And how the Pantone Colour of the Year can help your home stand out
Trends come and go, but when it comes to real estate, the most successful homes share one thing in common: they make buyers feel something the moment they walk through the door.
Pantone’s 2026 Colour of the Year, Cloud Dancer, reflects exactly what today’s buyers are craving – light-filled spaces, calm interiors and a sense of effortless comfort. While it may look understated, this soft neutral plays a powerful role in how homes are perceived, experienced and remembered.
The psychology behind soft, neutral spaces
Buying a home is an emotional decision. Subtle colour choices can influence how relaxed, confident and connected a buyer feels in a space – often without them even realising why.
Cloud Dancer sits in that sweet spot between warm white and pale grey. It doesn’t dominate a room, but instead:
- Softens harsh lines
- Creates visual flow between spaces
- Encourages a sense of calm and balance
In our busy and noisy lives, buyers are increasingly drawn to homes that feel like a retreat – and Cloud Dancer supports that instinct beautifully.
Why Cloud Dancer photographs so well
In today’s market, most buyers fall in love online first. Photography and digital presentation matter more than ever, and colour plays an important role in how a home translates on screen.
Cloud Dancer works exceptionally well because it:
- Reflects natural and artificial light evenly
- Avoids yellow or blue colour casts in photos
- Creates a clean backdrop for furniture and styling
- Enhances depth and brightness in smaller rooms
This makes it a reliable choice for sellers who want their home to look as good online as it does in person.
Creating flow throughout the home
One of the most common mistakes sellers make is using too many colours throughout different rooms. While individual spaces may look nice on their own, the home can feel disjointed overall.
Using a soft neutral like Cloud Dancer throughout:
- Creates cohesion and continuity
- Makes homes feel more spacious
- Helps buyers move seamlessly from room to room
This sense of flow is especially important in open-plan living and family homes, where connection between each space is key.
An ideal base for styling
From a styling perspective, Cloud Dancer is incredibly adaptable. It allows furniture, artwork and textures to elevate the space without visual competition.
It pairs effortlessly with:
- Warm timber floors
- Stone benchtops
- Linen and boucle textures
- Soft greenery and muted décor
For sellers, this means less styling effort with greater impact – a win on both time and budget.
A considered choice, not a passing trend
While Cloud Dancer is Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2026, its appeal goes far beyond trend status. It feels timeless, intentional and universally appealing – exactly what you want when presenting a property to market.
Rather than making a bold statement, Cloud Dancer supports what buyers value most: light, comfort, versatility and a sense of home.
In real estate, the goal isn’t to impress buyers with bold design choices – it’s to help them imagine living there. Soft neutrals like Cloud Dancer do just that, creating homes that feel welcoming, balanced and ready for their next chapter.
If you’re considering selling in 2026 and would like advice on colour choices, presentation or preparing your home for market, Team Etchells is here to guide you every step of the way.
Donna Etchells - McGrath Estate Agents 