HOT OFF THE PRESS: Forbes
Featured in Forbes: How Pantone’s Off-White Color of the Year Should Influence Your Home Design
I’m honored to have been featured in Forbes discussing Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year and why understanding off-white undertones matters in interior design. While many homeowners think of white as a simple neutral, the reality is far more nuanced — and mastering it can elevate your spaces with subtle sophistication and lasting cohesion.
Why “Cloud Dancer” Isn’t Just “White”
In 2026, Pantone surprised the design world by selecting Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201), a soft off-white shade, as its Color of the Year — the lightest and most understated choice in the program’s history. This isn’t just a shift in color selection; it signals a broader movement toward serene, balanced interiors rooted in simplicity and emotional clarity.
Unlike stark bright whites that can feel clinical or harsh, off-whites like Cloud Dancer offer a warm, relaxed neutralitythat supports natural light and elevates material textures throughout a home. For designers, that balance between cool and warm undertones is critically important — because even small shifts in tone change how a room feels and interacts with its architecture and furnishings.
What Interior Designers Should Know About Off-White Undertones
1. Light Affects Everything
An off-white can look completely different depending on light sources. North-facing rooms with cool light may make a neutral appear gray or bluish, while south or west light can warm up the same shade. Choosing the right undertone ensures your off-white feels intentional and inviting, not washed out or sterile.
2. Undertones Influence Mood and Perception
The reason designers pay close attention to subtle pigments in whites — whether leaning slightly creamy, rosy, or cool — is that undertones directly affect the emotional tone of a space. A soft warm off-white creates a cozy, enveloping feel, while a cooler variation emphasizes brightness and visual simplicity.
3. Off-White as a Canvas, Not a Default
Choosing Cloud Dancer or other off-white tones shouldn’t be about following a trend — it’s about using neutrals as foundational design tools. These shades allow architectural details, materials, and curated furnishings to stand out without competing, creating an environment that feels cohesive and refined.
How to Use Off-White in Your Interior Design
Here are practical ways to apply off-white thoughtfully:
Walls and Ceilings
Off-white walls create a tranquil backdrop for living spaces, especially when paired with natural wood, stone, or muted color accents.
Trim and Millwork
Using the same off-white on trim and millwork can blur edges, creating seamless transitions that feel less rigid and more calming.
Layered Neutrals
Pairing off-white with supportive neutrals — like soft greige or warm beige — adds depth and visual interest without overpowering subtle design elements.
The Bigger Design Takeaway
Being featured in Forbes on this topic underscores a core design truth: color is about more than aesthetics — it’s about atmosphere, harmony, and how a space feels to live in. Off-white may seem simple on the surface, but it carries emotional and spatial nuance that plays a major role in creating interiors that feel simultaneously fresh, timeless, and deeply personal.
Choosing the right neutral starts with understanding undertones and how they interact with your home’s light, materials, and overall mood — and that’s where expert guidance can make all the difference.