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This home is finished in Resene Double Akaroa, Resene Poppy and Resene Triple Blanc. Warm up your backyard with a palette of Resene Double Akaroa with Resene Kalgoorie Sands, Resene Tango, Resene Mexican Red and Resene Space Shuttle, painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Design by Lymesmith, images by Brett Boardman.
Choosing colours from the surrounding landscape, such as the bush, ocean, or dunes, is a great way to create a harmonious exterior design. This home, painted in Resene Casal, blends with the stunning views and nuances of Huia Bay. Design by Artis by Box TM, image by Sophie Heyworth.
White is always a popular exterior shade. It offers a timeless appeal that suits any home era. This home is painted in Resene Half Milk White, a pearly, modest hue, that pairs beautifully with the white bricks and warm wood tones. Build by Pritchard Building Ltd and Signature Homes, colour selection by Kelly Wright Interiors.
Two similar green shades have been used on the exterior: Resene Flax for the horizontal weatherboards and Resene Green Mist for the vertical cladding and battens. Trims are painted in Resene Villa White and timber decking is stained in Resene Woodsman Heartwood to create a connection between inside and out. Design and image by Russell Allen.
Street appeal: Exterior colours inspired by the great outdoors
If the outside of your home is looking a little rough and in need of some love, there’s no time like the present to give it a refresh. The cooler months are often the best time to search out the latest looks and start planning your exterior makeover. You can then break your project into smaller parts that you can work through one by one – some you may tackle when it’s cooler and some you can plan for the warmer months.
When it comes to choosing finishes for your exteriors, Resene Paint Expert Bryce McDermott says a good place to start is with the material your home is made of.
“Darker colours are very popular and if you want to go dark over timber with existing paint coatings, it pays to do adhesion tests on the paint before you start. If the coatings are weak, putting a new coating over the top can cause the older coatings to blister. It’s often best to strip old paint back to bare timber and start again to get the best life out of your paint job. Dark colours can cause movement of the timber as well.
“Resene CoolColour technology will help reduce movement and heat damage and keep the timber cooler than the normal colour.
“Take the time to do a yearly washdown with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash or Resene Bio-Cleaner – it will help your paint job last longer.”
Rays of sunshine
Wanting to inject some life into this award-winning courtyard, the design team at Lymesmith settled on a surprisingly impactful colour choice. The vibrant, earthy red, orange, pink and brown palette seems to wrap the garden in a warm embrace. This palette is a great option if you have an overshadowed or dark outdoor space that needs some warmth and energy. Paired with lush greenery, these sun-drenched shades create a personal retreat in your backyard.
This home is finished in Resene Double Akaroa, Resene Poppy and Resene Triple Blanc. Warm up your backyard with a palette of Resene Double Akaroa with Resene Kalgoorie Sands, Resene Tango, Resene Mexican Red and Resene Space Shuttle, painted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Design by Lymesmith, images by Brett Boardman.
“The wonderful thing about the coloured courtyard walls is how they are seen from inside the house, and how they produce interesting views and colour effects within the house,” says Sonia from Lymesmith. “The colour shines and spills, changing with weather, time of day and season.”
Ocean essence
To ensure this dwelling had the same impact as its breathtaking views of Huia Bay, homeowners Christopher and Sarah worked with Artis by Box TM to choose a stunning blue-green, Resene Casal, to reflect the coastal scenery as well as their personal taste. Upon arriving at the property, the vibrant colour evokes an immediate sense of tranquillity and relaxation that works in perfectly with the surrounding coastal landscape and native bush.
As well as creating a contrast that beautifully showcases the wood cladding, the vibrant colour infuses the home with unique personality and serves as a vivid reminder that even with a modest budget, colour can bring any vision to design.
Choosing colours from the surrounding landscape, such as the bush, ocean, or dunes, is a great way to create a harmonious exterior design. This home, painted in Resene Casal, blends with the stunning views and nuances of Huia Bay. Design by Artis by Box TM, image by Sophie Heyworth.
Top tip: Choosing a higher sheen finish, such as Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Hi-Glo gloss will make it easier to clean your exterior. If your surface is less than perfect, use a flatter or lower sheen such as Resene Lumbersider Matt or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen to help to hide imperfections.
A burst of light
This home shows how a warm white like Resene Half Milk White can elevate your home exterior, enhancing features like weatherboards and brick, to give your home the ultimate street appeal, especially great in an urban setting. When choosing the right white, remember the look of whites and neutrals will be affected by other elements nearby, like the colour of your neighbour’s house or the types of greenery in your garden. The sheen level of your painted finish will also affect how the colour reflects light. A low sheen paint such as Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen will give off a denser, muddier look, while a higher gloss finish such as Resene Hi-Glo will make your exterior look cleaner and brighter.
White is always a popular exterior shade. It offers a timeless appeal that suits any home era. This home is painted in Resene Half Milk White, a pearly, modest hue, that pairs beautifully with the white bricks and warm wood tones. Build by Pritchard Building Ltd and Signature Homes, colour selection by Kelly Wright Interiors.
Top tip: The sun makes colours look lighter outside than you might expect. Make sure you test your colours with Resene testpots. It’s often best to choose the darker of your favourite options as it will look lighter used outside.
Green machine
Soft greens like Resene Spanish Green, Resene Half Lemon Grass or Resene Rainee can evoke a serene and inviting mood. Pairing these shades with light trims, or even a dark accents like Resene Charcoal on the front door, adds interest and contrast. This palette works beautifully for homes nestled in greenery, creating an inviting and uplifting vibe.
Two similar green shades have been used on the exterior: Resene Flax for the horizontal weatherboards and Resene Green Mist for the vertical cladding and battens. Trims are painted in Resene Villa White and timber decking is stained in Resene Woodsman Heartwood to create a connection between inside and out. Design and image by Russell Allen.
Thinking of painting your exterior heading into the colder months?
Advice from Resene Paint Expert Bryce McDermott:
· Avoid painting in very cold conditions. A good rule is if your washing is not drying, your paint won’t either. Choose a day that has good clear weather conditions and a slight breeze.
· Start later and finish earlier; 10am until 2pm is generally good in winter. You need to give the paint a chance to dry and cure before nightfall. In warmer weather you can start earlier and finish later.
You can also focus on smaller projects that add colour right now as a quick way to update your backyard. Paint outdoor furniture and planters in bold fun colours that will give you a pick-me-up on dreary winter days. These projects can be easily painted in your garage and once dry re-positioned in your garden or on your deck.
Did you know? Resene Wintergrade Additive provides extra protection when painting in colder temperatures. Add to selected Resene waterborne topcoats and you can paint down to a chilly 3 ̊C. Surfaces like concrete can take longer to warm up than the air so make sure you give them time to defrost first before you start painting.
Wherever you call home, embrace the opportunity to make your exterior a true expression of your individuality with a striking and versatile palette. For more inspiration check out Resene’s exteriors decorating inspiration gallery. You can also pop into your local Resene ColorShop or Resene reseller for more exterior colour advice, Ask a Resene Colour Expert online for help or book a colour consultation with a Resene Colour Expert free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas.
Published: 12 Mar 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Double Akaroa
Resene Double Akaroa
Resene Kalgoorie Sands
Resene Kalgoorie Sands
Resene Space Shuttle
Resene Space Shuttle
Resene Half Milk White
Resene Half Milk White
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
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 Double Akaroa
Resene Double Akaroa
Resene Kalgoorie Sands
Resene Kalgoorie Sands
Resene Space Shuttle
Resene Space Shuttle
Resene Half Milk White
Resene Half Milk White
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Half Lemon Grass
Resene Half Lemon Grass
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
