CARLSTADT, N.J.— Pantone, an influential color standards company, has picked Cloud Dancer, a soft, light white, as its Color of the Year for 2026. This is the first time Pantone has chosen a white color.
Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as a calm, balanced white that gives a feeling of peace. The color is meant to make people feel relaxed and clear-headed in a busy, fast-moving world.
Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said the choice shows how people are thinking about the future. She said Cloud Dancer “offers a promise of clarity” during times of change.
This choice also reflects a shift in Pantone’s selection strategy. In past years, Pantone picked bright or earthy colors. Now the company is choosing a simple, neutral color. Designers can use it as a blank canvas for new ideas, creativity and fresh beginnings.
Experts say Pantone, which started to pick colors of the year in 1999, has a major influence in design choices.
“The goal is to identify a color that captures the global zeitgeist — a shade that reflects the collective mood and aspirations of society at that moment. This deep dive into the cultural and psychological resonance of color is why the interior design industry holds Pantone’s forecast in such high regard,” said Rachel Plybon Beach, a teaching assistant professor and program coordinator for interior architecture, WVU College of Creative Arts and Media.
In recent years, Pantone selected Peach Fuzz (2024) and Viva Magenta (2023).
Cloud Dancer is expected to appear in clothes, furniture, homes, and brands throughout 2026. Its light, neutral tone can be combined with many other colors.
