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For those who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and dreaming of injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might feel like a disappointing choice.

This year, the influential color company has chosen a shade of white as its flagship hue.

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "billowy" which "serves as a emblem of tranquility in a society rediscovering the worth of quiet reflection".

It represents the initial instance 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 reflects a collective urge to decelerate, recalibrate and seek peace after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "out of touch", contending that promoting sparse and pristine white spaces can feel far removed from the smaller, lived-in homes everyday individuals call home.

Some observers propose that positioning white as an ideal introduces subtext related to race, causing discomfort during continuing societal dialogues about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer One design critic says the counter-reaction transcends aesthetics, arguing that white bears deeper meanings and is rarely a neutral choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, shaped by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to symbolize "wealth, control and distance from chaos".

He clarifies that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, moral minimalism and the notion that neutrality signifies virtue".

Beaumont points to the pandemic as a turning point in how people perceive their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our workspaces, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that against this backdrop, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness feels rather tone-deaf".

Instead of offering calm, he believes white now threatens to heightening "a sense of emptiness", especially when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

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

Although it may work in extremely sparse or architectural spaces, she says bright whites rarely create calm in real homes.

"An image of tranquility in a styled shoot can easily seem clinical at home," she clarifies.

"White can feel stark and demanding and you don't want your home to emit hospital vibes."

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

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale joyful interior design", using colour to showcase personality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels intentional and adaptable".

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

Past choices have included the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and most recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours extend beyond style predictions - they show up in fashion collections, beauty launches, home decor, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed 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 elegant 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 "bedrooms and living areas where you want a serene, restful atmosphere".

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, 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 "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, noting that white can work particularly well as a backdrop for architectural details like panelling and arched doorways which is a "rising style in modern homes".

In fashion, 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 bold shades.

Fashion consultant A styling expert says championing white feels "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a movement towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

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

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

She says the industry is already cognizant of the problematic connotations associated with lauding white as an ideal, especially amid continuing discussions about inclusion and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "brands engage with that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's history of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury