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For many people who has spent years renting, confronted by the same standard-issue magnolia walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might seem like a direct affront.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the worth of quiet reflection".

It marks the first time white has been chosen 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 philosophy" and reflects a collective yearning to slow down, reset and find calm after years of sensory saturation.

But some critics have labelled the decision as "Pantonedeaf", contending that championing sparse and pristine white spaces can feel distant from the more compact, messier homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Additional critics propose that presenting white as an ideal risks subtext related to race, causing discomfort within ongoing political and cultural dialogues about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Interior expert One design critic says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, noting that white holds cultural undertones and is rarely a neutral choice.

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

He clarifies that white is "not intended to inspire but being careful not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, moral minimalism and the concept that neutrality denotes virtue".

Beaumont cites the global health crisis as a defining period in how people perceive their homes.

"Almost instantly they transformed into our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness feels rather disconnected".

Rather than providing calm, he contends white now threatens to amplifying "a sense of desolation", particularly when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

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

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

"An image of tranquility in a styled shoot can readily feel clinical at home," she explains.

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

She adds that "homes should spark joy and feel warm and welcoming, and this shade feels quite removed from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "unabashed dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to express personality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that seems intentional and versatile".

Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a powerful trend indicator.

Past choices have included the hopefulness of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.

These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they show up in fashion collections, beauty launches, home decor, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may appear basic, "this particular shade feels 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 "sleeping quarters and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, calming atmosphere".

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

Design expert Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's pick 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, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a background for architectural details like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

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

Fashion consultant Oriona Robb says elevating white feels "less about novelty and more about intention", indicating a movement towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"White forces designers and wearers alike to focus on shape, scale and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.

But she adds that it also holds presumptions around body confidence, lifestyle and privilege, saying: "When white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, particularly during ongoing discussions about representation and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that complexity honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice initially shocked her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury