18th January, 2026 I 3-5 Minute read
Pantone Colour of the Year: Cloud Dancer
Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, offers a softer, more thoughtful approach to white in interior design. This airy, balanced off-white is designed to promote calm and clarity, creating a sense of psychological ease within the home. Far from feeling stark or clinical, Cloud Dancer brings warmth and light to interior spaces, acting as a versatile backdrop for contemporary art. Closely aligned with the rise of soft minimalism, it supports interiors that feel intentional and tactile - spaces where art, form and texture take centre stage.
Treat your walls as a canvas
White walls have long been a favourite within gallery design, and Cloud Dancer brings that same considered approach into the home. Acting as a calm, neutral canvas, it allows contemporary art to stand out with clarity and confidence. With the palette intentionally pared back, saturated blues, deep teals and vivid magentas feel refined rather than overpowering, while expressive brushwork gains focus and presence. Artists such as Anna Gammans, Michael Rumsby and Jonjo Elliott demonstrate how bold, colour-led artworks thrive when framed by a soft white backdrop that enhances, rather than competes with, the work.
Dopamine decorating through art
For those drawn to dopamine decorating, Cloud Dancer offers a softer, more refined approach. Rather than relying on bold wall colours, the white walls step back and allow technicolour artworks to do all the talking. Vivid greens and solar yellows, and bright, expressive works feel even more energising when set against a calm, neutral backdrop, their impact heightened by contrast rather than competition. It’s a way of letting art stimulate the dopamine, bringing joy, warmth and personality while the space itself remains balanced, light and considered. The vibrant, colour-saturated works of Tim Fowler and Jeffrey Pratt thrive in this setting, bringing optimism and energy without overwhelming the room.
Texture as colour
In interiors shaped by Cloud Dancer, texture becomes a subtle form of colour. Artworks with layered surfaces, mixed media and tactile detail introduce depth and visual interest, enriching the space without disrupting the calm of a neutral palette. Against soft white walls, dimensional pieces feel sophisticated and luxurious, adding complexity through shadow and form. Artists including Kristjana Williams, Tabitha Millett, Emma Gibbons and Dan Pearce illustrate how texture-led contemporary art can bring depth and interest to modern interiors.
Calm through considered neutrals
Artworks grounded in a soft, neutral palette can bring a quiet sense of calm to a home, offering a visual pause that feels both restorative and timeless. Works featuring whites, muted tones and Cloud Dancer–adjacent shades create an atmosphere of ease, allowing the eye to rest while still rewarding closer attention through detail, texture and light. These artworks are also remarkably versatile, sitting effortlessly within interiors of any colour - from warm, layered neutrals to bolder, more expressive schemes - without ever feeling out of place. The subtle, contemplative works of Tabitha Millett, the ethereal, softly tonal compositions of Larissa Eremeeva, and Inam’s light-filled forest scenes demonstrate how restrained colour can carry depth, emotion and presence, bringing balance and serenity to a space.
Scale creates impact
White walls offer visual breathing space, making them particularly effective for larger-scale artworks within the home. Cloud Dancer allows these statement pieces to unfold naturally, ensuring they feel balanced and composed rather than dominant. Scale becomes a powerful interior design tool, with a single artwork capable of defining the mood and rhythm of a room. From the bold abstraction of Danielle O’Connor Akiyama to the expressive works of Natasha Barnes, alongside pieces by Michael Rumsby and Elena Henderson, large-scale contemporary art finds harmony and impact against this soft, refined white.
Contrast tells a story
Cloud Dancer brings stillness and clarity to interior spaces, creating the ideal setting for art to tell its story. Figurative, abstract and graphic artworks gain depth and narrative power when placed against quiet white walls that encourage the eye to linger. This contrast feels thoughtful and layered, allowing art to guide the atmosphere of the room with confidence. Artists such as Charmaine Chanakira, Toby Mulligan and Simon Kenny show how expressive contemporary art is enhanced when framed by calm, considered surroundings.
