Peach Fuzz, Viva Magenta, Very Peri: Pantone has, in the past, been known for choosing vibrant colours for its yearly pick.
But in 2026, things are about to change – and not necessarily for the better.
The upcoming Colour of the Year is…white. Not exactly a groundbreaking shade (yes, it’s a shade, not a colour) to drench your walls in, more a ‘safe choice’ for landlords looking to sell up ahead of May’s Renter’s Reforms.
Pantone has described Cloud Dancer (which has the accompanying colour code of 11-4201) as a ‘lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.’
Apparently, it’s a ‘billowy white imbued with serenity,’ which ‘encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.’ Well, we wouldn’t go quite that far.
Pantone also adds that it’s perfect for a ‘world where colour has become synonymous with personal expression,’ which seems an odd choice of wording. Does it not want us to be individuals with opinions and tastes?
Ready to start your homebuying journey?
You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from:
– Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker
– Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week
– Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market
Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice.
Find out how much you could borrow online
Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Seemingly, though, even Pantone has given up the ghost and admitted that white isn’t really a colour, but a shade. It’s argued that it’s ‘more than just a shade,’ and that this colour ‘reflects the cultural moment.’
What moment is that, exactly? One where the global takeover of AI has made us incapable of thinking creatively? Or perhaps they’re referring to the terrible economic climate that’s sucked the life out of us?
Can no one afford – or be bothered – to invest in popping interiors anymore? We’ve succumbed to plain old white, which I fear could become a worse epidemic than millennial grey. This isn’t a cultural moment: this is bleak.
It also feels generally in line with the idea that design is getting increasingly more, well, boring. Women’s clothing seems to have gone monochrome for Christmas 2025, with racks of white, black and grey dominating shop floors.
As the fashion commentators at Rewind Vintage Affairs recently pointed out, in times of uncertainty, people prioritise plain, classic clothing, rather than going with trends. Practical? Yes. Depressing? Also yes. And it sounds like our homes are set to get the same treatment.
‘Simplicity and serenity are the ultimate luxury’
According to Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillary’s, the choice of colour marks an interesting departure from the ‘dopamine décor and colour maximalism’ that we’ve seen dominate the design world of late.
She says: ‘I think this reflects a cultural shift. Pantone talks about a need for calm and clarity, and I completely agree. It feels like a reset moment for interiors where simplicity and serenity are the ultimate luxury.’
In Victoria’s view, Cloud Dancer is somehow lovable for its ‘billowy, almost weightless quality.’ As she explains, it’s not a ‘stark white: it has softness and depth that makes a space feel open and easy to live in.’
She adds: ‘When I see this shade, I think of light flowing through a room, creating that sense of calm and breathing space we’re all craving right now. Sheer, airy voiles diffuse light beautifully and create that ethereal, cloud-like effect Pantone describes.’
‘Neutrals are on the way out’
Needless to say, though, Pantone’s choice hasn’t gone down well online.
‘I can’t even begin to explain how disappointing Pantone’s colour reveals are year after year,’ @oldloserinbrooklyn (Mandy Lee), who has been a trend forecaster for more than a decade, lamented in a TikTok, further describing the pick as ‘disturbing’ and ‘tone deaf.’
‘Let this be a reminder that these decisions, as arbitrary and silly and unimportant as they may seem, are inherently political.’
She made these comments in reference to an interview that the company’s Vice President Laurie Pressman gave to The Washington Post, in which she claimed: ‘Skin tones did not factor into this at all.’ However, others have been wondering whether it completely disregards the political context the US is operating under right now, and whether it’s a wise choice considering the undertones.
@perezbrenna joked that this ‘feels like a recession indicator,’ asking if they’forgot to read the room’ when they made their decision.
‘It’s a weird choice, like a little bit behind the designed times. Not even the newest iPhone comes in white. Neutrals are on the way out, and colour is coming back in, so Pantone…why?’
This also isn’t the first time that Pantone’s gone rogue. In 2021, it chose grey as the colour of the moment, arguing that it was a ‘marriage of colour, conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.’ Well, it’s hard not to feel depressed just looking at it.
There’s hope yet, though. WSGN also forecasts a colour of the year, and its pick for 2026 is Transformative Teal. I know which one I’d rather use on my walls.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
