The Pantone Color Institute has released six distinct color palettes for 2026, all centered around Cloud Dancer, the company's official Color of the Year. The soft, billowy white serves as the foundation for each palette, demonstrating how this versatile shade can adapt to different design aesthetics ranging from powdery pastels to full-tilt glamour.
According to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, Cloud Dancer functions as both a foundational color and scaffolding for entire color schemes. "Cloud Dancer acts as a foundational color and a color that provides scaffolding for the entirety of the color palette," Pressman explained. The six palettes showcase how this breath of fresh air can live in real-world applications across various moods and styles.
The Powdered Pastels palette represents the gentlest approach among the collection. Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, describes these hues as "nuanced, pleasing, and understated." This palette features barely-there pinks, soft lavenders, pale yellows, and other sun-faded colors that create a subtle, calming effect.
In contrast, the Atmospheric palette takes the moodiest direction, leaning directly into the cloud metaphor. "When you're looking from the clouds above you, you see that there are aqueous blue greens, lots of blues, greens, grays and such," Eiseman notes. This collection captures the ethereal quality of looking down from above the clouds.
The Comfort Zone palette delivers exactly what its name promises, filled with familiar, grounded colors perfect for spaces designed for relaxation. "Everyone loves a comfort zone," Eiseman observes, and this palette makes Cloud Dancer a steady neutral that renders everything else livable and easy. These colors create environments that feel instantly welcoming and familiar.
For those seeking more vibrant options, the Tropic Tonalities palette offers what Eiseman calls "pure fun." In this scheme, Cloud Dancer becomes the quiet constant that allows bright tropical colors to shine without overwhelming a space. The white acts as a balancing force that lets bold hues express themselves freely.
The Take a Break palette proved particularly enjoyable to name, with Pressman and Eiseman nearly choosing "delicious" instead. This collection leans into dessert-inspired shades including Mango Mojito, Cocoa Creme, Pink Lemonade, Papaya, and Caramel. "All those luscious things that take our color this year and evolve it into next year's color," Eiseman explains, highlighting the palette's indulgent, treat-like quality.
The Light and Shadow palette focuses on nuance and contrast rather than bold statements. "It's a pale palette. It ultimately dissolves into shadowy shades," Eiseman describes. This collection emphasizes depth and dimension, creating sophisticated schemes built on subtle variations rather than loud colors.
Finally, the Glamour and Gleam palette represents the most elevated interpretation of Cloud Dancer. Eiseman characterizes this collection as "adding some drama," designed for statement moments with polished, sophisticated colors. This palette transforms the gentle white into something more formal and luxurious, perfect for high-end applications that demand presence and refinement.
