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For anyone who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same standard-issue beige walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might be perceived as a personal attack.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "lofty" and "billowy" which "serves as a emblem of tranquility in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection".

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

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a state of being" and reflects a widespread yearning to slow down, reset and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some commentators have dubbed the decision as "insensitive", suggesting that promoting minimalist and pristine white spaces can feel far removed from the smaller, messier homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Others propose that presenting white as an ideal risks racial undertones, landing uncomfortably during current political and cultural dialogues about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the counter-reaction goes beyond aesthetics, arguing that white carries deeper meanings and is seldom a neutral choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, shaped by a ten-year period of minimalist celebrity interiors – most famously Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to epitomize "wealth, control and distance from disorder".

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

Beaumont cites the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly 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 disconnected".

Instead of offering calm, he argues white now risks amplifying "a sense of desolation", particularly when combined with cool, clinical lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a Surrey 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 highly minimal or structural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely create calm in real homes.

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

"White can feel stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit clinical feelings."

She adds that "living spaces should spark joy and feel inviting and lived-in, and this hue seems quite removed from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "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 chosen as it "integrates perfectly 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 trend indicator.

Past choices have included the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the vibrancy of a bold pink-red, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on style predictions - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are sold and how consumers imagine the coming year.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear basic, "this particular shade feels gentle and elegant rather than severe".

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and living areas where you want a peaceful, calming atmosphere".

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, 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 pick this year was "fundamentally the absence of colour", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its benefits, noting that white can work particularly well as a backdrop for architectural details like panelling and arched doorways which is a "rising style in contemporary houses".

In apparel, 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 familiar with vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant A styling expert says championing white seems "less about novelty and more about intention", indicating a movement towards refinement after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to focus on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she adds that it also holds presumptions around self-image, lifestyle and advantage, stating: "If white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

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

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Another expert admits the choice at first shocked her, given Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it reflects a genuine shift and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury