Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year: A Natural White That Redefines Serene Living
We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
PublishedDec 4, 2025 8:30 AM EST
Sign Up for Domino’s Newsletter
Sign Up for Domino’s Newsletter
By signing up, you confirm you are 16+, will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to ourTerms of Useand acknowledge the data practices in ourPrivacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Anyone who has visited a hardware store to quickly purchase a can of white paint knows the selection is anything but simple. Hundreds of shades compete for attention—some warm and creamy, others bearing cool gray undertones. Certain whites read as yellow in brightly lit rooms, while others take on a purple-ish tint when applied to ceilings. The quest for the perfect white is no small endeavor.
Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year,Cloud Dancer,may well be the answer. Laurie Pressman, VP of the Pantone Color Institute, and Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Pantone Color, describe the selection as a “natural white.” “The fact that it’s a soft white (not a scientific, cold white) invites relaxation,” says Pressman. Eiseman adds that it’s a “lofty white that reads like a breath of fresh air” and is “imbued with a feeling of serenity.”
While selecting a shade of white as a Color of the Year may seem unconventional (the only other time Pantone came close was in 2006 withSand Dollar), Pressman and Eiseman attribute the choice to a growing desire to disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other. “We want respite, relief from all of this stimulation,” says Pressman. Surrounding yourself with a warm white is one way to cultivate calm at home—a blank slate, a visual cleanse, an invitation to embrace refined minimalism.
Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer
White looks refined in virtually any setting, paired with nearly any accent. Yet Pressman and Eiseman offerspecificguidance for maximizing Cloud Dancer’s potential. Start by embracing the billowy white on voluminous textiles likeJoybird’s new Soul and Karina fabricsdesigned in partnership with Pantone. For kitchen cabinetry, the shade can be color-matched at any local paint store for a custom, seamless application.
Amelia Grand Swivel Chair — Joybird
The Pantone Color Institute has also provided seven curated color palettes designed to complement this year’s selection. Standout combinations include powdery pastels, warm caramel, cool atmospheric grays and blues, and tropical tones like turquoise and citrus yellow. The breadth of the palettes underscores the nuanced versatility within this particular white.
More Pantone Colors to Explore in 2026
“Sometimes when people visit a paint store looking for a shade of white, they aren’t aware that some can be cool and some can be warm,” says Eiseman. “Now, they might start to see it and have a conversation about it. It’ll get their creative juices flowing.”
Lydia Geisel
Home Editor
Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.
Learn more about Domino.comEditorial Standards
