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Textured and timeless: Muros Wall Panels in a bold interior
Homeowners Jude and Adam have embraced the beauty of dark, dramatic interiors, transforming their living… more
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Create a cohesive space by choosing the same colours in wallpaper and paint. In this living roomResene Wallpaper Collection AS395012 is used on the upper wall.
A gorgeous slate blue-green, Resene Artemis, was used for this mud area, surrounded by walls in Resene Merino and trims in Resene Double Merino. Design by Marylou Sobel of Marylou Sobel Interior Design, image by Anson Smart.
In this living room, the walls are painted in Resene Sea Fog and side table inResene Blue Smoke adding a pop of colour to this mid-century colour scheme. Image by Jessica Weale.
This crisp white hallway is painted in Resene Merino with lower panelling and doors in Resene Alabaster creating the perfect backdrop for family photos. Design and image by Candace Schrader of Home Candy Interiors.
This gorgeous hallway is painted in Resene Paradiso with Resene Ming painted on top of Resene Wallpaper Collection RD576 on the lower half of the wallproviding texture and character. Design and image by Catherine Roberts.
The return of wainscoting: Get the perfect panel look in your home
Wainscoting – once a hallmark of traditional interiors – has found fresh life in contemporary homes. From sleek and sculptural panels to playful pops of colour and pattern, homeowners are embracing this timeless technique with renewed creativity.
Howeverdesigned, Resene’s wide range of paints, wood stains and wallpapers allows for endless design possibilities. If you’re looking to add architectural interest or protect your walls with style, these wainscoting designs might just inspire your next project.
Nature-inspired texture
Create a cohesive space by choosing the same colours in wallpaper and paint. In this living roomResene Wallpaper Collection AS395012 is used on the upper wall.
Bring nature indoors with a botanical wallpaper paired with tonal paint for a refined twist. Leafy greens bloom across the upper wall while the lower wainscoting is painted in a harmonious hue for a seamless yet distinct transition. Pair Resene Wallpaper Collection AS395012 with greens like Resene Spanish Green or Resene Cabbage Pont. The natural woodgrain texture of the furniture also complements the soft elegance of the leafy print, resulting in a calm, layered space – and one that feels ever so grounded. Use wood stains like ReseneColorwood Matai and ReseneColorwood Meranti on furniture and accessories for added depth.
Tip: Consider finishing the wainscoting in ReseneLustacryl semi-gloss for a touch of sheen that plays with the light and shows off the design.
Mudroom magic
A gorgeous slate blue-green, Resene Artemis, was used for this mud area, surrounded by walls in Resene Merino and trims in Resene Double Merino. Design by Marylou Sobel of Marylou Sobel Interior Design, image by Anson Smart.
Wainscoting isn’t just decorative – it’s practical too. In busy entryways or mudrooms, it can protect against scuffs and scratches while adding a tailored look. Painted tongue-and-groove panels in a serene shade like Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Bali Hai, Resene Wedgewood or Resene Bluff create a welcoming, organised nook. Think about adding built-in seating and storage to maximise function – you could also paint this in the same hue for a seamless design.
Tip: Durable enamels like ReseneEnamacrylor new plant-based Resene Waterborne Super Gloss are ideal for high-touch areas and easy to wipe clean.
Mid-century meets modern
In this living room, the walls are painted in Resene Sea Fog and side table inResene Blue Smoke adding a pop of colour to this mid-century colour scheme. Image by Jessica Weale.
This look leans into mid-century modern design with its use of clean-lined wooden panelling, warm tones and pared-back styling. Horizontal wainscoting like this – especially in rich timber stains such as ReseneColorwood Natural or ReseneColorwoodWalnut – evokes the streamlined interiors of the 1950s and ‘60s, where function met form in perfect balance. Paired with a classic leather sofa and abstract art, this living room is a fresh take on retro, combining earthy texture with modern flair. To create a crisp contrast, and also prevent the space from becoming too gloomy, opt for a classic white on upper walls with ReseneRice Cake or Resene Half Thorndon Cream.
Gallery wall glamour
This crisp white hallway is painted in Resene Merino with lower panelling and doors in Resene Alabaster creating the perfect backdrop for family photos. Design and image by Candace Schrader of Home Candy Interiors.
For a crisp and classic look, you can’t go past white-on-white. Wainscoting in Resene Sea Fog or Resene Alabaster offers a subtle layer of sophistication without overwhelming the space. To create a subtle contrast consider using a slightly darker strength of the same hue on upper walls – Resene Double Sea Fog or Resene Double Alabaster. The tonal white space and panels provide the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall, elevating family portraits and artwork alike.
Tip: Use ReseneLustacryl for a subtle semi-glosssheen that highlights the profile of the mouldings and brings a sense of polish to your hallway, especially when using all white.
An eye for colour
This gorgeous hallway is painted in Resene Paradiso with Resene Ming painted on top of Resene Wallpaper Collection RD576 on the lower half of the wallproviding texture and character. Design and image by Catherine Roberts.
In the home of an artist, every wall becomes a canvas, and that’s just what Catherine Robert did. Her hallway is a bold expression of colour and texture, with a fresh take on wainscoting painted in rich shades of turquoise and ceramic blue-green, creating a vibrant base. Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper CollectionRD576 is painted over for added depth and personality while the crisp black trim and flooring anchors the palette, creating striking contrast and a gallery-like effect. It’s a space that celebrates creativity, proving that wainscoting can be anything but traditional! If you’re feeling risky and ready for colour in your life, try bold shades like Resene Dauntless or Resene Guru paired with Resene Nero or Resene All Black.
Tip: When painting over textured wallpapers like those in the Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection, use a lowsheen or matte finish such as ReseneSpaceCote Low Sheen to enhance the texture without too much reflection. Always apply a coat of ReseneWaterborneVinyl Wallpaper Sealerfirst to ensure a smooth, even paint finish.
Whether you're after classic charm, contemporary edge or a creative colour statement, wainscoting offers endless possibilities for adding personality and polish to your walls. With the right mix of Resene paints, stains and wallpapers, this timeless technique becomes a versatile design tool that works in any home – half the wall, but all the impact!
For more paint and colour advice visit your local Resene ColorShop orAsk a Colour Expert online. Make sure to follow habitat by Resene on Instagram for more fresh and exciting inspiration.
Published: 17 Apr 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
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 Spanish Green
Resene Spanish Green
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
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.
