For many people who has spent a long time living in rental properties, staring at the same landlord-approved beige walls and longing for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might be perceived as a direct affront.
This time around, the renowned color company has chosen white as its premier hue.
To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of calming influence in a society rediscovering the worth of introspection".
It represents the first time white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.
According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and embodies a widespread urge to decelerate, reset and find calm after years of aesthetic chaos.
But some detractors have branded the decision as "out of touch", suggesting that elevating sparse and pristine white spaces can feel distant from the more compact, messier homes most people call home.
Others contend that framing white as an ideal introduces subtext related to race, causing discomfort amid ongoing political and cultural dialogues about race and representation.
Interior expert Chris Beaumont says the backlash transcends surface appeal, arguing that white carries cultural undertones and is rarely a innocuous choice.
"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to represent "affluence, control and removal from chaos".
He explains that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer personifying "austerity, moral minimalism and the notion that impartiality equals virtue".
Beaumont references the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people perceive their homes.
"Almost instantly they became our offices, refuges and emotional anchors," he says, stating that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further aesthetic barrenness seems rather out of step".
Rather than providing calm, he argues white now risks amplifying "a feeling of emptiness", especially when combined with cool, clinical lighting.
Lara Clark, a UK-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 work in highly minimal or architectural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely create calm in everyday living spaces.
"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can easily feel 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 "living spaces should spark joy and feel inviting and welcoming, and this hue seems quite distant from that."
The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to showcase individuality.
A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was selected as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a refined neutrality that feels intentional and adaptable".
Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has become a powerful industry signal.
Previous selections have included the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and more recently more gentle, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.
These colours extend beyond trend forecasts - they appear in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, product wrapping and even technology, influencing 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 appear simple, "this specific hue seems soft and elegant rather than stark".
In contrast to those who say the colour is dull, Robinson sees it as "adaptable" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and living areas where you want a serene, calming ambiance".
"Should you prefer not to redecorate, you can introduce the colour into a room with pillows, throws and drapes."
Interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz says although he was taken aback that Pantone's pick this year was "essentially the lack of pigment", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".
He can see its merits, noting that white can work particularly well as a background for design features like panelling and arched doorways which is a "growing trend in contemporary houses".
In fashion, 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.
Luxury stylist A styling expert says elevating white feels "not focused on newness and more concerned with purpose", indicating a shift towards refinement after years of trend overloads.
"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 adds that it also carries 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 divisive."
She says the fashion world is already cognizant of the uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an aspirational standard, particularly during ongoing conversations about inclusion and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "companies address that nuance authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".
Style consultant Another expert admits the choice initially surprised her, given Pantone's history of vibrant hues, but says it reflects a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury
A tech journalist and software developer with over a decade of experience covering AI advancements and cybersecurity trends across Europe.
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