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For those who has spent a long time renting, 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 be perceived as a disappointing choice.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "elevated" and "billowy" which "functions as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the worth of quiet reflection".

It signifies the first time white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a mindset" and signifies a collective urge to decelerate, recalibrate and find calm after years of visual overload.

But some commentators have branded the decision as "out of touch", contending that elevating sparse and pristine white spaces can seem disconnected from the smaller, lived-in homes everyday individuals occupy.

Some observers propose that framing white as aspirational risks racial undertones, landing uncomfortably within current political and cultural discussions about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Interior expert Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond surface appeal, arguing that white carries cultural undertones and is rarely a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to epitomize "affluence, control and distance from chaos".

He elaborates that white is "not intended to inspire but taking care not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer representing "restraint, moral minimalism and the concept that impartiality signifies virtue".

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

"Suddenly they transformed into our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that against this backdrop, directing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness seems rather out of step".

Rather than offering calm, he believes white now threatens to heightening "a sense of desolation", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a Surrey based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

While it may work in extremely sparse or architectural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in real homes.

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

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

She continues that "homes should elicit happiness and feel inviting and lived-in, and this hue feels quite removed from that."

Beaumont hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "have varied interpretations" to the meaning of the colour, but it was chosen as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels intentional and versatile".

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

Previous selections have included the hopefulness of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and most recently softer, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These hues extend beyond style predictions - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping 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 appear basic, "this particular shade feels soft and elegant rather than severe".

Contrary to those who say the colour is dull, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and living areas where you want a serene, calming atmosphere".

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Design expert 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 not a top choice".

He can see its benefits, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for design features like panelling and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".

In apparel, white has long been a basic rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says championing white seems "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", reflecting a movement towards refinement after years of fad saturation.

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

But she continues that it also carries assumptions around self-image, way of life and privilege, 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 uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an ideal, particularly amid ongoing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the real test will be whether "brands engage with that complexity honestly, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Another expert concedes the choice initially shocked her, considering Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and fits within a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury