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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 feel like a direct affront.

This year, the renowned color company has designated white as its premier hue.

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "functions as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value 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.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a state of being" and signifies a widespread desire to slow down, recalibrate and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "out of touch", contending that promoting minimalist and immaculate white spaces can seem distant from the smaller, lived-in homes everyday individuals call home.

Others contend that presenting white as an ideal carries subtext related to race, creating unease amid current political and cultural dialogues about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond surface appeal, stating that white bears cultural undertones and is seldom a innocuous choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most famously Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to represent "wealth, order and removal from chaos".

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

Beaumont references the pandemic as a defining period in how people perceive their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our workspaces, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness feels rather tone-deaf".

Rather than providing calm, he believes white now risks amplifying "a sense of emptiness", particularly when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

An interior designer, a Surrey based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived 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 everyday living spaces.

"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can easily feel sterile at home," she explains.

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to give a medical atmosphere."

She adds that "living spaces should elicit happiness and be warm and lived-in, and this hue feels quite removed from that."

Beaumont expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "unabashed joyful interior design", using colour to express individuality.

A representative 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 refined neutrality that seems intentional and versatile".

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

Previous selections have included the hopefulness of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in fashion collections, beauty launches, home decor, product wrapping and even technology, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may seem simple, "this specific hue seems soft and refined rather than severe".

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, calming ambiance".

"Even if you prefer not to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Design expert James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally the lack of pigment", 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 particularly well as a background for design features like wall molding and curved entries which is a "growing trend in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a basic rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a unique test to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist A styling expert says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", indicating a shift towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to focus on shape, scale and quality, there's really no room for error," she clarifies.

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

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, especially amid continuing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice at first surprised her, given Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury