Colour Of The Year? Not For My Year!

If you’re like me, you get giddy when Pantone announces its Colour of the Year. I wait for it like it’s Christmas morning, full of hope, imagination, and visions of walls, furniture, and little corners that make people grin every time they walk into a space. Shortly after, Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams usually announce their annual picks, and that’s when I order full-sheet samples for inspiration, social media content, and maybe even to spark some inspiration for my clients.

But this year… hmm. Off-white? Okayyyy?

Don’t get me wrong, it’s soft, polite, easy on the eyes. Safe, even. And in a world that feels messy, chaotic, and legitimately unsafe these days, I get why people reach for neutrals. Comfort is valid. Predictability is soothing. Especially when you feel the pressure to design for resale or to create a space that has universal appeal. Sometimes you want something personal, something joyful, something unapologetically you, but the market (or the world) screams, “Play it safe.”

Here’s the thing though. Safe doesn’t have to be boring. Colour doesn’t have to be reckless. Personality, whimsy, and comfort can coexist beautifully. And after two decades of whites, off-whites, and soft neutrals dominating interiors in Vancouver, I was hoping for a little more. A little spark. A little magic. A little audacious playfulness. Something to make designers and homeowners alike imagine a space that leapt off the page.

Instead… well. See above.

Now, I don’t begrudge Pantone their choice. Their colour forecasts have to account for fashion, graphic design, product trends, and a hundred other industries. Some past choices have made me grimace. (I’m still side-eyeing Ultimate Grey and Illuminating from 2021, an absolutely gaudy combo for interiors.) But this year, I wanted a little more oomph. A little more audacity. I wanted a colour that whispered, “Let’s play. Let’s dream. Let’s imagine.”

(Quick side note: pictured above is what Sherwin Williams selected for their 2025 trend forecast, this fabulous, curated collection of 48 colours... now THAT was inspired!)

Over the last 50 years, colour has been slowly drained from our interiors. Walls, furniture, accessories, all of it muted, muted, muted. And people are noticing. They’re asking themselves, “Do I actually want to live in this? Or do I want something that reflects what I truly feel, or how I want to feel? What does my space say about me?”

This is where magic happens: colour isn’t just decoration. It shifts energy, lifts spirits, and reminds us life can be playful, bold, and delightfully unexpected. One wall, one accent, one perfectly quirky piece can make an entire space come alive.

But I do want to ask you one important question: does Cloud Dancer make you feel alive? Does it evoke an emotion or state of mind you want within your home? If so, I celebrate this fully. However! If you’re feeling pressured to follow trends, listening to your sister-in-law’s HGTV decorating tips, or painting it because your realtor friend swears it’s a “safe resale colour”… maybe it’s not reflective of who you are and how you want to live. But again! If it makes you feel good? Go for it!

What I’m trying to say is, don’t settle. Life’s too short to be safe and uninspired. Design isn’t about neutral autopilot. It’s about creating a space that reflects you, excites you, and makes your heart skip a beat. Subtle, bold, or outright wild? It doesn’t matter. What matters is that it feels like home.

So, if Cloud Dancer has taught us anything, let it be this: you don’t have to play it safe. You don’t have to follow the trends. Colour is your ally. Optimism is your permission slip. Whimsy is your secret weapon. Use them. Trust yourself. Make your space sing.

And if you’re feeling shy about it, let me give you a gentle push. Paint a wall, add a bold accent, or bring in something that makes your space unapologetically you. Beige (and off-white) can wait.