These are the top colour and decorating trends that will be shaping interiors in 2025

09 Sep 2024

It’s officially spring, whether it feels like it outside or not, and the new year is quickly approaching. With 2025 just a few short months away, you might be curious what colour and decorating trends are coming. For professional designers and architects, staying ahead of these changes is essential to creating spaces that resonate with clients and feel relevant in today’s design climate – and many of these design developments have been spurred by recent societal and cultural shifts. 

For starters, the demand for sustainable and eco-conscious materials is at an all-time high, reflecting a broader cultural push towards environmental responsibility. At the same time, technological advancements are seamlessly integrating into our living spaces, requiring a fresh approach to design that balances aesthetics with functionality.A growing focus on health and well-being is also influencing colour palettes and spatial layouts, with calming tones and biophilic elements becoming key features of many contemporary interiors. Additionally, the rise of highly personalised and expressive concepts are challenging traditional design norms as clients continue to expect more and more from the spaces where they live, work and play. 

Below, we take a closer look at the pivotal factors shaping interior colour and decorating trends that will be impacting projects throughout New Zealand and Australia in 2025, offer insights and inspiration for those eager to embrace what the future of design and highlight the top Resene colours to recommend to clients who are keen to stay on the cutting edge. 

Eco-awareness 

A growing awareness of environmental issues has been driving demand for sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices, and we expect this to become an even larger focus through 2025 and beyond. Natural, recyclable and ethically-sourced materials and Eco Choice-approved products are becoming increasingly popular. For companies looking to communicate their eco-conscious ethos outwardly to their own clientele, earthy tones like Resene Canterbury Clay, Resene Leather, Resene Tuscany, Resene Wasabi and Resene Eau De Nil and wood stains like Resene Colorwood Bark and Resene Colorwood Natural are likely to become more popular on public-facing projects. 

In addition to choosing Eco Choice-approved products, remember that specifying and using high-quality, durable Resene paints, stains and wallpaper can also help reduce the frequency of maintenance – thus reducing waste. 

Walls painted in Resene Thorndon Cream, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Bark, white vase in Resene Alabaster and plant pot in Resene Pioneer Red. Buffet and coffee table from Mocka, sofa, rug and artwork from Danske Mobler, pendant lamp from Lighting Direct, side table, amphora vase, throw, cushion, glassware and candles from A&C Homestore, books from Father Rabbit and Tessuti. 

Walls and large floor vase painted in Resene Meringue, built-in shelf painted in Resene Eau De Nil and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Bask. Artworks by Julia Holderness from Sanderson Contemporary, candleholder and candle from Faradays, sofa, cushion and curvy vase from Slow Store, chair, coffee table and floor lamp from Matisse, table lamp from ECC, rug from Baya.

Seamless tech 

Smart homes and technological advancements are influencing design choices. Homes are being designed with integrated technology, emphasising minimalist aesthetics that complement smart devices and systems. While metallic tones like Resene Proton and high-gloss finishes – especially in blacks like Resene Element – are relevant colours for tech-focused interiors, as we head in 2025, more and more clients will be looking for designs that incorporate technology seamlessly into their projects through customised furniture and millwork. For these projects, you’ll likely find yourself specifying dependable and durable formulas designed especially for painting furniture such as Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss enamel, Resene Enamacryl gloss waterborne enamel, Resene AquaLAQ cabinetry and shelving finishes and Resene Powder Coating far more frequently.

Along with other tech integrations, there has also been increased demand for seamless appliances in kitchens. The Samsung BESPOKE range of fridges and dishwashers can now be finished in your favourite Resene colour to fit in seamlessly or stand out boldly. Panels are sold separately so you can choose more than one favourite colour and mix and match your panels or have different panels for different seasons if you wish.  

Samsung BESPOKE French Door Fridge in Resene Eighth Ash. 

Sensorial textures 

Since the pandemic brought topics of wellness and mental health into focus, many clients continue to seek out designs that promote calmness and comfort for their residential homes, commercial workspaces and restaurant and hospitality projects. The demand for soft furniture in casual shapes that invite relaxation and tactile textures has continued to grow. 

