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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 chosen a shade of white as its flagship hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "billowy" which "acts as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the importance of stillness".

It signifies the initial instance white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has raised more than a few eyebrows.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a state of being" and signifies a collective urge to decelerate, recalibrate and achieve serenity after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have dubbed the decision as "insensitive", contending that promoting minimalist and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, messier homes most people occupy.

Others propose that presenting white as an ideal introduces racial undertones, causing discomfort amid continuing societal conversations about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer One design critic says the criticism goes beyond aesthetics, noting that white carries deeper meanings and is seldom a neutral choice.

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

He explains that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "austerity, virtuous simplicity and the idea that impartiality equals virtue".

The designer references the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people interact with their homes.

"Overnight they became our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness feels rather tone-deaf".

Rather than providing calm, he argues white now risks intensifying "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

Lara Clark, a UK-based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

While it may suit extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom create calm in everyday living spaces.

"What looks serene in a styled shoot can easily feel clinical at home," she explains.

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

She continues that "homes should elicit happiness and feel warm and welcoming, and this hue feels quite distant from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "unabashed joyful interior design", using colour to showcase individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and versatile".

Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into 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 fashion collections, cosmetic products, interiors, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers envision the coming year.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may appear basic, "this particular shade feels soft and elegant rather than stark".

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

"Even if 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 pick this year was "fundamentally 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 particularly well as a background for architectural details like panelling and curved entries which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

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

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

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

But she continues that it also holds presumptions around self-image, way of life and privilege, saying: "When white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the problematic connotations associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, particularly during ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the real test will be whether "brands engage with that complexity authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Style consultant Katie Malik concedes the choice initially shocked her, considering Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury