Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026 - Cloud Dancer

Yes… the Pantone Colour of the Year, 2026 is White!

Pantone have spoken, - 2026’s crowned colour is Cloud Dancer

“Introducing Pantone Color of the Year 2026, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.”

Pantone Colour Institute

But reactions across the design world have been… mixed.

Wallpaper magazine celebrated its serene vibe, while Creative Boom noted that it reflects our search for “truth, possibility and a new way of living.” That’s a lot of existential weight for something that also looks like an undercoat!

Meanwhile, some designers were distinctly less philosophical. The Nordroom called the choice “underwhelming” and “safe”, and a few critics went further, labelling it “uninspiring” in a year when bold palettes are everywhere. One online commenter joked that “if you don’t notice it, that means it’s doing its job well,”.

Still, whether you adore its calm neutrality or think Pantone took minimalism slightly too literally this year, Cloud Dancer has one undeniable superpower: it goes with everything!

In our website design, we often focus on white space - it’s not an instinctive thing to do - to leave white space, but it’s so important to let the content speak or just be seen without all the noise. So perhaps this neutral, soft shade of white, will have more fans than we initially think!

https://www.pantone.com/uk/en/color-of-the-year/2026

https://www.wallpaper.com/design-interiors/pantone-colour-of-the-year-2026-cloud-dancer-white