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For those who has spent years renting, staring at the same standard-issue magnolia walls and longing for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might be perceived as a disappointing choice.

This time around, the renowned color company has designated white as its flagship hue.

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-evaluating the importance of stillness".

It marks the initial instance white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a state of being" and signifies a collective desire to slow down, reset and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "out of touch", suggesting that elevating sparse and immaculate white spaces can feel far removed from the smaller, messier homes everyday individuals occupy.

Others argue that framing white as aspirational carries racial undertones, landing uncomfortably within continuing political and cultural conversations about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the counter-reaction transcends surface appeal, noting that white carries societal connotations and is seldom a innocuous choice.

"White is a signal," he says, shaped by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors – most famously Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to symbolize "wealth, order and distance from disorder".

He elaborates that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer representing "restraint, virtuous simplicity and the notion that neutrality denotes goodness".

Beaumont points to the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.

"Overnight they became our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, stating that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness feels rather tone-deaf".

Rather than providing calm, he contends white now risks heightening "a sense of desolation", especially when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

Lara Clark, a UK-based design expert, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

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

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

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you don't want your home to emit clinical feelings."

She adds that "homes should spark joy and be warm and lived-in, and this shade seems quite distant from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and adaptable".

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

Previous selections have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the energy 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 appear in fashion collections, beauty launches, home decor, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers envision the year ahead.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may seem simple, "this particular shade seems gentle and refined rather than severe".

In contrast to those who say the colour is boring, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and living areas where you want a peaceful, restful ambiance".

"Even if you prefer not to repaint, 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 "fundamentally the lack of pigment", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its benefits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for design features like panelling and curved entries which is a "growing trend in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a basic 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 championing white feels "not focused on newness and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

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

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around self-image, way of life and privilege, saying: "If white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, especially during continuing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the real test will be whether "companies address that complexity honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice initially shocked her, given Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it mirrors a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury