10 paint colours we’re obsessed with right now

The hottest paint colours right now are both grounding and ground-breaking. The focus this season is on renewal and nurturing with colours that are going back to nature with interior designers and homeowners alike embracing the understated power of ochres, soft olives and chalky greys. Whether you’re after your brown rusted, burnt or earthy, Resene has the perfect hue for you.         

More than ever, there is a desire for natural and calming spaces in our homes. A need to return to our roots has pushed us to look outside the window for colour inspiration. Popular favourites include dark orange tones, sweet muted yellows and grey-tinted beiges. 

Every space in our home has a different composition and availability of light, which can make it challenging to select the right colour for every room. These paint picks will point you in the right direction and help you select the right colour for your space without sacrificing modern trends.

Resene Waiouru

This relaxing space is brought to life with Resene Waiouru walls and floor in Resene Bubble N Squeak. The Resene Napa chest of drawers complements the colourful plant pots in Resene Sunbaked and Resene Double Ash. Project by Annick Larkin. Image by Bryce Carleton.

What it looks like: Deep olive hues are back and Resene Waiouru is one of our favourites. This rustic green is rich and timeless, swallowing light to create a moody atmosphere.

Where to use it: Resene Waiouru works in smaller spaces that have an abundance of light. Cottage conservatories and living room nooks are great spaces to use this murky green.

Best friend colour: Pair Resene Waiouru with accents of Resene Caper; a lighter herbal green that still holds considerable depth.

Resene Nocturnal


Resene Nocturnal walls, skirting and shelf create a moody atmosphere in this bedroom. The floor is in light grey Resene Viktor and the timber side table is in Resene Organic. Bedlinen from Wallace Cotton and olive cushions and throw from Cotton On Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens. Image by Wendy Fenwick.

What it looks like: Resene Nocturnal is the new black. It has a rich composition of dark grey and moody black tones, making it an atmospheric choice for your space.

Where to use it: Use Resene Nocturnal in the bedroom to create a space that absorbs the light and enhances the cosy, relaxing nature of the room.

Best friend colour: Highlight Resene Nocturnal with near-whites and silky greys such as Resene Half Atmosphere.

Resene Eighth Stonehenge


This bedroom has a stylish finish with the main wall in Resene Eighth Stonehenge and return wall in Resene Half Gin Fizz. The floor is in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash and the slatted headboard is in Resene Double Stonehenge. The shelf is in Resene Ebony Clay. Project by Kate Alexander. Image by Bryce Carleton.

What it looks like: Changeable and muted, Resene Eighth Stonehenge is greige in tone. The combination of grey and beige mean that this grey can be used to easily warm up a space. 

Where to use it: Resene Eighth Stonehenge can add a sleek touch to your bedroom walls or living area. Its light saturation also makes it a good accent to accompany white kitchen walls.  

Best friend colour: Bring out the warmth of Resene Eighth Stonehenge with surrounding walls in Resene Half Gin Fizz; a modest sunlight and flaxen hue. Choose accent colours in darker Resene Stonehenge for vases or bedside tables. 

Resene Bronze


This creative wall uses Resene Bronze on the lower half and Resene Triple Wheatfield on the top half with a simple sponge stencil accenting the dividing line. The large pot is in Resene Wood Bark. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner. Image by Melanie Jenkins.

What it looks like: Resene Bronze is a raw, earthy brown. With hints of sugar, this brown is rich and deep.

Where to use it: Use Resene Bronze in your home’s mudroom or laundry area. Its strong tone will add a taste of elegance to the space (and will also help disguise any marks or fingerprints of little hands).

Best friend colour: An entire wall in brown can be overwhelming to the eye, so use Resene Bronze on smaller areas of your home for maximum impact. Pair it with Resene Coconut Cream for an exotic feel.  

Resene Smoke Tree


If you have trouble caring for plants, why not paint them on the wall. This continuous line mural of succulents is painted in Resene Midnight Express onto the Resene Rice Cake wall– a bold contrast with the tongue-and-groove panelling in bold orange Resene Smoke Tree. Floor in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, coffee table and large pot and round vase in Resene Felix and coasters in Resene Bunting. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston. Image by Bryce Carleton
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What it looks like: Orange meets red in this punchy hue. Resene Smoke Tree’s tonal makeup makes it the perfect companion to both dark, sombre colours or brighter colours.

Where to use it: Resene Smoke Tree is high energy and is best used in areas of constant movement including the kitchen, living area or hallway.

Best friend colour: Resene Smoke Tree is a unique hue that can be paired with earthy tones such as Resene Rock Spray and Resene Nullarbor or contrasting colours such as Resene Midnight Express. Pairing the orange hue with these darker colours will bring depth to the space.

Resene Canterbury Clay


Resene Canterbury Clay walls create a light and airy atmosphere. The floor is painted in Resene Eighth Joss and the lattice is in Resene Eighth Pavlova. The large pot is in Resene Beethoven and the bedhead is in Resene Eighth Joss. Project by Melle Van Sambeek. Image by Bryce Carleton. 

What it looks like: Resene Canterbury Clay is a muted French beige. It’s a colour that floats between light brown and warm neutral.

Where to use it: Resene Canterbury Clay is versatile and works as well in the kitchen as it does in the bedroom by bringing a calm warmth to the space.

Best friend colour: Resene Canterbury Clay looks best when paired with white or light olive accents. Resene Dingley is a quiet green that works well as an accent and won’t detract from the presence and warmth of Resene Canterbury Clay.

Resene Ravine


The deep Resene Ravine wall of this office contrasts with the inner square in Resene Pumice. The desk and bookshelf are in Resene Blue Smoke and the chair is in light Resene Harp. The rubbish bin is in Resene Armadillo and the ladder is in Resene Pewter. Project by Vanessa Nouwens. Image by Wendy Fenwick.  

What it looks like: Resene Ravine is a mossy stone colour; grey in tone with a hint of dry green.

Where to use it: Resene Ravine is great for areas of focus. It not only works well in home office spaces but can also achieve a sense of calm in areas such as the bathroom where a colder, cleaner colour is important.  

Best friend colour: The depth of Resene Ravine complements lighter greys and black-edged whites such as Resene Half Sea Fog.

Resene Double White Pointer


Homeowners Sarah and Nick created a cosy haven in their home with Resene Double White Pointer walls and Resene Rice Cake trim.

What it looks like: Resene Double White Pointer is a changeable beige and a splash of calm on a cloudy day.

Where to use it: Resene Double White Pointer is incredibly versatile and can be used effectively in larger spaces such as open plan kitchen/dining areas, living rooms or bedrooms. 

Best friend colour: The warm nature of Resene Double White Pointer is a great addition to any neutral palette and works well with Resene White and grey-olives such as Resene Half Talisman.   

Resene Korma


This two-tone wall uses Resene Dark Buff on the rear wall and Resene Korma on the shelf wall. The floor is in Resene Eighth Drought and the DIY artwork and short vase are in Resene Gold Coast. Project by Gem Adams. Image by Wendy Fenwick.

What it looks like: Resene Korma is a spicy mustard brown. Its popularity lies in its ability to act as both a warm terracotta and a brown, depending on the décor it is paired with.  

Where to use it: Use Resene Korma in the living areas of your home to create a sense of warmth and depth. Resene Korma changes with the amount of natural light and can enrich smaller areas of your home such as parlours, cellars or large pantries.  

Best friend colour: To achieve a warm brown tone, pair Resene Korma with deep blues such as Resene Aviator. If you’re after more terracotta tones, try redder accents of Resene Beethoven or Resene Vibe.

Resene Chenin


This yellow room pairs a Resene Chenin wall with a floor in Resene Mellow Yellow. The cabinet is in Resene Double Spanish White. Project by Vanessa Nouwens. Image by Bryce Carleton.

What it looks like: Resene Chenin is a muted yellow. Its mellow hue is created through a combination of citrus and buttery tones.  

Where to use it: Use Resene Chenin in smaller spaces such as laundries or a kitchen splash backs to create a pop of colour and light. This happy yellow hue can also add a splash of colour to living rooms and guest bedrooms. 

Best friend colour: Resene Chenin can create a striking look when paired with other muted primary colours. Try a red-tinged Resene Old Copper or deep blue Resene Elephant.    

Searching for inspiration? Try the colour/room filer on Habitat by Resene to help find the perfect style or colour combo for your next room renovation. Scroll to the top of the page to find out.

Published: 05 Nov 2021

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Eighth Stonehenge

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Resene Canterbury Clay

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Resene Double White Pointer

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