incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, throws and drapes."
Design expert Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's selection this year was "essentially the absence of colour", 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 backdrop for architectural details like panelling and curved entries which is a "growing trend in modern homes".
In apparel, 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 familiar with bold shades.
Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says elevating white feels "less about novelty and more about intention", indicating a shift towards sophistication after years of fad saturation.
"The color white compels designers and those who wear it alike to concentrate on form, proportion and quality, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.
But she adds that it also carries presumptions around self-image, way of life and privilege, stating: "When white is treated 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 associated with celebrating white as an ideal, particularly during continuing conversations about representation and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that complexity authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".
Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice at first surprised her, considering Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it reflects a genuine shift and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury
