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For anyone who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at the same standard-issue magnolia walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might seem like a disappointing choice.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "elevated" and "airy" which "functions as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-learning the value of quiet reflection".

It represents the first time a pure 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 philosophy" and signifies a collective urge to slow down, reset and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some detractors have dubbed the decision as "Pantonedeaf", contending that championing sparse and pristine white spaces can feel disconnected from the smaller, messier homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Some observers argue that framing white as an ideal introduces racial undertones, causing discomfort during ongoing societal conversations about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism transcends aesthetics, stating that white bears societal connotations 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 austere home – that came to represent "affluence, order and removal from chaos".

He explains that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer representing "austerity, virtuous simplicity and the notion that impartiality signifies virtue".

The designer references the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people relate to their homes.

"Suddenly they transformed into our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness seems rather disconnected".

Rather than providing calm, he argues white now risks heightening "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

Lara Clark, a UK-based design expert, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

While it may work in highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says bright whites rarely foster calm in everyday living spaces.

"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can easily feel sterile at home," she explains.

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

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

The critic hopes that homeowners will reject 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 selected as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels deliberate and adaptable".

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

Previous selections have featured the hopefulness of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These colours don't just live on trend forecasts - they show up in fashion collections, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear basic, "this specific hue feels gentle and refined rather than severe".

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".

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a background for architectural details like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "rising style in contemporary houses".

In fashion, white has long been a staple rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers more accustomed to bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to concentrate on shape, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.

But she continues that it also carries assumptions around body confidence, lifestyle and advantage, saying: "When white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

She says the industry is already cognizant of the problematic connotations tied to celebrating white as an aspirational standard, particularly amid continuing conversations about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands engage with that nuance honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Style consultant Katie Malik admits the choice at first surprised her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it mirrors a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury