Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer

Pantone has officially released their Color of the Year for 2026 and this year’s choice is a soft, lofty, serene shade of white called Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201). And we have to admit, we're not upset about it!

It’s described as a color that symbolizes calm, quiet reflection, simplicity and renewal. A response to an increasingly noisy and fast-paced world. And while some reactions have been mixed (because, well… white isn’t exactly a party trick), this color choice actually says something much deeper about how we’re craving peace in our spaces.

Isn’t White Technically… the Absence of Color?

Yes. Technically speaking, white is considered the absence of color. But in design, white can be more than just white... it can be clarity, light and possibility.

It’s the foundation that allows your home to breathe and allows your personal style to shine without competing for attention.

Cloud Dancer Can Be A Wonderland Canvas

I’ve always been a huge fan of designing homes around blank canvases, spaces that feel open, calm and timeless, while allowing furniture, art, textures and personal details to become the stars.

For my own home, I painted every wall in Valspar’s Polar White, a bright, beautifully balanced white that reflects natural light, keeps rooms feeling fresh and allows me to change my décor and trends through the years without ever having to repaint.

Shades of white don’t necessarily lock you into a moment in time, they evolve with you.

Dream Dancer Isn’t a Trend, It’s a Reset

Cloud Dancer isn’t trying to be bold. It isn’t loud. It isn’t dramatic.

It’s a pause. A breath. A fresh beginning.

In a world that constantly asks for more, faster, louder this color quietly says:

Less can be more. And calm is what the world is craving.

Designing a Home That Lasts

Trends will come and go. But homes built on thoughtful, timeless foundations are the ones that still feel beautiful decades later.

Dream Dancer reminds us that the most luxurious spaces aren’t always the most complicated, they’re the ones that feel peaceful, intentional and truly yours.

Dreaming of Your Future Home?

If you’re dreaming of building your custom home or simply remodeling it,

Cactus Wren is here to help guide your vision from first idea to final build.