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For those who has spent a long time renting, confronted by the same standard-issue magnolia walls and dreaming of 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 selected a shade of white as its flagship hue.

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the importance of introspection".

It marks the first time white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a mindset" and signifies a collective desire to slow down, recalibrate and achieve serenity after years of visual overload.

But some commentators have dubbed the decision as "Pantonedeaf", arguing that elevating sparse and pristine white spaces can seem far removed from the smaller, lived-in homes most people occupy.

Additional critics contend that framing white as aspirational introduces racial undertones, landing uncomfortably within continuing societal discussions about race and representation.

Clinical or Calm?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the counter-reaction goes beyond surface appeal, stating that white bears societal connotations and is rarely a neutral choice.

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

He elaborates that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer representing "austerity, moral minimalism and the concept that neutrality signifies goodness".

The designer references the pandemic as a turning point in how people perceive their homes.

"Overnight they became our workspaces, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness feels rather out of step".

Instead of offering calm, he believes white now risks heightening "a sense of emptiness", particularly when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

Lara Clark, a UK-based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although it may suit extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely create calm in everyday living spaces.

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

"White can feel stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to give a medical atmosphere."

She adds that "homes should elicit happiness and feel inviting and lived-in, and this shade feels quite distant from that."

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to express individuality.

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

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

Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and most recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues don't just live on style predictions - they appear in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers envision the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may seem simple, "this particular shade seems gentle and refined rather than stark".

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

"Should you don't want to repaint, you can incorporate the colour into a room with cushions, blankets and drapes."

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 vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it 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 arched doorways which is a "rising style in contemporary houses".

In apparel, white has long been a staple rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers more familiar with vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant A styling expert says championing white seems "less about novelty and more about intention", reflecting a movement towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to concentrate on form, scale and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she continues that it also carries assumptions around body confidence, way of life and privilege, stating: "When white is treated as something only a limited subset of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the problematic connotations tied to lauding white as an aspirational standard, especially during continuing discussions about representation and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Style consultant Another expert concedes the choice at first shocked her, considering Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a genuine shift and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury