White is an emotion that draws from heart and home; a colour representing peace, serenity and calmness, that also offers room to be subversive and resilient. And in 2026, it has received due recognition. Pantone, the global colour standard system, has named Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201) as its Colour of the Year. A “blank canvas in a chaotic world”, the shade is described as “soft, natural, and billowy white… symbolising quiet reflection, new beginnings, and a move towards minimalist, serene aesthetics”.
1405 Design Studio in Chennai.
But the personal is political, too. In the West, ‘Pantonedeaf’ was trending for a while, the colour widely slammed for being tone-deaf and evoking feelings of white supremacy — at a time when diversity and equity efforts are increasingly being curtailed and mainstream politics becoming extremely volatile. Netizens had a counter-proposal, given voice on Reddit forums and social media. They declared their colour of choice as Phthalo Green, a saturated hue that contains within it the entirety of the natural world (which is also under threat today).
Retro Reverie from House of Katha.
Rambha Sheth and Sripriya Ganesan of Neon Attic.
The India story
In India, however, it hasn’t received as polarising a reception. After all, white has always felt like home here. From the Taj Mahal in Agra to the Ranakpur Jain Temple in Rajasthan, the shade has been part of the country’s architectural history for centuries. Sripriya Ganesan, co-founder of Neon Attic, Chennai, says,“Our spaces are layered with colour, objects, people, and ritual. This shade creates room for all of that without trying to be memorable on its own.”
Studio Nilasha
Poonam Mehta, co-founder of Poonam Akash (formerly AMPM Designs) in Mumbai.
From a textile perspective, adds Solachi Ramanathan, founder of Chennai’s Urban Workshop, white lets other colours shine. “In mul cotton, white exists in its purest, most tranquil form, creating interiors that feel light, breathable, and uncluttered.” In bandhani, the tie-die textile, white becomes more expressive when paired with saturated colours such as red, blue, and green. The colour teaches us contrast and balance.
Poonam Akash (formerly AMPM Designs) in Mumbai.
So in India, where craft is rooted in maximalism, Cloud Dancer offers the perfect backdrop. According to Poonam Mehta, co-founder of Poonam Akash (formerly AMPM Designs) in Mumbai, Pantone’s pick is a thoughtful choice reflecting a growing desire for simplicity and calm in our increasingly chaotic lives.
Ananya Sharma and Aditya Tognatta of Gurugram-based Custom Design Stories.
“The versatility and neutrality of Cloud Dancer accentuates the textures of materials from our folklore, such as kota, terracotta, and bamboo, complementing the ethnic design styles across India,” states Aditya Tognatta, co-founder of Gurugram-based Custom Design Stories. The “blank canvas” works as a mediator: absorbing light, tempering excess, and allowing life to unfold without visual interference.
1405 Design Studio in Chennai.
Allowing homes to breathe
Nilasha, founder of Hyderabad-based Studio Nilasha.
In Indian houses, white gives people the space to understand that emptiness also has the potential to turn something beautiful and fresh. “In a culture rich with colour, craft, and memory, this soft, nuanced white becomes a quiet anchor, holding space for individuality,” says Nilasha, founder of Hyderabad-based Studio Nilasha.
Sruthi Reddy, principal architect at Chennai’s Ceebros Designworks.
Take the advice of Sruthi Reddy, principal architect at Chennai’s Ceebros Designworks: the colour works best in living rooms. It can also suit dining rooms, puja rooms, and reading areas — spaces designed for people to slow down and recharge.
Pratyusha Kethinedi, founder of Bengaluru-based House of Katha.
“Cloud Dancer becomes a quiet canvas that invites layers of texture and colour. Rather than being the star, it acts as the foundation that binds the home together,” adds Pratyusha Kethinedi, founder of Bengaluru-based House of Katha.
Gurugram-based Custom Design Stories.
How to pair it with furniture
One should be mindful when pairing colour with furniture. Because of the vast possibilities, it can either look like a showroom or feel too cramped. Cloud Dancer’s soft warmth pairs beautifully with natural textures and materials such as wood, while metals like bronze and brushed brass can also elevate the space.
Divya Khullar and Ashwath Narayanan of Chennai’s 1405 Design Studio.
“Used thoughtfully, Cloud Dancer becomes less about stark minimalism and more about unlimited possibility,” says Ashwath Narayanan, co-founder of Chennai’s 1405 Design Studio. Furniture should have texture and weight: solid wood, cane, stone, hand-finished surfaces, or fabrics with visible weave. Earthy tones, muted terracotta, soft olives, deep greys complement the shade beautifully. “It is a colour that doesn’t demand attention but enhances everything, making space for life, memory, and craftsmanship to shine,” concludes Nilasha.
