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This stylish and chic living room is painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Blackest Black, floor in Resene Stepping Stone, cabinet in Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Nero, large vase in Resene Element, small vase in Resene Foundry and wood board in Resene Blackest Black. Chair from Matisse, rug from Baya, Frame television from Samsung. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Melanie Jenkins.
The rough polish on this concrete floor pairs well with the black and white colour palette and gives a cool, industrial feel. The walls are painted in Resene Black, opposite walls and trims in Resene Black White and ceiling in Resene Half Black White. Image by Florence Charvin.
This crisp wall in Resene Black White contrasts well with the floor and trellis in Resene Nero. The drawer frame is painted in Resene Nero, with drawer fronts and pot plants in Resene Double Merino, Resene Atmosphere and Resene Quarter Gravel. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Melanie Jenkins.
This contemporary entertainers’ paradise, complete with resort-worthy spa pool, is finished with Resene Woodsman Crowshead. Continue the same black wood stain colour on your deck, fence, landscaping and weatherboards for a seamless look, Garden design by Sandra Batley of Flourish Garden Concept, image by Sally Tagg.
To complement the existing orange brick, this homeowner painted their exterior flashing and garage door in Resene Bokara Grey. The entrance pillars and walls surrounding the entryway are in Resene Merino, the patio is in Resene Walk-on tinted to Resene Stonehenge and the front door is in Resene Nero.
This stunning home is painted in the contrasting shades of Resene Bokara Grey and Resene Double Alabaster. Design by Jennian Homes.
Paint it black: Bold and brilliant ideas for using this dark shade at home
In New Zealand, we embrace the colour black with our sports teams, fashion and our homes! Black is a great colour choice for your home as it can be striking and modern as well as sit quietly and brilliantly in the natural environment outside. There are many types of black to choose from, and Resene has a dark hue suitable for every job. Check out these creative ways to use dark Resene shades in, on and around your home.
Ideas for inside
The rough polish on this concrete floor pairs well with the black and white colour palette and gives a cool, industrial feel. The walls are painted in Resene Black, opposite walls and trims in Resene Black White and ceiling in Resene Half Black White. Image by Florence Charvin.
The colour black can give your home an edgy feel, even if just used on one feature wall. When paired with a crisp white it creates a striking contrast, plus the use of neutrals allows you to add your own pops of colour and quirky décor or artwork and have it really stand out. This artwork of Mona Lisa is the perfect addition to this black wall, and some warm tones are also introduced through natural wood and rattan.
Try other shades like Resene Nero, a deep black with inky blue undertones, or Resene Blackjack, a leathery carbon black. Pair these with clean whites like Resene Alabaster and Eighth Black White.
This crisp wall in Resene Black White contrasts well with the floor and trellis in Resene Nero. The drawer frame is painted in Resene Nero, with drawer fronts and pot plants in Resene Double Merino, Resene Atmosphere and Resene Quarter Gravel. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Through the front door, it’s easy to make an impact by making the entranceway sophisticated, welcoming and clutter free, and you can do this by contrasting dark colours with a white wall. Try a bit of upcycling and turn an old drawer into a tiered plant holder, but don’t forget to place a watertight lining in each drawer to protect the furniture. Bringing plants inside connects your garden and home, making the transition between outdoor and indoor living seamless, especially when using black and white which can sometimes be far from nature itself.
For slightly more earthy and charcoal blacks, try Resene Double Foundry and Resene Double Cod Grey, and if you don’t want real plants in your home, add some touches of earthy green with colours like Resene Clover, Resene Paddock or Resene Dell.
This stylish and chic living room is painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen tinted to Resene Blackest Black, floor in Resene Stepping Stone, cabinet in Resene Lustacryl tinted to Resene Nero, large vase in Resene Element, small vase in Resene Foundry and wood board in Resene Blackest Black. Chair from Matisse, rug from Baya, Frame television from Samsung. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Black is an ideal shade for a living room or media room as it is jetter and thus absorbs more light than other colours. It’s a sophisticated and versatile choice, adding a sense of drama, contrast and elegance to the space, and also has the ability to create a cosy and intimate atmosphere when paired with warm, rich textures and materials. From modern and minimalist to traditional and eclectic, it can easily complement a wide range of interior styles, making it a flexible and enduring choice.
For the most depth and interest, try Resene Blackest Black for yourself. If you find this is too absorbing or bold for your space, try Resene Charcoal, Resene Black or Resene All Black instead.
Tips for selecting your finish: Try using a mix of different gloss levels for added visual texture. Matte finishes will absorb light and make the colour look darker, whereas semi-gloss or gloss finishes reflect the light and make the colour appear brighter and lighter. Black looks great in a flat or matte finish on walls, which will give it a velvety texture – try Resene SpaceCote Flat to get the look. High gloss black can be layered in through accents for added visual interest. Look to Resene Enamacryl waterborne enamel to get a gloss finish on furniture, trims or your front door.
Bold and beautiful exterior ideas
This contemporary entertainers’ paradise, complete with resort-worthy spa pool, is finished with Resene Woodsman Crowshead. Continue the same black wood stain colour on your deck, fence, landscaping and weatherboards for a seamless look, Garden design by Sandra Batley of Flourish Garden Concept, image by Sally Tagg.
Give your outdoor area a shot of dramatic flair by dabbling in a dark stain. Not only will a dark stain, such as Resene Woodsman Crowshead help to refresh faded timber, but it allows sunny gardens to shine. The addition of fungicide to Resene Waterborne Woodsman stains helps to slow the growth of moulds and moss - always important in potentially damp outdoor spaces.
The combination of dark wood and colourful styling is an easy way to modernise and update your deck, just in time for outdoor entertaining this summer. Try other dark, near black, wood stains like Resene Charred Black and Resene Pitch Black, along with complementary accent tones like bring green, yellow or orange – Resene Happy Hour, Resene Bright Spark and Resene California.
To complement the existing orange brick, this homeowner painted their exterior flashing and garage door in Resene Bokara Grey. The entrance pillars and walls surrounding the entryway are in Resene Merino, the patio is in Resene Walk-on tinted to Resene Stonehenge and the front door is in Resene Nero.
If you’re tired of dated orange bricks, a touch of paint around them can turn them into a contemporary and charming feature, especially if you’re using black. The front door was painted in Resene Super Gloss enamel tinted to Resene Nero to give it some added shine, while the garage door was painted in Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel tinted to Resene Bokara Grey. “I really love how the simplified colour palette turned the orange bricks from something I didn’t really like to something people always comment on,” homeowner Liam says.
This stunning home is painted in the contrasting shades of Resene Bokara Grey and Resene Double Alabaster. Design by Jennian Homes.
This Jennian show home in Mangawhai has a welcoming and open entrance with fabulous landscaping on both the property and street. Dark and black shades can really make greenery and landscaping stand out, like with this home and fence painted in Resene Bokara Grey. This stunning charcoal black is paired with Resene Double Alabaster which works to show off the angles of the home and breaks through the dark shades. Try other dark shades on your exterior like Resene Porter and Resene Element, paired with whites like Resene Sea Fog and Resene Black White.
Exterior tip: Ever thought your home would look great painted in a darker colour, but scared of the heat damaging the substrate or the building getting unbearably hot in summer? There’s a solution! Resene CoolColour technology makes painting exterior surfaces in darker colours both easier and safer. It can be used on all sorts of exterior materials and applications, from weatherboards and concrete to windowsills. A Resene CoolColour looks like a normal colour but thanks to special pigment technology it reflects more heat, so it doesn’t get as hot as a normal colour would.
For more advice on paints, colours and wallpapers head to your local Resene ColorShop or Ask a Resene Colour Expert online.
Published: 23 Nov 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Half Black White
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Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Quarter Gravel
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Foundry
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Cod Grey
Resene Double Alabaster
Resene Double Alabaster
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
