Blank canvas or tone-deaf? Pantone’s white Colour of the Year sparks backlash

For anyone who’s spent years renting, staring at the same magnolia walls their landlord approves of, and dreaming of one day adding some real personality to their home, Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year may feel like a personal attack.

Pantone chose white as the color of the year this year.

More specifically, Cloud Dancer – a white described as “lofty” and “undulating” who “serves as a symbol of a calming influence in a society that is rediscovering the value of quiet contemplation.”

White was chosen as the color of the year for the first time and attracted the attention of many people.

According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer is “not just a color, it’s a mindset,” reflecting a collective desire to slow down, reset, and calm down after years of visual overload.

But some critics labeled the decision “Pantonedeaf,” arguing that elevating minimalist and pristine white spaces could feel too distant from the smaller, messier homes where most people live.

Others argue that positioning white as aspirational risks racial overtones, an uncomfortable situation amid ongoing political and cultural conversations about race and representation.

Designer Chris Beaumont says the reactions go beyond aesthetics, arguing that white carries cultural undertones and is rarely a neutral choice.

“White is a signal,” he says, having been shaped by celebrity minimalist interiors for a decade, most notably Kim Kardashian’s simple home, which represents “opulence, order and freedom from chaos.”

He explains that White is “not about inspiration, but about being careful not to offend”, while Cloud Dancer embodies “austerity, moral minimalism and the idea that detachment equals virtue”.

Beaumont points out that the pandemic has been a turning point in people’s relationships with their homes.

“Overnight they became our offices, our sanctuaries, and our emotional anchors,” he says, adding that against this backdrop, pushing the Color of the Year toward “more visual space” feels pretty tone-deaf.

He believes that instead of imparting calm, white now risks reinforcing the “feeling of bleakness,” especially when paired with cold, clinical lighting.

Lara Clark, a Surrey-based interior designer, agrees, saying Cloud Dancer “doesn’t really read as a color” and is “definitely in the trash for me.”

While appropriate for extremely minimal or architectural spaces, bright whites rarely create tranquility in real homes, he says.

“What looks subdued in a stylish shoot can easily feel clinical at home,” she explains.

“White can feel rigid and unforgiving, and you don’t want your home to feel like a hospital.”

“Homes should spark joy and feel warm and lived-in, and this shade feels quite far from that,” she adds.

Beaumont hopes homeowners will reject the Pantone Color of the Year in favor of “full-scale dopamine decor,” using color to express personality.

Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, told the BBC that people “bring different emotions” to the meaning of the colour, but that this color was chosen because it “works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels intentional and adaptable”.

Pantone’s Color of the Year has become a powerful industry signal since its launch in 2000.

Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and more recently, softer, emotion-driven tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colors are not just limited to trend predictions; It also appears in fashion collections, beauty launches, interiors, packaging and even technology, shaping the way products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

Style and trend expert Victoria Robinson says Cloud Dancer is a “beautiful choice” and although it looks simple, “this particular shade feels soft and elegant rather than stark.”

Contrary to those who say the color is boring, Robinson sees the color as “adaptable” and says it’s best used in “bedrooms and living spaces where you want a calm, relaxing atmosphere.”

“Even if you don’t want to repaint, you can add color to the room with cushions, throws and curtains.”

While interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz was surprised that Pantone’s pick this year was “essentially a lack of color,” he says it’s a bit like vanilla ice cream, so “everybody loves it, but it’s nobody’s favorite.”

He can see the benefits of this, explaining that white can work particularly well as a background for architectural details such as paneling and arched doorways, “a growing trend in modern homes.”

White has long become a staple in fashion rather than a statement, and as the Color of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers accustomed to bold hues.

Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says celebrating white is “less about innovation and more about intent,” reflecting a shift toward elegance after years of trend overload.

“White forces designers and users to focus on form, proportion and quality; there’s really nowhere to hide,” he explains.

But she adds that it also carries with it assumptions about body confidence, lifestyle and privilege: “When white is treated as something that only a narrow group of people can achieve, it becomes exclusionary.”

He says the industry is already aware of the troubling undertones of celebrating white as an ideal, especially amid ongoing debates around representation and accessibility, and that the real test will be “whether brands address this nuance honestly or simply aestheticize the colour.”

Stylist Katie Malik admits she was initially surprised by this choice, given Pantone’s bold color history, but says it reflects a real shift and fits into a broader mood of “quiet luxury”, burnout and a rejection of excess.

He says feedback from his customers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many wanting calmer, more restorative spaces.

“Many people are actively seeking peace and tranquility in their homes and are not always ready to move towards bolder colours,” she explains.

Malik argues that whether white feels calming or sterile depends on how it is used, and far from being “Pantonedeaf”, he sees it as one of Pantone’s most useful choices.

In the opinion shared by Malik, Cloud Dancer is described as a blank canvas that allows “all the colors to shine.”

“A blank canvas is not an empty space, it is a space full of potential,” he says.

He added that its success “is not in its universal adoption, but in how it underpins a broader discussion about what we want from our homes.”

For those who want to embrace Cloud Dancer in all its pure glory, one thing may be crucial: a very good stain remover to keep on hand.