For many people who has spent years living in rental properties, staring at the same standard-issue beige walls and yearning for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might be perceived as a direct affront.
This year, the renowned color company has chosen white as its premier hue.
More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "elevated" and "billowy" which "serves as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-evaluating the worth of introspection".
It signifies the first time white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.
As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a state of being" and embodies a collective desire to slow down, recalibrate and achieve serenity after years of aesthetic chaos.
But some critics have labelled the decision as "insensitive", arguing that elevating sparse and immaculate white spaces can seem disconnected from the smaller, messier homes most people call home.
Some observers contend that framing white as aspirational risks subtext related to race, landing uncomfortably amid current societal discussions about race and representation.
Designer One design critic says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, noting that white carries societal connotations and is rarely a neutral choice.
"White is a signal," he says, shaped by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to symbolize "affluence, control and removal from disorder".
He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer personifying "restraint, virtuous simplicity and the concept that impartiality equals goodness".
The designer cites the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.
"Suddenly they transformed into our workspaces, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, stating that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness feels rather out of step".
Rather than offering calm, he contends white now risks amplifying "a sense of bleakness", especially when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.
Lara Clark, a UK-based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".
While it may suit extremely sparse or architectural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely foster calm in real homes.
"What looks serene in a professional photo can easily feel sterile at home," she explains.
"White can feel stark and unforgiving and you don't want your home to give a medical atmosphere."
She continues that "homes should spark joy and feel warm and lived-in, and this shade seems quite removed from that."
The critic hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale joyful interior design", using colour to showcase personality.
The vice president 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, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and versatile".
Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a significant industry signal.
Past choices have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.
These hues don't just live on trend forecasts - they appear in fashion collections, beauty launches, home decor, packaging and even technology, shaping how products are sold and how consumers imagine the coming year.
Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may seem simple, "this specific hue seems soft and elegant rather than severe".
Contrary to those who say the colour is dull, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, calming ambiance".
"Even if you don't want to redecorate, you can introduce the colour into a room with pillows, throws and curtains."
Interior designer Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it but it's not a top choice".
He can see its merits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for design features 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 bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a unique test to designers more familiar with bold shades.
Luxury stylist A styling expert says championing white feels "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a movement towards refinement after years of fad saturation.
"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.
But she adds that it also holds assumptions around self-image, way of life and privilege, stating: "If white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."
She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an ideal, particularly during continuing conversations about inclusion and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".
Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice at first surprised her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury
Maya Chen is a seasoned tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and cybersecurity.
