The White Everyone’s Talking About

The White Everyone’s Talking About – Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026

It’s official: Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2026 is… a white. This award marks not just 26th annual choice but the moment where white has – for the first time in its history?! – been a controversial choice.

The white is called ‘Cloud Dancer’ to be exact. And honestly we designers are not surprised.

Designers have known for years that white is a major decision. One wrong undertone and the whole space shifts. So if you’re tempted to repaint your home in “2026’s It-White,” here’s what actually matters when you’re testing whites on your wall:

Undertones

Whites swing warm, cool, creamy, chalky, green-tinted, pink-tinged… don’t let the name of paint affect your impression, sometimes they can be misleading (chantilly lace? Greek villa?). Test it against your fixed finishes and choose a white with the right undertones for your flooring, woods, marbles or stone.

Watch it all day throughout the day

A white at 10am is not the same white at 4pm due to the way the natural light hits it will be different.

Experiment with finishes

A matt white and a satin white in the same shade will not appear the same colour – other options for finishes include eggshell, semi gloss and high gloss.

Different shades

There are many different areas to use white in a project, and these can all be experimented with – the walls, the ceiling, the skirting boards and cornices.

Thinking of repainting? We can help you choose a white that actually works for your space. Get in touch for a consultation under the contact section of the website.