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For anyone 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 seem like a disappointing choice.

This time around, the influential color company has chosen white as its flagship hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "billowy" which "acts as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the importance of introspection".

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

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and signifies a shared urge to slow down, reset and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some detractors have dubbed the decision as "insensitive", contending that championing minimalist and pristine white spaces can seem far removed from the more compact, lived-in homes everyday individuals occupy.

Some observers argue that positioning white as aspirational carries subtext related to race, creating unease during continuing societal conversations about inclusion and diversity.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the backlash goes beyond surface appeal, arguing that white holds societal connotations and is seldom a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to symbolize "wealth, control and removal from chaos".

He explains that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer representing "austerity, virtuous simplicity and the concept that impartiality equals goodness".

The designer references the global health crisis as a turning point in how people interact with their homes.

"Overnight they became our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, stating that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness feels rather out of step".

Rather than providing calm, he argues white now threatens to amplifying "a feeling of bleakness", especially when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

Lara Clark, a Surrey based interior designer, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "firmly in the bin for me".

While it may suit extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in everyday living spaces.

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

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit clinical feelings."

She continues that "living spaces should elicit happiness and feel warm and welcoming, and this hue seems quite removed from that."

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "full-scale dopamine décor", using colour to express personality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels intentional and versatile".

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

Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues don't just live on trend forecasts - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even technology, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "beautiful choice" and while it may seem simple, "this specific hue feels gentle and elegant rather than stark".

In contrast to those who say the colour is boring, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and living areas where you want a peaceful, restful atmosphere".

"Even if you prefer not to repaint, you can incorporate the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally the absence of colour", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "everyone likes it but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for design features like wall molding and curved entries which is a "rising style in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a staple rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it poses a unique test to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist A styling expert says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a shift towards sophistication after years of trend overloads.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to concentrate on shape, scale and quality, there's really no room for error," she explains.

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

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the problematic connotations associated with celebrating white as an ideal, especially amid ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "brands engage with that nuance honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Stylist Another expert admits the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's history of bold colours, but says it reflects a genuine shift and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury