Published December 30, 2025
The word is in: expert trend forecasters at the Pantone Color Institute have announced their 2026 Color of the Year. Each selection offers insight into the cultural shifts shaping how we live, design, and experience the spaces around us. Take a closer look at what this year’s pick reveals — and why it matters far beyond the world of color.
Since 2000, the experts at the Pantone Color Institute have studied global color trends and cultural influences to select a Color of the Year that captures the spirit of the moment. The process is thoughtful and highly intentional. Twice a year, representatives from color standards groups around the world gather for a confidential meeting in a European capital, where insights are shared, ideas are debated, and one color is chosen to reflect the intersection of design, culture, technology, and the way we live.
For 2026, Pantone has selected PANTONE 11-4201 “Cloud Dancer” as its Color of the Year — marking the first time a shade of white has received this distinction. Described as a billowy, balanced white infused with serenity, Cloud Dancer represents clarity, calm, and fresh beginnings in a world that often feels overstimulated. More than a simple neutral, this soft off-white serves as a visual blank canvas, encouraging reflection, simplicity, and renewed focus across interiors, fashion, branding, and everyday design.
Pantone emphasizes that Cloud Dancer isn’t meant to fade into the background. Instead, it elevates and complements surrounding colors, offering flexibility and emotional resonance at a time when intentional, peaceful spaces are increasingly valued — especially in the places we call home.
This selection marks a notable shift from 2025’s Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse. While Mocha Mousse leaned into warmth, richness, and indulgent comfort with its earthy brown tones, Cloud Dancer moves in the opposite direction, embracing lightness and openness. Together, the transition tells a broader story — one that moves from grounding ourselves in comfort to creating space for clarity and possibility.
To see how Cloud Dancer is already shaping design and influencing everyday spaces, explore Pantone’s official 2026 Color of the Year announcement on their website here.
Color trends don’t stop at fashion or interiors — they influence how we experience the spaces we live in. From staging and renovation choices to the overall feeling of a home, colors like Cloud Dancer help shape what today’s buyers are drawn to and how homes are positioned in the market. As Austin continues to evolve, understanding these subtle design cues can make a meaningful difference. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply looking to stay ahead of local trends, Moreland Properties’ trusted Austin real estate experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
