Back to basics

Punchy primary colours are trending in the interior world, a joyful rebellion against traditional ‘adult’ tones for living spaces.

This vibrant trend has swept through Scandinavian homes with an unapologetic boldness, and has landed on Australian and New Zealand shores. Infusing rooms with a playful spirit, the primary colour trend is all about embracing the core hues of the spectrum: red, blue and yellow. These building blocks of colour theory are making a cheerful return to our homes this season. Designers are turning to these saturated reds, punchy blues and bold yellows to create interiors that are full of life and character – think Resene Guardsman Red, Resene Bright Spark and Resene Spinnaker. The resurgence of primary colours is a departure from the muted and often subdued palettes that have tended to dominate interior design for the last few years.

Primary colours are the purest form of colour, untainted by the addition of white, black or any other hues. They are the colours we first learn as children; their reappearance in interior design brings with it a decent hit of nostalgia. These tones can take us back and remind us of playfulness – there’s a certain joy in bringing them back into our adult lives. Who said grown-up spaces had to be muted and serious?

The use of primary colours in interior design is often associated with a blockish, Mondrian-like aesthetic. The Dutch painter, known for his abstract works featuring bold primary colours and black lines, has long influenced design trends. This style is characterised by its simplicity and use of colour blocks, which has been consistently used in homes by designers to create a look that’s both modern and timeless. Scandinavian design has also played a significant role in the resurgence of primary colours. Known for its minimalist approach and muted colour palettes, Scandinavian design often incorporates bold hues in a way that adds a pop of vibrancy without overwhelming the space. Scandinavian designers have mastered the art of balancing bold primary colours with softer, neutral tones, creating interiors that feel both chic and lively.

Primary colours are high saturation, so they work best when introduced as the sub-dominant or accent colour, taking up a smaller percentage of the room. This approach ensures that the hues enhance the space without overpowering it. Existing colour palettes and styles can absolutely be paired with primary hues to create a vibrant look. For instance, primary colours will complement neutral tones like Resene Black White, Resene Half Gull Grey or Resene Double Merino that may already exist in your home, adding a lively touch to a subdued palette.

Creating a dining room influenced by primary colours can be a delightful design challenge. The key in this Scandi-influenced space above was to choose one predominant, hero primary shade – blue, using Resene Casper and Resene Waikawa Grey – and contrast it with another – red, using Resene Guardsman Red.

To keep the space light and open, we chose Resene Half Blanc for the top half of the walls, a soft, Parisian neutral. Our tongue-and-groove wall in Resene Casper feels fresh beneath the crispness of Resene Half Blanc. A dado rail in soft white Resene Alabaster offers a classic, understated transition between the two wall colours and enhances the room's Scandi elegance.

Resene Guardsman Red is our second primary pop. This shade of red is bold and confident, drawing the eye and adding a sense of warmth and vibrancy. We painted the dining table legs in Resene Guardsman Red, its top in Resene Waikawa Grey, a mid-toned chalky grey blue. The two-toned table adds depth and a sense of joy to the room, with the bold red legs providing a strong grounding element. A shelf painted in Resene Guardsman Red again adds a sense of height to the space and ensures the room feels cohesive.

A lamp with a base in Resene Alabaster and stripes in Resene Guardsman Red adds a playful touch. The combination of the soft white base and bold red stripes creates a great contrast, making the lamp a statement piece. A sideboard in Resene Alabaster with outlines in Resene Waikawa Grey is practical and chic. We opted for quiet neutrals to allow the dining table to have its moment as the star piece.

To introduce a little green, we added a planter and a hanging light in Resene Japanese Laurel. This deep green provides a natural, calming element, balancing the boldness of the primary colours. A bowl of lemons in Resene Casper adds a cheerful pop of yellow, enhancing the room's overall sense of joy.

Resene Bleached Riverstone on the floor complements our bright reds and pale blues. This neutral, light grey hue offers balanced contrast that enhances the vivid colour palette. Bright reds like Resene Guardsman Red bring warmth and energy to a space. However, without the right grounding elements, red can become overpowering. Resene Bleached Riverstone provides a calming counterpoint here. This subtle grey tone absorbs and diffuses light, preventing the reds from becoming too intense.

Our top tips to adding primary colours to a room in a way that feels Scandi-chic:

1. Be selective: Use primary colours sparingly as accents rather than the main colour. If you're using all three primary colours together in a room, keep it sophisticated by using your colours minimally and selecting a hero hue.

2. Mix with neutrals: Pair primary colours with neutral tones like white, grey, and beige to create a balanced and sophisticated look. Resene Half Blanc, Resene Black White, Resene Half Gull Grey and Resene Double Merino are all good options.

3. Choose minimalist furniture: Opt for simple, clean-lined furniture pieces to maintain a sleek and modern aesthetic that allows the primary colours to stand out.

4. Tie it all together: Add artwork in similar primary tones like we have in this dining space, referencing our blues in Resene Waikawa Grey and Resene Casper.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Melle Van Sambeek. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024