For anyone who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same standard-issue beige walls and dreaming of adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might feel like a disappointing choice.
This time around, the influential color company has chosen white as its premier hue.
In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "serves as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of stillness".
It signifies the first time a pure white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.
Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a state of being" and embodies a collective yearning to slow down, recalibrate and seek peace after years of visual overload.
But some detractors have labelled the decision as "insensitive", contending that promoting sparse and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, lived-in homes everyday individuals inhabit.
Some observers propose that presenting white as aspirational risks subtext related to race, creating unease during ongoing political and cultural discussions about race and representation.
Interior expert Chris Beaumont says the backlash goes beyond surface appeal, noting that white carries cultural undertones and is seldom a innocuous choice.
"The color white sends a message," he says, shaped by a ten-year period of minimalist celebrity interiors – most famously Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to represent "affluence, order and removal from disorder".
He elaborates that white is "not intended to inspire but being careful not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer representing "austerity, virtuous simplicity and the idea that neutrality denotes virtue".
Beaumont cites the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.
"Suddenly they became our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, noting that against this backdrop, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness feels rather tone-deaf".
Instead of providing calm, he argues white now risks intensifying "a sense of emptiness", especially when combined with cool, clinical lighting.
An interior designer, a Surrey based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".
While it may work in highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says bright whites seldom create calm in real homes.
"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can readily seem clinical at home," she explains.
"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to give hospital vibes."
She adds that "homes should spark joy and feel inviting and welcoming, and this shade seems 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 colour to express 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 "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that feels intentional and versatile".
Since its launch 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 calm confidence 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 trend forecasts - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping and even technology, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the coming year.
A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear basic, "this particular shade seems soft and refined rather than stark".
In contrast to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, restful ambiance".
"Should you prefer not to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, throws and curtains."
Interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was taken aback 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 nobody's favourite".
He can see its benefits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a background for architectural details like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in modern homes".
In apparel, white has long been a basic rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it poses a different challenge to designers more accustomed to vibrant colors.
Luxury stylist A styling expert says championing white feels "less about novelty and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.
"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, proportion and quality, there's really nowhere to hide," she clarifies.
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 limited subset of people can pull off, it becomes divisive."
She says the industry is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, especially amid continuing discussions about representation and approachability, and the real test will be whether "brands address that complexity honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".
Style consultant Katie Malik admits the choice at first surprised her, given Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury
Elena Vance is a digital strategist and creative director with over a decade of experience in transforming brands through innovative design.