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For anyone who has spent years living in rental properties, staring at the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and dreaming of adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might be perceived as a direct affront.

This time around, the influential color company has designated white as its premier hue.

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the value of quiet reflection".

It represents the initial instance white has been honored 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 mindset" and reflects a shared yearning to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some commentators have dubbed the decision as "Pantonedeaf", suggesting that promoting minimalist and immaculate white spaces can seem far removed from the smaller, lived-in homes the majority inhabit.

Additional critics argue that positioning white as an ideal risks subtext related to race, causing discomfort during continuing societal discussions about race and representation.

Clinical or Calm?

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

"White is a signal," he says, shaped by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to epitomize "affluence, order and distance from disorder".

He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer personifying "restraint, moral minimalism and the notion that neutrality equals goodness".

The designer cites the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.

"Suddenly they became our offices, refuges and emotional anchors," he says, stating that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness feels rather out of step".

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

'Hospital Vibes'

An interior designer, a UK-based interior designer, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

While it may work in 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 seem sterile at home," she clarifies.

"The color white may seem harsh and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to give a medical atmosphere."

She continues that "living spaces should spark joy and be warm and lived-in, and this shade feels quite removed from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to express individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that seems deliberate and adaptable".

Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a significant trend indicator.

Previous selections have included the hopefulness of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.

These hues extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the coming year.

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

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

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

Interior designer Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally the lack of pigment", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "everyone likes it but it's not a top choice".

He can see its merits, explaining that white can work particularly well as a backdrop for design features like panelling and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

In apparel, 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 accustomed to vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant Oriona Robb says elevating white feels "less about novelty and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, scale and quality, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she adds that it also holds presumptions around body confidence, lifestyle and privilege, saying: "When white is treated as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones associated with lauding white as an aspirational standard, particularly amid ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Style consultant Katie Malik concedes the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and aligns with a wider mood of "quiet luxury