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For those who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at the same standard-issue beige walls and yearning for injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might feel like a direct affront.

This time around, the renowned color company has chosen white as its annual hue.

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "functions as a symbol of calming influence in a society re-evaluating the worth of stillness".

It marks the first time white has been chosen 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 signifies a shared desire to decelerate, reset and achieve serenity after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some detractors have dubbed the decision as "Pantonedeaf", suggesting that promoting minimalist and immaculate white spaces can feel disconnected from the smaller, messier homes the majority call home.

Others propose that presenting white as an ideal carries subtext related to race, causing discomfort amid ongoing political and cultural conversations about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Interior expert One design critic says the backlash transcends aesthetics, noting that white bears deeper meanings and is seldom a neutral choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most famously Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to epitomize "affluence, control and removal from chaos".

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

Beaumont references the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.

"Overnight they transformed into our workspaces, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, directing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness seems rather tone-deaf".

Instead of offering calm, he argues white now risks heightening "a sense of desolation", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a Surrey based interior designer, agrees 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 bright whites seldom foster calm in everyday living spaces.

"What looks serene in a styled shoot can readily feel sterile at home," she clarifies.

"White can feel stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit clinical feelings."

She adds that "living spaces should spark joy and be warm and lived-in, 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 dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.

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

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

Past choices have featured the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.

These hues extend beyond style predictions - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even consumer electronics, shaping 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 simple, "this specific hue seems soft and refined rather than severe".

Contrary to those who say the colour is boring, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, restful ambiance".

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

Interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz 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 especially effectively as a backdrop for design features like panelling 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 presents a unique test to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a shift towards refinement after years of fad saturation.

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

But she continues that it also carries assumptions around self-image, way of life and advantage, stating: "When white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes divisive."

She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the problematic connotations associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, particularly amid ongoing discussions about representation and approachability, and the real test will be whether "companies engage with that complexity authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Cultural Mood, Not a Trend

Stylist Katie Malik concedes the choice initially shocked her, given Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury