While dark looks have been dominating design trends lately, too much of a good thing could leave you with a room that seems more like a cavern than a cocoon. To keep smouldering hues from swallowing up the space, take some inspiration from this sophisticated lounge which balances things out with softer shades and mixes in plenty of texture. Soft yet dramatic, it seems like the perfect place to tuck in with a book and wait for winter to run its course. Layers of cognac-coloured accessories in Resene Route 66 and Resene Barnstorm with hints of creamy Resene Poured Milk offset the near black walls and timber floors in Resene Suits. The smoky side table and basket in Resene Thunder Road and Resene Rebel layered alongside highly-textured textiles in toasted marshmallow and toffee tones create a rich look that is steeped in depth.
Use deep terracottas to bring warmth and cosiness to dark hues.
Other colours to try with near black β soft pastels such as lilacs, baby blues or peachy pinks...
Sticking to a single colour may seem like an easy way to decorate, but it can take a bit of finessing to really nail a tone-on-tone look. Since these schemes are built on layering, the more you add, the more it will all hang together. The trick is to pick hues with enough variation to keep things from becoming completely homogenous. While this restful bedroom is certainly spilling over with similar shades of silvery green, itβs the clever use of repetition and contrast that really make it work. The lofty white walls and floors in Resene Alabaster have been grounded with a unique painted headboard in Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Peace and Resene Helix that echoes the rectilinear shapes of the pillows. The bedside table in Resene Helix and the lamp in Resene Silver Chalice carry the tones from the walls into the rest of the room while the charcoal cushion and velvet chair break things up visually.
Use matte finishes, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, to soften a tone-on-tone palette.
Other colours to try with soft silver-greens β dark jewel tones such as emeralds, sapphires and rubies...
Aqua is at the front edge of trending interior colours at the moment for walls, painted furniture, accents and even fabrics. From light versions like Resene Freelance to saturated shades like Resene Deep Teal, you can almost never go wrong with opting to decorate with beautiful blue-greens. These dark walls in Resene Atlas with a door and architraves in Resene Indian Ink create a cocooning effect while the Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash floor provides balance to keep the deep colours from overwhelming. The top of the coffee table pops in Resene Yowza while the legs have been painted watery Resene Wishing Well. A mix of metallic accents in gold and copper and the petrol blue velvet sofa add to the luxury of the look while the vibrant tray in Resene Yowza and soft blue vases in Resene Mystery and Resene Meditation make the space a standout.
Use matte finishes, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, to soften a tone-on-tone palette.
Other colours to try with pops of aqua β dark violet-blues, rich ruby reds or sharp yellow-whites...
▸ Download this article as a PDF
Habitat – colour trends with Resene
Be inspired by the latest seasonal colour trends. Discover what's new this summer, autumn, winter and spring...
View more Habitat trends | View more latest looks