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For many people who has spent a long time renting, staring at the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and yearning for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might be perceived as a disappointing choice.

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

To be precise, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white described as "lofty" and "airy" which "acts as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the importance of introspection".

It marks the first time white has been picked as the Colour of the Year, and it has raised more than a few eyebrows.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "is not just a colour, it's a philosophy" and embodies a collective urge to slow down, reset and achieve serenity after years of visual overload.

But some detractors have dubbed the decision as "out of touch", contending that championing sparse and immaculate white spaces can seem disconnected from the more compact, messier homes everyday individuals occupy.

Some observers argue that positioning white as aspirational risks subtext related to race, landing uncomfortably amid current societal dialogues about race and representation.

Soothing or Stark?

Interior expert One design critic says the counter-reaction goes beyond surface appeal, stating that white bears deeper meanings and is rarely a neutral choice.

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

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

The designer cites the global health crisis as a pivotal moment in how people interact with their homes.

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

Rather than providing calm, he contends white now risks heightening "a sense of desolation", particularly when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'A Clinical Atmosphere

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

While it may work in highly minimal or structural spaces, she says bright whites rarely foster calm in real homes.

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

"The color white may seem stark and demanding and you wouldn't wish your home to emit a medical atmosphere."

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

The critic hopes that homeowners will disregard the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "full-scale joyful interior design", using colour to express personality.

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

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

Previous selections have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the serene assurance of a deep blue, the vibrancy of a bold pink-red, and more recently softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on style predictions - they appear in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, product wrapping and even consumer electronics, influencing how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

Victoria Robinson, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may seem basic, "this particular shade seems soft and elegant rather than severe".

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

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

Design expert Another professional says although he was taken aback that Pantone's pick this year was "essentially the absence of colour", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's not a top choice".

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

In apparel, white has long been a staple rather than a statement and as a Colour of the Year it poses a different challenge to designers more accustomed to bold shades.

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

"White forces designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, scale and quality, there's really no room for error," she explains.

But she adds that it also carries presumptions around body confidence, way of life and advantage, stating: "If white is treated as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the industry is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to lauding white as an ideal, particularly during continuing conversations about representation and accessibility, and the true challenge will be whether "brands engage with that nuance authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Stylist Katie Malik admits the choice initially shocked her, given Pantone's track record of bold colours, but says it mirrors a authentic change and fits within a wider mood of "quiet luxury