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For those who has spent a long time renting, staring at the same standard-issue beige walls and dreaming of injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might feel like a direct affront.

This time around, the renowned color company has selected a shade of white as its annual hue.

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "functions as a symbol of tranquility in a society re-learning the worth of introspection".

It marks the first time white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has raised more than a few eyebrows.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and signifies a widespread urge to slow down, reset and find calm after years of sensory saturation.

But some detractors have labelled the decision as "out of touch", arguing that championing minimalist and immaculate white spaces can seem far removed from the more compact, messier homes the majority inhabit.

Some observers propose that presenting white as an ideal risks racial undertones, causing discomfort during ongoing political and cultural dialogues about inclusion and diversity.

Soothing or Stark?

Interior expert One design critic says the counter-reaction transcends aesthetics, stating that white carries cultural undertones and is seldom a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of minimalist celebrity interiors – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to epitomize "affluence, order and distance from disorder".

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

The designer points to the global health crisis as a defining period in how people interact with their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, noting that against this backdrop, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness feels rather out of step".

Instead of offering calm, he argues white now risks intensifying "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when paired with cool, clinical 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".

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

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

"White can feel harsh and demanding and you don't want your home to give clinical feelings."

She adds that "homes should spark joy and feel warm and lived-in, and this hue feels quite removed from that."

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale dopamine décor", using colour to showcase individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a refined neutrality that seems deliberate and adaptable".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a significant trend indicator.

Past choices have featured the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on trend forecasts - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping and even technology, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers envision the coming year.

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

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, restful atmosphere".

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

Design expert James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick this year was "fundamentally the absence of colour", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".

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 basic rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it poses a different challenge to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says championing white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a movement towards sophistication after years of fad saturation.

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

But she adds that it also holds assumptions around body confidence, way of life and advantage, saying: "If 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 problematic connotations associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, especially during ongoing conversations about representation and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "companies engage with that nuance authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice at first shocked her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury