Homeowner Laura was not afraid of using colour when designing her home. This unexpected ribbon mural in her hallway was painted in one day using Resene Toffee, Resene Paper Doll, Resene Cutty Sark and Resene Swamp. The main walls are painted in Resene Alabaster and ceiling in Resene Half Alabaster. Image by Jane Ussher.

This hallway is painted in Resene Merino. The detailing on the lower panelling and doors is highlighted in a lighter white, Resene Alabaster. This mix of neutrals creates a canvas to help showcase a gallery of family photos. Project and image by Candace Schrader, Home Candy Interiors.

This transitional hallway is a perfect expression of that classicism, and also functional with added storage. The walls are painted in Resene Wan White and ceiling painted in Resene Half Wan White. “We wanted to create a home with colours that were classic and wouldn’t date,” says homeowner Sarah. “We didn’t necessarily look to what’s in style or on-trend now because we wanted that longevity.” Project by Davey Constructions, image by Brock Beazley.

This bright hallway, or ‘breezeway’, connects its tenants with the outdoors as they move through the home and the colours are perfectly chosen to mimic the surrounding environment. The walls and ceiling are painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream with an added neutral green on doors in Resene Double Lemon Grass. Get a natural look on timber trims and surfaces with Resene Colorwood Natural. Project by Bryant Alsop, build by Everclear, image by Jack Lovel.

This hallway was restored with a nod to its original charm, featuring a native wooden floor and stain glass windows. The bottom of the hallway walls offer added texture and are wallpapered with Resene Wallpaper Collection RD125, an Anaglypta pattern painted with Resene Quarter Powder Blue. The upper walls are painted in Resene Double Sea Fog. The ceiling is painted in Resene Geyser with cornice, trims and doors in Resene Black White. Project by Barbara Lawson of Homes Created, image by David Leggott.

This hallway has a subtle base with the beautiful pink shade of Resene Cherub, pairing well with the pink tones in the artwork. One side of the hall also features Resene Wallpaper Collection 12382 for a dash of contrast and drama. The trims are painted in Resene Black White. Project and image by Rachel Covey.

This hallway is painted in Resene Half Emerge, a misty, water green that shows its true colours when paired with whites and neutrals, like Resene Alabaster on these trims. This shade also works well with lighter wood stains like Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and Resene Colorwood Whitewash. Project and image by Nicole Van Ruler.

For just a dash of colour try using a brighter tone you’ve always wanted to try on your front door, while keeping the rest of your hallway neutral. In this hallway, the cooler tones of Resene Milk White on the walls and trims are warmed with the soft hallway lighting and bold yellow front door painted in Resene Bright Spark. The wooden hall floor is coated in Resene Qristal ClearFloor 1K, a strong and durable product for high foot traffic areas, with the perfect amount of sheen. The timber ceiling is stained in Resene Colorwood Dark Rimu and doors are coated in Resene Aquaclear. Project and image by Russell Allen.

Although these walls are painted in a cool neutral, Resene Half Concrete, it’s the personal art and décor that makes this hallway unique. A striking lime green rug lines the space, leading the way through a gallery-like space adorned with Rachel’s work. Project by artist Rachel Rush, image by Layton Woodcroft.

Artists can surely teach us a thing or two about not being afraid to use colour. Catherine Roberts’ one-of-a-kind hallway is painted in Resene Paradiso with Resene Ming painted on top of Resene Wallpaper Collection RD576 providing texture and character. The laundry room running off the hallway features Resene Wasabi. Project and image by Catherine Roberts.