Colour inspiration – latest looks
Get inspired with colour and the latest decorating and colour trends! If you're getting ready for your next decorating journey, browse through these beautiful mood boards, paints, colours and decorating ideas to help you select just the right look and mood for your space. For more ideas, see the decorating inspiration gallery, habitat magazine or view how-to project ideas.
Page:
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
05 |
06
Plaid-tastic
Lure out your creative side and get graphic with paint in a way that will leave a lasting impression... more
Natural healing
For most people, your bedroom is your sanctuary – the place where you begin and end each day, and where you retreat to recharge your batteries... more
Face value
Discover your inner artist with a Bauhaus inspired wall mural for your lounge... more
Making a Mondrian statement
A bathroom is the perfect place to get a little creative. Tucked away behind closed doors, it’s a veritable blank canvas to experiment with colour and style... more
It's a breeze
Create an outdoor shower inspired by the sea. Using aqua hues will transform your outdoor shower into a room in itself... more 
New life
Repurposing current household favourites in soothing new hues and calming tonal colour schemes can completely transform a space... more
A warm welcome
Stepping into a stunning hallway sets the tone for what’s in store throughout the rest of a home... more 
Easy breezy
A holiday home is somewhere we spend our precious time, with the idea of getting away from it all... more
Get out more
This palette champions a selection of Resene blues and whites that subtly convey a seaside theme... more
They call it cubby love
These cool coloured block striped cubbies are a fun way to bring order to the after school dumping ground... more
Character study
Let rebooted neutrals bring a multidimensional minimalism to your bedroom... more 
Second nature
A colour scheme like this one is a no-brainer for rest and relaxation... more
Coastal christmas
With blue tones often associated with the ocean and clear skies, it makes sense to embrace these beach-inspired hues at Christmas time... more
Sun-day style
When the sun is shining and the air is warm, a place to relax outside, read a book and enjoy a tipple should be on everyone’s to-do list... more
Natural attraction
Encourage sweet soothing sleep with a bedroom painted in soft character neutrals, filled with natural texture and a warming palette of colours... more
Pastel pops
For a dining space that’s filled with energy and whimsy, pair pretty pastels with bright fruity hues on a crisp white backdrop... more 
Green light
Grant yourself permission to bring in some fresh colour for your finest dining yet... more
The greatest of ease
This contemporary space is styled using neutrals from either end of the spectrum to create a harmonious feel and timeless sense of refinement... more 
Block it out
If you’ve made the switch to working from home, one of the biggest challenges you might have faced was finding a place to set up a desk where you can concentrate... more
Nature's finest
Bask in the best nature has to offer with a conservatory that feels like springtime all year round... more 
Dressed to impress
Dark sea greens and pale blues come together in a dressing room you’ll never want to leave... more
Pretty in pink
Create a soft pink and grey space where you can prepare for the day ahead in peace... more 
Draw the line
If working from home means sharing a desk, here’s how to make sure your areas stay separate while being together... more
In reverse
If you have a long span of wall, such as in an open plan living room, you could add tongue-and-groove panelling or wainscotting... more 
Chocolate indulgence
Dark chocolate browns and warm, rich caramels are decadent additions to your sleeping space... more
Mellow yellow
Enjoy the sunshine, even on a rainy day, in a lounge that celebrates the radiance and joy of tonal yellow decorating... more 
Out of the box
A tonal colour palette of green greys is translated into three unique spaces with a clever wall feature and cosy, on trend styling... more
Setting the bar high
An intimate corner with an elegant bar cart and a cosy, layered blue setting makes for the perfect sophisticated spot... more
Greyscale
Transform your lounge into a film noir set with clever greyscale styling... more
Spanish revival
Take inspiration from Californian Spanish-style homes to create a conversation pit that’s a conversation piece in itself... more
Taking shape
Say hello to brave choices, with geometric shapes and creative patterns bringing homes to life... more
Ahead of the curve
This Art Deco inspired office nook features generous curves, warming saturated hues and graphic contrast for a space where creativity can flow... more
Sweet deco dreams
Curved or square, multicoloured or in your favourite hue, coloured headboards can make a stylish statement in a bedroom... more 
Green with envy
Create a room that’s sophisticated and grown-up without being stuffy or precious with deep emerald green... more
Brown is the new black
A tonal brown lounge proves it’s not just light, soft colours that can create a nurturing, soothing space... more
Get smart
A hallway with a smart black and beige colour palette is the perfect welcome note for a home’s entrance... more
Pretty in pinstripe
The ever-charming English countryside is practically synonymous with rest and relaxation... more
Latest inspiration in print
Pippa Ensor
Athfield Architects associate Pippa Ensor has worked in all three of the practice's studios... more
Ermanno Cattaneo
Ermanno Cattaneo works for Suzanne Turley Landscapes, where he creates bespoke residential landscapes; from Architecture NZ... more
Evening light
Create magical settings with deep moody Resene paint colours and dimly lit spaces; from Remix magazine... more
Modern mediterranean
Bring a touch of the Med home, with textured walls and living spaces that seamlessly link the indoor to the out; from Remix... more 
Carving a path
Hannah Jensen... this New Zealand artist is one to watch; from Denizen... more
Creating space
Indulge in curated spaces that are edited just for you, filled with objects you love, from Remix.. more
Colour play
The runway has all the inspiration you need this season, from Fashion Quarterly... more
Berry nice
Resene berry hues... a mood-enhancing splash of colour, from Mindfood... more
Resene Shed of the Year
Shed of the Year runner-ups use prize to splash colour on their New Plymouth garden projects, from NZ Gardener... more 
Natasha Markham
Founder of MAUD (Markham Architecture + Urban Design) and co-host of architectural podcast 76 Small Rooms, from Architecture NZ... more
Darryl Church
Darryl Church discusses nature, context and the process of integrating colour, from Architecture NZ... more
Nick Eagles
Collaboration, turning transience into sculpture and the importance of colour, from Architecture NZ... more
Colour Play
Tried and true schemes can teach us a thing or two, from NZ H&G... more 
It's only natural
Colours inspired by nature have a firm place in the work of these designers, from NZ H&G... more
Daniel Marshall
Modernity, Mexican architecture, surrealism and luminescence inspire this Auckland architect to create a moody and highly textural photograph, from Architecture NZ... more
Pick a path
Firmly rooted in nature, you can't go wrong with this key colour trend, from Mindfood Decor... more
Green light
Mother Nature has a knack for creating harmonious colour combos, from Mindfood Decor... more 
Annabel Cropper
Her day job is that of graduate architect at C Nott Architects but in her time off, Annabel blends graphic and object design with curiosity and architecture for the sake of large, sculptural objects, from Architecture NZ... more
Back to the chalkboard
Designer Karen Walker has dipped into her past to create her latest collection for Resene, from Denizen magazine... more
Buster Caldwell
In his time off, the creative director for the Wonder Group makes engaging art from photos of banal architecture, from Interior magazine... more
The colours of autumn, from Mindfood Decor...
Blush
The shade has become one of the most defining colours of the decade... more
Blue
Dark and dramatic colours have captured the imaginations of courageous colour lovers... more 
Grey
Grey is such a universal colour that you can easily dress it up to suit any season or style... more
Terracotta
For an elemental, nature-inspired colour with a truly contemporary feel... more
Ritual of dining
Celebrating the beauty of connection created through the ritual of dining, from Remix magazine... more 
Weather report
Rust is in this season. Add a touch of aged charm to your outdoor space with Resene's exciting new release, from Simply You Living... more
Captivating coral
Officially the colour of the year, according to Pantone, coral couldn't be more apt for summer, from Simply You Living... more
Moshin Mussa
We caught up with the RTA Studio associate to discuss colour and how it has influenced his design choicest, from Interior... more
Moody monochrome
Moody monochrome is a classic, elegant colour combination, from Mindfood Décor... more
Colours of Christmas
Wreaths, lights, ornaments … there's nothing like styling your home for the holidays, from Mindfood Décor... more
Hit the right tone
The modern interior is moving on from stark white or deep, moody colours. Instead, it's time we embraced the middleground, from Denizen... more
Mix & match
Colour combinations inspired by the coast, from Fashion Quarterly... more 
Charlotte Minty
Wellington-based interior designer discusses the colours of her childhood and how they still hold a place in her imagination, from Interior magazine... more
Dream in green
Shades of green are the hottest trend in interior design, from Mindfood Décor... more
Moroccan mood
Transform your interior with a little touch of Morocco, from Hotel magazine... more
Paint it black
In this contemporary take on the traditional farmhouse, a dark, Resene-rendered palette paints country living in a new light, from Denizen... more
Green scene
Fashion's love of greenery endures, so bring nature inside the home with lush and relaxing forest hues, from Simply You... more
Gerald Parsonson
We caught up with the award-winning, Wellington-based architect to discuss colour, the built environment and the sweet spot where the two meet, from Interior magazine... more
Colour is king
Throwing out the rule book and embracing shades of green, blue and blush, from Mindfood Décor... more
Still life
Take your winter colour palette cues from centuries past, bringing deep yet comforting... more
Tickled pink
Pink is no longer a gendered colour... It's warm, vibrant, from hotel magazine... more
Softly does it
For stylist Amber Armitage, soft and organic is the way to go, from NZ H&G magazine... more
Through falling leaves
Be inspired by Mother Nature's seasonal palette as summer leaves turn gold and amber beneath sweeps of grey-blue sky, from Simply You magazine... more
New beginnings
Ensure your home is as fresh as your wardrobe, from Fashion Quarterly... more
Dark matter
Transform your home into a moody paradise this winter, from Fashion Quarterly... more
Shades of grain
Wood is one of the world's oldest and most enduring materials, from Hotel magazine... more
Autumn tones
Warmth and depth with wood stains plus create a statement with bold colour from Remix magazine... more
You are here
Don't forget to look around and admire the epic beauty that surrounds us every day... more
Crisp in colour
Balance and harmony with the colour green plus fun with florals from Remix magazine... more
Coast to coast
Let a coastal palette wash over your home with these ideas from Simply You Living magazine... view
More colour, wallpaper and design trends
See the latest trends in paint colours and colour schemes; wallpaper and co-ordinating paint colours; curtains, cushions and co-ordinating paint colours as well as fashion forecasts from the runways for latest seasonal styles and colours.
