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For anyone who has spent years living in rental properties, confronted by the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might seem like a direct affront.

This year, the renowned color company has designated a shade of white as its annual hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "billowy" which "functions 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 generated significant controversy.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a philosophy" and reflects a collective urge to slow down, reset and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some commentators have branded the decision as "Pantonedeaf", contending that elevating sparse and pristine white spaces can seem far removed from the smaller, messier homes everyday individuals inhabit.

Some observers contend that positioning white as aspirational carries racial undertones, causing discomfort amid current societal discussions about race and representation.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer One design critic says the counter-reaction transcends surface appeal, stating that white bears societal connotations and is seldom a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to represent "affluence, order and removal from disorder".

He clarifies that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer embodying "austerity, moral minimalism and the idea that impartiality equals virtue".

The designer cites the global health crisis as a turning point in how people perceive their homes.

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

Rather than providing calm, he contends white now risks heightening "a sense of emptiness", particularly when combined with cool, clinical lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

Lara Clark, a UK-based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "is not perceived as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although it may suit highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in real homes.

"What looks serene in a professional photo can readily seem clinical at home," she explains.

"The color white may seem stark and unforgiving and you don't want your home to emit clinical feelings."

She adds that "homes should elicit happiness and be inviting and lived-in, and this shade feels quite removed from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed joyful interior design", using colour to express individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, providing a refined neutrality that seems deliberate and adaptable".

Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has evolved into a powerful trend indicator.

Past choices have featured the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and more recently softer, emotionally driven tones like a soft peach.

These hues extend beyond style predictions - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, home decor, packaging and even technology, 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 seem simple, "this specific hue feels soft and refined rather than stark".

In contrast to those who say the colour is dull, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and communal spaces where you want a peaceful, calming ambiance".

"Should you prefer not to repaint, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and curtains."

Design expert Another professional 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 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 contemporary houses".

In fashion, white has long been a staple rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a unique test to designers more accustomed to vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant Oriona Robb says championing white feels "not focused on newness and more about intention", indicating a shift towards refinement 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 continues that it also holds presumptions around body confidence, way of life and advantage, saying: "When white is viewed as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already cognizant of the problematic connotations associated with celebrating white as an aspirational standard, especially during ongoing conversations about representation and approachability, and the real test will be whether "companies engage with that nuance authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury