Pantone has selected Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201)—a soft, billowy white—as its 2026 Color of the Year, and the timing may be particularly relevant for health care environments.

According to the press release, the color authority describes Cloud Dancer as promoting quiet reflection and true relaxation in an overstimulating world, qualities that could resonate with the mental health needs of both practitioners and patients.

Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute states in the announcement that the overwhelming cacophony around us makes it harder to hear our inner voices, suggesting that Cloud Dancer offers conscious simplification that enhances focus.

Applying this to health care settings, the color's calming properties take on particular significance. "In clinical settings, we're always looking for ways to support patient comfort without making spaces feel cold or institutional," says Jamie Wilson, NP, a dermatology nurse practitioner. "A softer white like this could help—especially in spaces where patients are already nervous about procedures or diagnoses."

Regarding interior applications, Pantone indicates that Cloud Dancer encourages disconnection and rest while providing visual cleanliness that inspires well-being and a sense of lightness.

Wilson notes the practical considerations: "We've seen how the clinical environment affects both patient comfort and staff well-being. Something that feels less sterile but still maintains that sense of cleanliness could be useful, particularly in procedure rooms or consultation areas where patients need to feel at ease."

The press release positions Cloud Dancer as bringing an airy, ethereal quality—a neutral canvas that supports rather than demands attention. For physicians considering space redesign or new furnishings, Pantone presents this softer white as a starting point for creating environments that support both focus and psychological recovery.

Source: Pantone