The Pantone Color Institute has announced that the main color of 2026 will be a neutral white shade called Cloud Dancer, as reported by RBC. According to experts, this color creates an atmosphere of calmness and promotes concentration, especially in the context of a constant flow of information.
According to Pantone, Cloud Dancer brings "clarity, tranquility, and creative inspiration" into our busy everyday lives. The official website of the institute states that this shade creates a sense of space and harmony, forming a visual environment that combines functionality and emotions. Specialists emphasize that Cloud Dancer fits perfectly into soft and muted color schemes and is considered a "core structural color."
Leatrice Eiseman, the head of Pantone, noted that in the face of "surrounding cacophony," it becomes difficult for people to perceive their own feelings. Cloud Dancer, she says, allows for the restoration of inner balance by eliminating external distractions.
Every year, Pantone selects a color that becomes the symbol of the upcoming year, based on a nine-month study of global cultural, social, and economic trends. The selection process takes into account changes in art, cinema, sports, and politics, as well as the influence of digital platforms and social media. If the color is already present in the Pantone palette, it retains its name; new shades require a creative approach to creating associations, often based on nature or vivid imagery.
In 2025, the color of the year was recognized as Mocha Mousse — a delicate brownish shade, which has now made way for the minimalist and calming Cloud Dancer.
