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For many people who has spent years renting, staring at the same standard-issue beige walls and dreaming of injecting personal style 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 white as its premier hue.

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a symbol of tranquility in a society re-evaluating the value of quiet reflection".

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

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a mindset" and embodies a collective urge to decelerate, reset and achieve serenity after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some critics have branded the decision as "insensitive", suggesting that elevating minimalist and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the smaller, messier homes everyday individuals occupy.

Additional critics contend that framing white as an ideal risks racial undertones, causing discomfort during ongoing societal discussions about inclusion and diversity.

Clinical or Calm?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, noting that white holds cultural undertones and is seldom a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, shaped by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to symbolize "affluence, control and removal from chaos".

He clarifies that white is "not intended to inspire but being careful not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, virtuous simplicity and the idea that impartiality equals goodness".

Beaumont references the global health crisis as a turning point in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our workspaces, refuges and sources of stability," he says, stating that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness seems rather tone-deaf".

Instead of offering calm, he contends white now risks amplifying "a feeling of emptiness", especially when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

An interior designer, a UK-based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

Although it may work in highly minimal or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom create calm in everyday living spaces.

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

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit hospital vibes."

She continues that "homes should spark joy and feel warm and welcoming, and this hue feels quite distant 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 selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that seems intentional and adaptable".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has become a significant industry signal.

Previous selections have included the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These colours extend beyond style predictions - they show up in fashion collections, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping 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 basic, "this particular shade feels gentle and refined 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 "bedrooms and living areas where you want a serene, calming atmosphere".

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

Design expert Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally 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 curved entries which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

In fashion, 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 accustomed to vibrant colors.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says elevating white feels "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a shift towards sophistication after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to concentrate on form, proportion and quality, there's really no room for error," she explains.

But she adds that it also carries presumptions around self-image, way of life and advantage, saying: "If white is treated as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

She says the industry is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an ideal, particularly amid ongoing conversations about representation and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Another expert concedes the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury