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For anyone who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same standard-issue beige walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might be perceived as a direct affront.

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

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the worth of introspection".

It signifies the first time a pure white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a mindset" and signifies a shared yearning to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some critics have dubbed the decision as "out of touch", contending that promoting sparse and immaculate white spaces can feel distant from the more compact, messier homes the majority occupy.

Additional critics contend that framing white as aspirational introduces racial undertones, creating unease within current societal dialogues about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the backlash transcends aesthetics, noting that white bears cultural undertones and is rarely a innocuous choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to symbolize "affluence, order and removal from chaos".

He explains that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer representing "restraint, moral minimalism and the notion that neutrality denotes virtue".

Beaumont cites the pandemic as a turning point in how people relate to their homes.

"Suddenly they transformed into our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, stating that against this backdrop, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness seems rather out of step".

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

'Hospital Vibes'

An interior designer, a UK-based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

While it may suit highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says pure white shades seldom foster calm in real homes.

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

"The color white may seem harsh and unforgiving and you don't want your home to give a medical atmosphere."

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

Beaumont expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to express individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels intentional and versatile".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has become a powerful trend indicator.

Past choices have included the hopefulness of Living Coral, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even technology, shaping how products are sold and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

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

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and living areas where you want a peaceful, calming atmosphere".

"Should you prefer not to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with pillows, throws and curtains."

Design expert Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "essentially the absence of colour", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "it is universally accepted but it's not a top choice".

He can see its benefits, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a background 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 bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it poses a unique test to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says elevating white feels "less about novelty and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"White forces designers and wearers alike to focus on form, scale and quality, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.

But she adds that it also carries assumptions around self-image, lifestyle and advantage, stating: "If white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the problematic connotations associated with lauding white as an ideal, particularly during ongoing discussions about representation and approachability, and the real test will be whether "brands address that nuance honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Stylist Katie Malik concedes the choice at first surprised her, given Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it reflects a authentic change and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury