6 trending colour palettes to get you in the mood for spring

15 Sep 2020

As the weather finally begins to warm, both designers and clients alike are being drawn to decorating with different colours. For as long as humans have been decorating, we’ve been sensitive to our need to mark the season that’s synonymous with new growth and renewal by cleaning and updating our homes and buildings.

If you’re seeking some fresh picked inspiration for your next project, look no further than these trending Resene colour palettes. 

Celery green + bitter citrus

Pairing Resene Aura with Resene Jailbreak, Resene Spring Fever and Resene Soothe may seem like a bit of a quirky combination, but it’s also a very appetising one – making it ideal for a kitchen, restaurant or dining area. These colours also look right at home in a creative office space, as while Resene Jailbreak and Resene Spring Fever are certainly energising, they’re also toned down just enough to keep them from being distracting when used strategically. To increase the calm, play up soft Resene Soothe instead and bring in a lick of a muted indigo like Resene Time After Time.

Background in Resene Aura, large bowl in Resene Spring Fever, triangular dish and tiny vase in Resene Jailbreak, tea light holder and taper candle in Resene Soothe and vase with greenery in Resene Time After Time.

Peach sorbet + character neutrals

A quintessential palette for a café, peachy Resene Tacao looks delicious on the floor of an eatery or as a statement wall hue when offset with a layered tonal palette of complex character neutrals like Resene Crowdpleaser, Resene Shabby Chic and Resene Just Dance. Add a few restrained hints of creamy cocoa Resene Route 66 and soft carbon Resene Porter to break things up and there won’t be a single patron that’ll want to pass up on dessert.

Background and bowl in Resene Tacao with plate in Resene Crowdpleaser and vases (clockwise from top) Resene Just Dance, Resene Porter, Resene Tacao, Resene Shabby Chic and Resene Route 66 and spoons in Resene Route 66 and Resene Shabby Chic.

Watery blues + olive greens + greyed white

Nothing says warm weather is here quite like beachy blues. You can’t go wrong with a colour palette inspired by nature, which means Resene Breeze and Resene Lynchpin are an optimal duo to balance earthy olive greens like Resene Kelp and Resene West Coast. The combo demands a greyed white over a crisp, true one so go for Resene Triple Black White over a brighter option. These colours work well together in literally any room of a residential home, or in a relaxing day spa, public pool or library.

Background in Resene Breeze with painted objects in (clockwise from top) Resene Triple Black White, Resene Kelp, Resene Lynchpin (this colour is being renamed from Resene Lynch) and Resene West Coast.

Earthy neutrals + golden caramel

In a world that’s been topsy turvy as of late, it’s no surprise that moss, sage and other earthy neutrals like Resene Eagle, Resene Hemlock, Resene Moon Mist and Resene Black Canvas have been all the rage this year thanks to the chilled out and comforting vibes they expel. Complementing them with plenty of woven textures and touches of caramel yellow like Resene Hot Toddy and slate blue like Resene Possessed will give you a palette flexible enough to adorn anything from a yoga studio to an office space to a casual bistro – or anywhere else that you want to infuse with a breath of calm.

Background in Resene Eagle with painted objects in (clockwise from top right) Resene Hemlock, Resene Blank Canvas, Resene Hot Toddy, Resene Moon Mist and Resene Possessed.

Glassy pastels + inky blue

Chic crystalline pastels like Resene Umber White, Resene First Light, Resene Cashmere and Resene Pewter are elevated when they’re given a glamourous glossy finish (try them in Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel), mixed with shiny gold or brass metallics, and offset with an elegant inky blue like Resene Dark Knight. These hues scream to be applied to ultra-contemporary or neo-Art Deco forms. Throw in a smidgen of Resene Olive Green and you’ve got a palette that’s perfect for a high-end salon, café, clothing store or formal bedroom.

Background in Resene Umber White with tray in Resene Pewter and vases in (clockwise from left) Resene Dark Knight, Resene Cashmere, Resene Olive Green and Resene First Light.

Dusted denim + tropical punches

A bach, a casual restaurant or an energetic co-working space could all benefit from this fun yet sophisticated colour palette of steely blue Resene Excalibur uplifted with pops of teal Resene Yowza, coral Resene Cabaret, mango Resene Hero, pink Resene Shilo and yellow Resene Thumbs Up and Resene Chorus Line. If you’re thinking of using them in a space with more traditional architecture, such as a renovated villa, be sure to balance them with a cool off white such as Resene Half Sea Fog on trims and furniture.

Background in Resene Excalibur with painted accessories in (from top right to bottom left) Resene Chorus Line, Resene Shilo, Resene Thumbs Up, Resene Hero, Resene Cabaret, Resene Yowza and Resene Excalibur.

styling Laura Lynn Johnston, Leigh Stockton

images Bryce Carleton

Published: 15 Sep 2020