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For those who has spent a long time renting, confronted by the same standard-issue magnolia walls and yearning for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might seem like a personal attack.

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

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "elevated" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-evaluating the worth of introspection".

It marks the initial instance a pure white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a state of being" and reflects a shared yearning to slow down, recalibrate and achieve serenity after years of visual overload.

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

Others argue that presenting white as an ideal carries subtext related to race, creating unease during current societal discussions about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Interior expert Chris Beaumont says the criticism goes beyond surface appeal, noting that white holds deeper meanings and is rarely a innocuous choice.

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

He explains that white is "not intended to inspire but being careful not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "austerity, moral minimalism and the idea that impartiality equals virtue".

Beaumont cites the pandemic as a defining period in how people perceive their homes.

"Suddenly they transformed into our offices, sanctuaries and sources of stability," he says, stating that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more visual emptiness seems rather out of step".

Instead of providing calm, he argues white now risks amplifying "a sense of emptiness", especially when paired with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

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

Although it may suit extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says pure white shades seldom foster calm in real homes.

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

"White can feel harsh and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to give hospital vibes."

She continues that "living spaces should spark joy and be inviting and lived-in, and this hue seems quite distant from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale dopamine décor", using vibrant hues to express personality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated impartiality that seems intentional and versatile".

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

Past choices have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like a soft peach.

These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they show up in fashion collections, cosmetic products, home decor, product wrapping and even technology, shaping how products are sold and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

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

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

"Even if you don't want to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with cushions, throws and drapes."

Design expert Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick 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 benefits, explaining that white can work particularly well as a background for architectural details like wall molding and arched doorways which is a "rising style in modern homes".

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

Fashion consultant A styling expert says elevating white seems "less about novelty and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.

"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to concentrate on form, proportion and quality, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she continues that it also carries presumptions around self-image, way of life and advantage, 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 aspirational standard, particularly during continuing conversations about inclusion and approachability, and the real test will be whether "companies address that nuance honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Style consultant Another expert admits the choice initially shocked her, considering Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury