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For those who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at 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 personal attack.

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

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "elevated" and "airy" which "acts as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the importance of quiet reflection".

It signifies the first time white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and embodies a shared yearning to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some detractors have branded the decision as "insensitive", arguing that promoting sparse and immaculate white spaces can seem distant from the more compact, lived-in homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Additional critics propose that positioning white as aspirational introduces racial undertones, causing discomfort during continuing societal discussions about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, stating that white holds deeper meanings and is rarely a innocuous choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to represent "affluence, order and removal from disorder".

He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer personifying "restraint, moral minimalism and the idea that impartiality denotes goodness".

The designer references the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they transformed into our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, noting that against this backdrop, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness seems rather tone-deaf".

Instead of offering calm, he argues white now risks amplifying "a feeling of desolation", particularly when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

Lara Clark, a Surrey based design expert, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

While it may work in highly minimal or structural spaces, she says pure white shades seldom foster calm in everyday living spaces.

"What looks serene in a professional photo can easily seem clinical at home," she explains.

"White can feel harsh and unforgiving and you don't want your home to give hospital vibes."

She adds that "homes should elicit happiness and feel inviting and lived-in, and this hue seems quite distant from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and versatile".

Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a significant industry signal.

Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and more recently softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues extend beyond style predictions - they show up in clothing lines, beauty launches, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are sold and how consumers envision the coming year.

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".

Contrary to those who say the colour is dull, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and communal spaces where you want a serene, restful atmosphere".

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

Interior designer Another professional says although he was taken aback 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 nobody's favourite".

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

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

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

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

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around body confidence, lifestyle and advantage, stating: "If white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the problematic connotations tied to lauding white as an aspirational standard, particularly during ongoing discussions about representation and approachability, and the real test will be whether "brands engage with that complexity authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Stylist Another expert concedes the choice initially shocked her, considering Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury