After years of dopamine decor and uncompromising maximalism, Pantone has made a surprising pivot for its 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer. Suitable for both minimalist and richer tones, this soft, billowing white acts as a calm, confident base.
Pantone positions Cloud Dancer as a calming antidote to a hectic world. It invites reflection, silence and quiet reflection. Like a blank canvas, it symbolizes the collective desire for a new beginning and new ways of thinking. This is a sublime white that calms the mind, promotes true calm and gives room to breathe – a shade that creates space for innovation.
This year's announcement goes far beyond colors: Pantone has collaborated with several brands, including Pura, to launch a limited-edition home fragrance; Joybird for a furniture collection and even Spotify for a curated playlist that captures the mood of the shade.
Not cold and never clinical, Cloud Dancer is based on slow principles and is remarkably versatile – allowing other colors to shine, adapt, harmonize or contrast.
With its expansive effect, it can create calm and spaciousness throughout the home. Pantone suggests using it to add a spa-like softness to bathrooms, add a clean, open quality to kitchens, and create a sense of well-being wherever it appears in furniture or furnishings.
With Pantone positioning white as the boldest color trend of 2026, we asked design experts their thoughts on Cloud Dancer—and their best advice for decorating with white.
The power of layered whites
“My love for white is stronger than ever,” says Chrissie Rucker OBE, founder of The White Company. “In our hectic times – an era of constant connectivity – the idea of creating a peaceful white home associated with calm and well-being seems more valuable than ever.” I always choose a soft, calming palette of whites, creams and neutrals, remembering that white is not one color but a thousand tones and shades, all slightly and subtly different from one another.”
The White Society
Creating an emotionally grounded home
“These soft whites and cloudy neutrals support the growing desire for colors that promote well-being and provide gentle depth without dominating the room,” explains Lucy Steele, color and interior design expert at V&CO Paint. “Whether used to refresh hallways or calm living spaces, the warm spectrum is becoming the preferred backdrop for homes that feel inviting, grounded and emotionally calming.”
Embrace visual silence
“Cloud Dancer has a calming effect precisely because it is free from influence,” notes James Mellan-Matulewicz, creative director at Bobbi Beck. “Without a hint of undertones, it promotes visual calm and reduces the busyness that layered colors can create.”
A natural addition to Scandi kitchens
“In the kitchen, Cloud Dancer fits effortlessly with the muted tones and tactile materials typical of Scandinavian design.” When used with graphite black or stainless steel appliances, it creates a balanced, sophisticated color palette that is purposeful and beautifully understated,” explains Jag Sandhu, national account manager at ASKO.
A calm foundation for living rooms
“Cloudy whites and soft creams add a gentle lightness to the living room, softening the space while providing calm, airy warmth,” says Shelley Fish, creative director at Aurelo. 'These shades are perfect for highlighting architectural details and natural textures, creating a timeless yet calm, sublime backdrop for tactile layers or upholstered furniture. On sofas, this neutral hue is particularly inviting, subtle enough to blend seamlessly into any setting, yet elegant enough to anchor the entire room.”
A true chameleon
“Psychologically, white is associated with peace, simplicity and new beginnings and therefore has an immediate calming effect on the mind.” Pantone's color of the year, Cloud Dancer, captures this beautifully. “It's minimalist but not austere, and it has a softness that feels comfortable and quietly luxurious,” notes Shelley Cochrane, accessories buyer at Furniture Village. “Cloud Dancer is also incredibly versatile, whether you’re creating a calm, Scandinavian-inspired space, a modern, minimalist look, or a more timeless, classic environment.” “It provides a subtle foundation that brings textures, shapes and carefully chosen accents into focus.”
An airy white that brightens the entire room
“Cloud Dancer seems particularly relevant as people increasingly view their homes as oases of calm,” comments Magdalena Gierasinska, Head of Product & Displays at Barker and Stonehouse. “In a turbulent world, we gravitate toward colors that offer stability and calm, and this ethereal white delivers just that.” Its weightless, airy quality opens up a space and creates a feeling of calm clarity that is both calming and uplifting.”
Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer Pantone
Complementary tones for depth
“To make the palette feel connected and organic, draw on natural materials and landscapes,” advises Sarah Hart, founder and lead designer of Sarah Hart Interior Design. “Deep wine tones and burgundy tones work beautifully with Cloud Dancer, providing a dramatic counterpoint without overwhelming the space.” Imagine Cloud Dancer walls with deeper, contrasting millwork, a burgundy rug to anchor the room, a striped sofa, and a marble or Delft tile fireplace surround. These bolder hues give the soft white something to respond to. It creates depth, tension and timeless height.”
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