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For many people who has spent years renting, staring at the same standard-issue beige 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 year, the influential color company has designated a shade of white as its annual hue.

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "airy" which "serves as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the importance of quiet reflection".

It signifies the first time a pure white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a philosophy" and embodies a widespread yearning to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have branded the decision as "Pantonedeaf", arguing that elevating minimalist and immaculate white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, lived-in homes most people inhabit.

Additional critics argue that positioning white as aspirational introduces subtext related to race, creating unease within current political and cultural conversations about race and representation.

Clinical or Calm?

Interior expert One design critic says the criticism transcends aesthetics, stating that white holds deeper meanings and is seldom a neutral choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors – most famously Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to symbolize "affluence, control and removal from disorder".

He clarifies that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer personifying "restraint, moral minimalism and the idea that impartiality equals virtue".

Beaumont references the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.

"Suddenly they transformed into our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, noting that against this backdrop, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness seems rather out of step".

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

'Sterile Sensations

Lara Clark, 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 suit extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says pure white shades seldom create calm in real homes.

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

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

She adds that "living spaces should spark joy and be warm and lived-in, and this shade seems quite distant from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale joyful interior design", using colour to express personality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the meaning of the colour, but it was selected as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that seems intentional and versatile".

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

Previous selections have featured the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of a bold pink-red, and most recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.

These hues extend beyond trend forecasts - they show up in fashion collections, cosmetic products, home decor, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

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

Contrary 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, calming atmosphere".

"Even if you don't want to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, throws and curtains."

Design expert James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick this year was "essentially the absence of colour", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, explaining that white can work particularly well as a backdrop for architectural details like wall molding and curved entries which is a "rising style in modern homes".

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 vibrant colors.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says championing white feels "less about novelty and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a movement towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"White forces designers and wearers alike to concentrate on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she continues that it also carries presumptions around body confidence, way of life and advantage, saying: "When white is treated as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already aware of the problematic connotations tied to celebrating white as an ideal, particularly during ongoing discussions about representation and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "brands address that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it mirrors a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury