Fresh and billowy: Whites that create the perfect soothing blank canvas

10 Dec 2025

Pantone has created quite the debate with its announcement of Pantone Cloud Dancer as its colour of the year for 2026. Described by Pantone as “a billowy white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection”.

Pantone Color Institute Vice President Laurie Pressman says the airy white signifies a desire for a fresh start. “Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape.”

Credit: www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2026

One thing we know at Resene is that versatile whites like Resene Half Black White, a close match for Cloud Dancer, are perennially popular with customers looking for neutrals that feel crisp, calming and clean when layered with other whites and neutrals, while elevating bolder jewel tones or rich earthy hues.

Resene Half Black White is a stalwart of Resene’s Top 20 most popular colours, often appearing in the top three behind its slightly greyed cousins Black White and Alabaster. Other similar airy whites that are always popular include Half Rice Cake, and the subtly greener white of Quarter Merino.

Let’s look at how these multi-faceted whites can add flair to any interior.

Add textured and nature-inspired finishes to airy whites and mutable off-whites to emphasise a sense of serenity and escape from distraction. Walls and battens in Resene Tea, with floor painted in Half Tea. Lamp base and coffee table in Double Rice Cake, shell dish in Half Tea. Rug from Mocka, throw and shell cushion from Adairs. Project Vanessa Nouwens. Image Wendy Fenwick

A light, dreamy white is the perfect base from which to build an elegant soothing bathroom. Off-white keeps the space soothing rather than bright, and work with low sheen finishes such as Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom on walls and ceilings, and soft-look washes on the floor for a low-glare finish. Here, the walls are Resene Quarter Merino, shelf, planter and towel rail in Merino, vanity in Eighth Stonehenge and Half Stonehenge, vases in Merino and Quarter Merino, art and stool in Half Merino. Bath and basin from Athena Bathrooms, tapware from Voda Plumbingware. Project Megan Harrison-Turner. Image Bryce Carleton.

Layer earthy mid-toned neutrals with soft and diffuse whites for a comforting, welcoming feel, that works particularly well in areas like entrance ways and gathering points like kitchens and sitting rooms. Here the walls are Resene Eighth Bison Hide, with floors washed in Colorwood Breathe Easy, hook shelf in Tana, cubby bench seat in Quarter Tana, crates in Linen, Triple Rice Cake and Rice Cake, stool in Triple Lemon Grass, vase in Duck Egg Blue, planter in Eighth Tana. Scarf from Maman. Project Annick Larkin. Image Bryce Carleton

The right breezy white paired with a soft blue evokes the carefree, airy summer skies, perfect for a soothing child’s room. Upper wall in Resene Half Halcyon, lower wall in Quarter Blanc, floor washed in Colorwood Whitewash, lamp and crate in Nullabor, cars in Nullarbor, Half Halcyon and Quarter Blanc. Chair from Mocka, cushions, bedside table and bedding from Kmart, dog toy from H&M. Project Vanessa Nouwens. Image Wendy Fenwick.

Other fresh whites to try are: Resene Double Alabaster, Half Sea Fog, Eighth Black White, White, Eighth Thorndon Cream

Published: 10 Dec 2025