Trendwatch 2025: The year of colour

What will this year look like inside our homes?

While very few of us can – or should – revamp our homes to adapt to every new trend or design influence, it’s fun to look at how others are combining colours and living in their own homes so when we do have a project to tackle we are full of inspiration.

An interior with texture, rich colours and warm neutrals

Texture, rich colours and warm neutrals will all be key design elements we’re exploring, as demonstrated in this inviting, sophisticated living space.

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Left wall stained in Resene Colorwood Pitch Black with rear wall painted in Resene Bright Spark and Rusty Nail using Resene FX Crackle topcoated in Resene Oasis. Floor painted in Resene Half Gin Fizz, side table in Resene Oasis, curved vases in Resene Half Gin Fizz and tall floor vase in Resene Oasis with dry brush topcoat in Resene Half Gin Fizz. Couch and coffee table from Good Form, side table, cushion and rug from Mocka. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Neutrals will warm up

Neutrals will warm up and extend beyond the classic white, cream and grey to soft coloured shades.

This room is painted in Resene Half Sour Dough and floor in Resene Alamo. Add your own wooden touches finished in the golden glow of Resene Colorwood Natural. Screen, armchair, brass table and floor lamp from Matisse, vase and candle from Faradays. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

Here’s a look at some design influences on the radar of some of Resene’s colour experts.

What influences do you think will drive our design choices?

Resene Design Advocate Brooke Calvert: “With people becoming ever more conscious about where products are from, and how they are made, there will be increasing demand for eco materials and products.

“Health and wellbeing are also shaping colour choices and design layouts, with calming tones and natural elements becoming more popular in modern interiors. We are also seeing more expressive unique and personalised design ideas that push boundaries and reflect personality. These often feature bold colours used together in a single space with combinations like Resene Valentine, Resene Aviator and Resene Polo Blue.”

Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholls: “The desire to connect with our environment and create surroundings that nurture us will be a key influence. Japan and Scandinavia lead the way with dramatic dark shades and chalky whites. Finishes will be tactile, with slatted walls gaining momentum in the popularity stakes, along with natural linen-look fabrics. Natural limewash effects using Resene FX Paint Effects Medium in soft tones are catching decorator’s attention and wooden accents will vary from deep shades like Resene Colorwood Mahogany to soft whitewashes like Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. The different seasons will continue to inspire colour palettes, features and ideas with blossom pinks like Resene Inspire, wintery blue/greens like Resene Welcome and summer ochres like Resene Noosa.

Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey: “We’ll see the continuation of sustainable design and eco-inspired themes, with global wellness in mind. We’re driven by the fundamental desire for peace, authenticity and hope and we’ll see those values reflected in the choices we make in our interiors.”

Resene Colour Expert Amy Watkins: “Keep an eye on fashion, that’s where most interior design colour influences come from. Look at how the colour is placed in clothing and if it has a secondary colour being used as a contrast. It’s a good way to find inspiration.”

Resene Stylist Moneuan Ryan: “How we feel about the design choices we make, is becoming just as important as how a space makes us feel and sustainability is a key value that influences the choices we make for our homes and ourselves. Another key descriptor being used in colour and design globally is warmth. Bringing that into our spaces will definitely push us toward cosier colour palettes.

Rich opulent hues of deep red are making a comeback

Rich opulent hues of deep red are making a comeback, conjuring all things comfort and relaxation.

Back wall and wall through doorway painted in Resene Red Oxide, side wall and ceiling painted in Resene Redwood. Floor stained in Resene Colorwood Bark. Sofa, floor lamp and coffee table from Matisse, rug and flowerpot from Ligne Roset, stool from Soren Liv, artwork by Liam Gerrard from Sanderson Gallery, linen bowl from ECC, marble pear, carafe and glasses from Tessuti. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

A connection with nature influences our colour palettes

A connection with nature and the outdoors will continue to influence our colour palettes and interior design ideas.

This nook is painted in Resene Saratoga with shelves in Resene Night Magic. Desk edge and legs in Resene Cashmere and floor stain washed in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Books, art and shoes from Father Rabbit, chair from Danske Møbler, chalice and pot from Republic, clock from The Warehouse, poodle from Smith & Caughey’s. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.

What are some of the colour and style trends you think we'll start seeing?

Brooke Calvert: “I think we’ll see more soft dusky pinks like Resene Contented, warm terracotta like Resene Awaken, ginger caramels like Resene Yogi and olive greens like Resene Seaweed.

We can expect moody, saturated shades of red and burgundy like Resene Savour, Resene Trek and Resene Pandemonium, as well as dramatic darks like Resene Rebel and Resene Rewilding. Neutrals will be soft and earthy with shades like Resene Awaroa Bay, Resene Meringue and Resene Otter. Blues and greens will be serene with shades like Resene Eau De Nil and Resene Field Day.

When it comes to style trends I think we’ll see a revival of retro styles, some dramatic darker spaces and lots of texture, using products like Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium to create a limewashed look and other textured finishes on walls, flooring and other surfaces.”

Jackie Nicholls: “I think we will continue to value more complex, organic-looking colours. White colours will be stonier and warmer, promoting comfort and well-being. Drama and contrast will also be important with moody and mysterious dark accents.

Meryl Southey: “When it comes to colours I think we’ll see soft mid-toned hues like Resene Napa and Resene Tana, as well as deep moody colours like Resene Deep Teal and Resene Epic, that are calming and give spaces a comforting, feel-good energy. Sky blues like Resene Jet Stream and blue-greens like Resene Aquamarine will continue to be popular as they sit so well in our landscape.”

Amy Watkins: “I think we will continue to see people experimenting with using more colour; not just having one feature wall, but exploring the possibilities of stronger colour on all four walls of a space.”

Moneuan Ryan: “Trends we have loved living with for the past few years will evolve. Warm minimalism is one trend being explored more broadly, using less expected neutral shades, like Resene Cashmere or Resene Wafer, even extending into subtle greens and blues like Resene Coconut Cream or Resene Hermitage. We still love all things curvy and organic, complemented by nature-driven colours and warm woody hues. Rich, expressive colour is trending internationally and we will likely see this pop up in accents in the Southern Hemisphere; think deep and complex blues like Resene Biscay, Resene Avalanche or Resene Midnight Express, emerald greens like Resene Parsley and rich reds like Resene Burgundy.

“These deep shades also tie in with the trend for ‘quiet luxury’ which is all about subtle texture, understated elegance and considered curation, rather than obvious expense. ‘Modern cottage’ is another trend on the rise. It’s all about intentional comfort, blending old and new in colour, pattern and texture and western and equestrian influences, particularly in woven textures and surface finishes.”

What Resene colours would you like to see used more?

Brooke Calvert: “There are so many delightful colours we can expect to see more of. I’m excited to embrace the change and explore new colour combinations.”

Jackie Nicholls: “The different strengths of some of our existing colours are beautiful, such as Resene Field Day (Resene Half Paddock), Resene Contented (Resene Quarter Del Rio) and Resene Awaroa Bay (Resene Half Pale Oyster). The different strengths of Resene Albescent White are often overlooked, but with their subtle coffee undertones, they can really enhance a space.”

Meryl Southey: “I’d like to see Resene shades of deep violets and reds Resene Spitfire, Resene Hinau and Resene Upstage start to replace the cooler blue and green toned blacks that have been popular. They evoke a real sense of warmth and cosiness.”

Amy Watkins: “Colours with more depth and a purple edge, like Resene Fandango and Resene Strikemaster.”

Moneuan Ryan: “Rather than particular colours I'd love to encourage people to generally explore the Resene colour ranges more broadly, as well as other products like the Resene FX Metallic and FX paint effects ranges, which are a super easy way to bring a vast range of texture to projects. Don't be shy in asking for a ‘wild card’ recommendation from the experts at your Resene ColorShop. They’ll often suggest something you wouldn't have considered but end up loving.”

Colours mentioned in this blog...

Trendwatch 2025: The year of colour

What influences do you think will drive our design choices?

What are some of the colour and style trends you think we'll start seeing?

What Resene colours would you like to see used more?

Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com