Dine in style… outdoors

From the Resene colour inspiration – latest looks gallery

Step outside and create a space worth celebrating in your garden.

The backyard barbeque get together is a quintessential tradition, so why not take your garden or courtyard to the next level with a splash of vibrant Resene paint? Gone are the days of the backyard being a single slab of grass for the kids to play on, we now see our garden as an extension of the home, bringing our colour scheme outdoors and giving our outside spaces a sprinkle of personality. It’s easier than ever to create an outdoor patio space for your family and guests to love with a few simple hacks. Even if you don’t have a backyard to work with, these tricks can be easily applied to apartment balconies, courtyards or outdoor areas where space is limited.

Get two different looks in the same outdoor space simply by changing out your accent colours with Resene paint. The best way to create a multi-functional space is to paint the walls of your courtyard in a neutral colour. Try selecting a colour you have used inside your home, we chose warm neutral Resene Quarter Friar Greystone, to act as the foundation of your colour palette. Using similar colours to your interior, perhaps in a darker strength, will ensure a good indoor/outdoor flow between spaces.

For a breezy, beachy look paint an accent feature or screen in Resene Duck Egg Blue or lighter Resene Bluetooth. Pair it with bright white décor, including plant pots in Resene Black White to achieve a relaxed Hamptons vibe. If you’re after a more feminine touch, simply swap out the blue screen and pots for smoky lilac hues such as Resene Mamba or Resene Juniper. Continue the theme by introducing colourful plants like lavender or rosemary for a delicate touch.

One thing we value most in an outdoor space is privacy, but it can sometimes be difficult to create a private area while still maintaining the cohesion of a space. Slatted screens are the perfect solution, as they have the capability to create privacy and block elements such as wind and sun without compromising airflow. Treat your privacy screen like a work of art, incorporating it into the space by creating a colour block in warm Resene Prairie Sand or cheerful Resene Galliano. If you’re after a more modest solution, paint your screen a slightly darker tone than your wall, we used Resene Friar Greystone. This will create a sense of depth which can be furthered by securing shelves or upcycled crates to the screen.

Accentuate the natural elements of your outdoor space by staining your shelves in a Resene wood stain. With a variety of hues and strengths, Resene wood stain will protect your timber furnishings and give them a sophisticated update while still retaining the natural beauty of the grain. We upcycled wine boxes into shelves on our screen and stained them in Resene Iroko and Resene Equilibrium. If you are looking for a stain for your deck or timber flooring in your courtyard, check out Resene’s Woodsman Decking Oil Stain range. If you’re going for a moody courtyard that features a range of darker paints and stains, ask for a Resene CoolColour formula. Resene CoolColour technology helps protect exterior materials and reduces the effects of the sun’s heat.

For a bold courtyard that packs a punch, consider a more vibrant range of Resene colours. Paint your courtyard walls in a deep green, such as Resene Forest Green or Resene Mangrove. Sophisticated and ochre-based, these greens are sure to turn your courtyard into a statement piece. The green hues, reminiscent of forest scenes, will create an added connection to nature, while the darker tone will give a feeling of depth to the space, perfect for those smaller courtyards or balconies. As contrary as it sounds, more is more when it comes to smaller outdoor spaces. Fill your space with painted pots and leafy plants. Add some height to the space with DIY artwork or taller potted trees. The abundance that these multiple elements create will keep the eye interested and moving, making the space appear bigger.

Project by Megan Harrison-Turner. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2022