Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year: Cloud Dancer and What It Means for Tile Trends

This year, the Pantone Colour Institute has selected Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201) as the Colour of the Year — a soft, ethereal off-white that embodies calm, clarity and renewal. Pantone describes this nearly neutral hue as a whisper of serenity in an increasingly loud and busy world, offering a clean slate and inviting creativity in design.

But what exactly does this mean for interiors — and more importantly, how will it influence tile trends across homes and commercial spaces in 2025?

Cloud Dancer: The New Neutral

Unlike the bold colours often chosen in years past, Cloud Dancer is a barely-there white — not stark, not clinical, but luminous and warm. It sits perfectly between a pure white and a soft neutral, adding a sense of openness and tranquillity to any space.

Think of Cloud Dancer as a foundation colour — like a blank canvas that instantly makes rooms feel larger, lighter and more grounded. Its gentle nature creates peaceful interiors without overpowering the eye.

How Cloud Dancer Influences Tile Design

1. The Return of White & Light

Tiles in clean whites and soft off-whites are gaining traction. Whether it’s matte subway tiles in a bathroom, large-format whites in open-plan living areas or textured white tiles in kitchens, Cloud Dancer reinforces this trend. White tiles act as a neutral base — one that lets textures and forms take centre stage.

This doesn’t mean spaces will feel cold or clinical. Instead, designers are embracing warm, nuanced whites that work beautifully with natural light and soften shadows — perfect for creating calm, timeless interiors.

Village White Gloss

2. White as a Canvas for Colour & Character

One of the most exciting opportunities Cloud Dancer offers is as a canvas for colour. Because it’s so subtle, white tiles can be paired with:

• Pastel and muted toned tiles — dusty blues, soft blushes and sage greens add gentle personality without overwhelming the eye.

• Colourful handmade look tiles — terrazzo, artisan ceramics and hand-glazed tiles become standout features against an airy white backdrop.

• Natural materials — timber, stone and metal add warmth and depth against white tile expanses.

Using white as a base for your bathroom tiles, encourages playful and creative applications of colour — from accent walls and border tiles to feature floors that harmonise with Cloud Dancer’s calm neutrality.

Image: Pinterest. Recreate the look with Surfaces Off White Matt

3. Balance and Harmony in Modern Spaces

With Cloud Dancer leading the design conversation, we’re seeing interiors that prioritise balance over boldness. Quiet, serene spaces centred around light tones allow other design elements — like patterns, textures and handcrafted tiles — to shine without competing for attention.

This trend aligns perfectly with the rise in interest for handmade and artisan tile looks: textured surfaces, soft pastels, and handcrafted glazes feel richer and more expressive when paired with gentle whites.

Supreme Medley Pulpis Matt

4. Practical & Timeless Choices for Homes

From bathrooms to kitchens and living areas, white and off-white tiles are incredibly versatile and genuinely timeless. They suit everything from ultra-modern minimalism to classic and tactile interiors.

Here’s how you can bring this trend into your home:

• Large white tiles in open plan spaces to enhance light and create continuity.

• Textured or handmade look tiles as feature elements — they pop beautifully against a Cloud Dancer palette.

• Pastel accents in smaller areas like splashbacks or shower niches for personality and playful contrast.

The calming effect of white also offers functional benefits: it visually expands spaces, enhances light reflection and creates a backdrop that evolves with changing décor styles.

Yubi Solid White Gloss

Cloud Dancer marks a shift toward serenity, simplicity and flexibility in design. While the colour itself may be subtle, its impact on tile trends is profound: interiors will be lighter, more reflective and richer in texture and detail.

At Tile Space, we see Cloud Dancer not as an endpoint, but as a starting point — a versatile base that lets you weave in your favourite colours, textures and handcrafted tiles with confidence and creativity.

So let Cloud Dancer be your design canvas this year. White doesn’t mean boring — it means brilliant design starts here.