Cloud Dancer, biophilic design and the role of neutral palettes

Cloud Dancer, biophilic design and the role of neutral palettes

Pantone’s 2026 colour of the year, Cloud Dancer, sits within a wider shift towards softer, more natural palettes in interior and spatial design. Rather than acting as a defining colour, it functions as a backdrop, drawing from mineral references such as stone, chalk and plaster. Its relevance lies less in trend and more in how it supports materials, planting and form.

In biophilic design, neutral palettes play an essential role. They allow living elements to exist without visual competition and create space for texture, growth and natural variation. Colours like Cloud Dancer provide a stable base that responds well to organic materials, changing light and seasonal movement, all of which are central to biophilic environments.

Within our studio work, this approach is particularly important when working with stone planters and sculptural forms. A soft mineral tone reinforces the integrity of the material, allowing its natural surface detail, edges and shadows to remain visible. Rather than contrasting sharply, the colour supports the form, ensuring it sits comfortably within its surroundings.

The relationship between neutral palettes and greenery is one of balance. Planting becomes clearer when set against restrained backgrounds, whether in residential interiors, hospitality settings or commercial spaces. Greens appear fresher, textures feel intentional, and arrangements are able to evolve over time without the palette becoming restrictive.

Neutral tones also support longevity. In spaces designed to change through seasonal planting, temporary installations or shifting use, a considered base palette provides flexibility. Cloud Dancer works across a range of environments, bridging interior and exterior and sitting easily within both contemporary and traditional architecture.

For us, biophilic design is not about decoration, but about creating environments that feel grounded and liveable. Neutral palettes are fundamental to this approach. They allow materials to behave as materials, planting to remain the focus, and spaces to feel coherent as they adapt.

Cloud Dancer reflects this way of working. Not as a defining statement, but as a supportive element that allows natural materials, sculptural form and living systems to lead.