The new cosy

Colour trends from NZ House and Garden magazine

Dusty pastels add soft warmth to a room.

Cosy colours are often stereotyped as deep reds or rich browns. Delicate Resene hues like palest pink, dewy green or crystalline blue are more unexpected, but these gentle tones are taking the lead. While darker shades still have their place, designers are redefining cosiness this year. Soft, dusty neutrals that form a lighter palette bring a new sense of warmth and a serene base that tenderly envelops the room. They create an atmosphere that feels just as comforting as stronger colours, inviting you to stay and to curl up with a good book. These ethereal colours are more sophisticated and refined than the pastels you might use in a child’s bedroom, and beg to be layered with floaty textiles and bedding as well as nostalgic touches such as scalloped and ruffled fabrics – and even a painted blossom mural.

Colours...