Incorporating elements of biophilic design such as stained or colourwashed timber in gentle, natural tones like Resene Colorwood Driftwood and Resene Colorwood Becalm as well as serene paint colours like Resene Athena, Resene Secrets,Resene Comfortably Numb and Resene Rice Cake are essential for creating spaces that enhance relaxation and well-being. Limewash-style paint effects created with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium continue to be an extremely popular option for increasing the visual texture on walls, flooring and more. Where more tactile texture is needed, try Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect to give a textured finish to surfaces like walls, ceilings and décor. 

Upper wall painted in Resene Awaroa Bay, alcove in Resene Athena with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Solitaire applied on top. Sideboard from Mocka, sconce from Lighting Direct, artwork by Robyn Fleet from The Frame Workshop & Gallery, vase and plate from Republic Home, glassware from Briscoes. 

Wall finished in ReseneColorwood Becalm and floor painted in Resene Rice Cake. Sofa and ottoman from Ligne Roset, rug from Baya, table from Soren Liv, lamp from Faradays, artwork by Karyn Taylor (left) from Sanderson Contemporary, artworks by Lucy Rice (centre) and Jodi Clark (right) from Endemic World, shoes from La Tribe. 

Dramatic darks 

While there has been an emphasis on lighter paint colours over the past few years as a way of infusing interiors with a sense of levity, deeper and more dramatic paint colours are poised to make a major comeback.Neutral options like Resene All Black and ReseneFoundryand wood stains like ReseneColorwood Charred Black and ReseneColorwood PitchBlack have been go-to paint colours for creating smouldering lounges, media rooms, theatres and restaurants. However, as exposure to global influences through social media continues to become more prevalent, we expect to see more chromatic options like Resene Rebel, Resene Rewilding andReseneScoria break through as popular choices for clients seeking luxurious looks. 

Wall painted in Resene Rebel and floor in Resene Tua Tua. Chairs from Matisse, artwork by Julie Cromwell from Sanderson Gallery, lamp from ECC, rug from Baya, vase from Ligne Roset. 

Wall painted in Resene Rewilding and floor in Resene Rice Cake. Rug and sofa from Matisse, table from Soren Liv, artwork by Mickey Smith from Sanderson Gallery, glass from Tessuti, throw and shoes from Faradays. 

Individuality and personal expression 

There's a growing trend toward personalisation and self-expression in interior designwith many seeking unique, customised spaces that reflect their personality, leading to a mix of bold colours being used together within a single space – including combinations like Resene Valentine, Resene AviatorandResene Polo Blue. From painted accent walls and interior murals to custom furniture and artwork, more clients are discovering the limitless options that paint offers for making spaces uniquely their own in a way that’s both affordable and endlessly changeable as their style and tastes evolve. 

Walls painted inResene Valentine with stripe accent in Resene Aviator, floor in Resene Sea Fog. Bed and rug fromMocka, bench, lamp and sheets fromA&C Homestore, bedside table fromSoren Liv, artwork by Emile Holmewood from endemicworld, quilt from Alfie Home, pink pillowcasesfromFoxtrot Home, chambray cushion fromBaya, dark blue cushion and red bowl from Allium Interiors. 

Nostalgic influences

The revival of retro styles with a contemporary twist has been a significant theme throughout the year. Next year, the appetite for blending nostalgia with current trends is only expected to grow. While we expect to see plenty of people opt for incorporating 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s influences through their interior décor, the resurgence of colours that were definitive of those design eras is perhaps one of the most accessible ways to incorporate this trend. For example, brassy yellows like Resene Illuminate, which have a strong connection to the 70s, are among the top colour trend projections for 2025. When combined with rattan furniture, this cheerful colour lends a nostalgic nod without going full-on retro. 

Wall painted in Resene Illuminate. Bed and bedside drawers from Mocka, bedlinen from Dehei, artwork by Helen Dean from endemicworld, bowl from Citta, vases from Tessuti, perfume, cup and saucer from Father Rabbit, rug from Baya. 

For the latest colour, design and decorating trends, check out the latest issue of BlackWhite magazine. If you’re not on the mailing list, you can pick up a copy at your local ReseneColorShop, peruse the online version or sign-up to receive future issues free. 

projects Amber Armitage 
images Wendy Fenwick 

Published: 09 Sep 2024