Trends for 2026: everything you need to know about the new Pantone color of the year

A few words about Pantone

Pantone is certainly one of the most well-known companies for designers in all fields. Since 1963, the company has specialized in the creation of color charts that guarantee color accuracy. Thanks to this system, the selected shade remains the same regardless of the printer or the printing medium used. This important innovation is a revolution in the world of design.

In 2000, the company decided to name a color of the year for the first time. Since then, the color influences design trends for the following twelve months. Selecting it requires a lot of work by the Pantone team, which analyzes current design trends, but also the global social context in order to choose the perfect shade. Its name must correspond to the message that the company wishes to convey for the coming year.

A look back at the color of 2025: Mocha Mousse

Before we get to know the Pantone 2026 color, let's take a look at the one that made its appearance in 2025. Mocha Mousse is a deep, rich shade of brown. This choice reflected a desire to return to our roots, to connect with nature, to simplicity and comfort. It has been easily integrated into designers' colour palettes to evoke comforting everyday elements or to balance bright, vibrant shades.

The Pantone Color of 2026: Cloud Dancer

Like every year, the predictions were varied, and everyone was trying to guess what the Pantone color of 2026 would be. Would we see a deep green? A pastel blue? A bright yellow? A bright fuchsia?

For the first time, it is a noble white, Cloud Dancer, which was unveiled to the public on December 4, 2025. This neutral hue is reminiscent of clouds, but also of a blank page, representing new beginnings and possible transformations once you open up to change. We see where we give space for ideas and where we can completely create from scratch.

The choice of a neutral shade also meets a collective need for calm and serenity. In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with information and signals, both visual and audio. Cloud Dancer softens the environment by creating an area of softness, well-being, disconnection and rest, where visual distractions are more discreet.

This color of the year, in its simplicity, also creates a bridge between humanity and technology. This has been an important talking point for graphic designers in 2025 with the rise of artificial intelligence and the increasing quality of its achievements. The clean white offers balance, giving us the space to experiment with new tools without losing the human side that is so important.

Whether in fashion, interior design or graphic design, Cloud Dancer will bring a minimalist, clean and sophisticated look to 2026. This shade promises to be the perfect canvas to let bold ideas shine while offering a clean aesthetic that matches current design trends.

How to use the Pantone Color of the Year when creating your logo

Do you need to create a new logo for your business in 2026? Integrate Cloud Dancer to give it a modern and timeless look. Its simplicity will carry you through the years without going out of style. This white matches any colour, giving you creative freedom to develop a variety of styles.
 

Here are some tips for incorporating the Pantone Color of the Year into your logo:

• Use it as a background: Cloud Dancer creates a clean space that highlights the other elements of your logo, perfectly suited to a minimalist and sophisticated style.
• Create contrast with bright colors: Pair this neutral white with bold hues (electric pink, coral red, emerald green) for a modern and eye-catching logo.
• Play with shades of white: combine Cloud Dancer with other shades of off-white or cream for a subtle and refined effect that's perfect for high-end brands.
• Incorporate it into a negative space logo: Use Cloud Dancer as the main color of your icon on a darker background to create a sleek, contemporary visual effect.
• Pair it with natural tones: a touch of white paired with beiges, soft greys or browns creates a natural and calming aesthetic that's ideal for wellness- or eco-friendly businesses.
• Go for a monochromatic approach: create a logo entirely in shades of white and pale grey for an ultra-minimalist and futuristic look.

To embed Cloud Dancer in your logo, use the Pantone code 11-4201 TCX or recreate it with the HEX code #F0EEE9 if your software does not support this color mode.

How to incorporate the Pantone color of 2026 into your color palette

The versatility of Cloud Dancer allows it to easily integrate into any color palette. Whether you prefer vibrant hues or pastel shades, this neutral white will balance your compositions and let each color express itself fully without creating visual overload.

Pantone offers seven color combinations featuring Cloud Dancer, each representing different emotions and styles. You can use it as inspiration for your color palette or let your imagination run wild to design a unique creation that perfectly reflects your brand identity.

Cloud Dancer is shaping up to be a must-have shade of 2026. This neutral white offers a perfect canvas for creating modern and timeless logos, while reflecting the collective need for calm and balance. Want to incorporate this colour of the year into your visual identity? Explore FreeLogoDesign's logo maker and get inspired by Cloud Dancer to design a logo that will cut through trends with elegance and simplicity.

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Roxane écrit depuis toujours et rêvait de vivre de sa plume. Maintenant rédactrice web, réviseure et autrice, on peut dire que c’est mission réussie!