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This classic white-on-white palette looks extra fresh with tropical plants and a mix of textures, including the woven basket, faux furs and the plywood flooring finished with Resene Colorwood Whitewash. The walls are painted Resene Double Black White, the benches and mirror frame are in Resene Quarter Rice Cake and the hat box and slatted crate are in Resene Sea Fog. Bag and tray from Città, rug from Lapco, linen basket and coat from Osborn, artwork by Amber Armitage. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Deep dark blue Resene Colorwood Woody Bay waterborne stain was used to colour the plywood wall of this wintery lounge. The floor and pendant lamp are painted in Resene Sea Fog, sideboard and coasters in Resene Casper, coffee table in Resene Indian Ink then wiped with a rag dipped in Resene Sea Fog for a washed look. The bowl, woven baskets and cork tealight holder are painted in Resene Felix, the tall vase is in Resene Indian Ink, the small vase is in Resene Sea Fog and the screen has been given a weathered look with a coat of Resene Sea Fog wiped over Resene Felix. Sofa, chair and rug from Freedom, blanket from Ezibuy, cushions from Città, artwork from esty/middlevillageshop. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Melanie Jenkins.
In this cool, relaxing space, the back wall is painted in Resene Quarter Surrender, left wall in Resene Americano, floor in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, face in Resene Grey Chateau, plinth and lamp base in Resene Santas Grey and tall vase in Resene Americano with splatters in Resene Grey Chateau. Sofa from Nood. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
These sunny yellow walls are painted in Resene Thumbs Up with a textured white tile splashback that turns a typical kitchen colour palette inside out paired with dramatic cabinetry in Resene Possessed. Project by Kate Peck from Kurio, image by Helen Bankers.
This entryway creates a warm welcome for guests, with the wall painted in Resene Biscotti with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream applied on top, floor in Resene Biscotti, table in Resene Quarter Doeskin, large vase in Resene Thorndon Cream, small vases in Resene Cement and Resene Oilskin, bowl in Resene Colins Wicket, basket in Resene Cement and coat rack stained in Resene Colorwood Ironbark with rocks sealed in Resene Concrete Clear gloss. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
In this warm, sunny room, the wall is painted in Resene Sunbaked, floor in Resene Earthen and grid vase in Resene Just Dance. The woven side table in Resene Thunder Road adds extra interest and works well against the boldness of the wall. Chair from Indie Home Collective, rug from Republic, cushion and throw from Furtex. Project by Claudia Kozub, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Warm vs cool: Deciding on the right colour palette for your home
Generally speaking, cool colours are blues, greens and purples, while warm colours are reds, oranges and yellows. However, it is possible to have a cool colour with a warm undertone and vice versa. For example yellows tinted with green, like Resene Mint Julep, will be cooler than yellows tinted with orange, like Resene Gin Fizz. Blues tinted with reds will be warmer than blues tinted with greens, and so on.
Warmth and coolness play a slightly more important role if you’re opting for a largely neutral backdrop. There are cool whites, such as Resene Black White and Resene Sea Fog, which will make your space feel crisp and bright, and warm whites, such as Resene Merino and Resene Half Pearl Lusta, which have a softer, more yellowy or creamy tone.
Cool whites work well in modern interiors with lots of windows and work well in bright, sunny rooms, while warmer whites work well in colder rooms and often suit older homes with smaller windows. Warmer shades are also a little more forgiving on less than perfect surfaces.
Let’s take a look at some warm and cool designs, so you can make the best decision of what colour palette you want for your home.
Keeping your cool
This classic white-on-white palette looks extra fresh with tropical plants and a mix of textures, including the woven basket, faux furs and the plywood flooring finished with Resene Colorwood Whitewash. The walls are painted Resene Double Black White, the benches and mirror frame are in Resene Quarter Rice Cake and the hat box and slatted crate are in Resene Sea Fog. Bag and tray from Città, rug from Lapco, linen basket and coat from Osborn, artwork by Amber Armitage. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Melanie Jenkins.
This white-on-white room is anything but dull. The great thing about using Resene whites and neutrals is being able to add your own personal touches through colourful accents, such as plants, rugs, furniture or artwork. You can also layer neutrals through using different strengths of one shade. For example, this space is painted in the cool shade of Resene Double Black White, but you could add Resene Quarter Black White, Resene Black White and Resene Triple Black White on other elements like the trims, ceiling, floor or décor to help break up the room while still remaining harmonious.
Try other cool whites like Resene House White and Resene Barely There, with cool toned flooring stained in Resene Colorwood Light Greywash or Resene Colorwood English Walnut.
Deep dark blue Resene Colorwood Woody Bay waterborne stain was used to colour the plywood wall of this wintery lounge. The floor and pendant lamp are painted in Resene Sea Fog, sideboard and coasters in Resene Casper, coffee table in Resene Indian Ink then wiped with a rag dipped in Resene Sea Fog for a washed look. The bowl, woven baskets and cork tealight holder are painted in Resene Felix, the tall vase is in Resene Indian Ink, the small vase is in Resene Sea Fog and the screen has been given a weathered look with a coat of Resene Sea Fog wiped over Resene Felix. Sofa, chair and rug from Freedom, blanket from Ezibuy, cushions from Città, artwork from esty/middlevillageshop. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Melanie Jenkins.
The often mentioned ‘rule’ that dark colours shouldn’t be used in small spaces unless you want the space to feel claustrophobic simply isn’t true – so feel free to break it. Look for colours with a cool base, which will visually recede, and pay attention to your lighting as it may need to be adjusted to suit your new colour palette. Don’t be afraid to break up the cool tones if you feel like they are becoming too overwhelming. It’s not a set rule that you have to stick to ‘only cool’ or ‘only warm’. Try adding some earthy reds and oranges, deep browns or mustard tones through cushions and accessories.
If you’re liking the cool colour choices in this room, try out some dark blues and slate greys like Resene Avalanche, Resene Coast, Resene Ebony Clay and Resene Grey Friars.
In this cool, relaxing space, the back wall is painted in Resene Quarter Surrender, left wall in Resene Americano, floor in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, face in Resene Grey Chateau, plinth and lamp base in Resene Santas Grey and tall vase in Resene Americano with splatters in Resene Grey Chateau. Sofa from Nood. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Using cool-toned shades in your home can create a calming and serene atmosphere. These colours are known for their ability to evoke a sense of tranquillity and promote relaxation, making them ideal choices for spaces where you want to unwind and de-stress. Aside from its unique and stylish Bauhaus inspired design, this room uses cool silver and grey tones to create a calm area to relax.
If you’re looking for some tranquil cool colours that feel like fresh rain or a dip in the ocean, try Resene Harp, Resene Nebula, Resene Sorrento or Resene Bounty.
Warm me up
These sunny yellow walls are painted in Resene Thumbs Up with a textured white tile splashback that turns a typical kitchen colour palette inside out paired with dramatic cabinetry in Resene Possessed. Project by Kate Peck from Kurio, image by Helen Bankers.
This home uses a happy and playful shade in the kitchen to create an inviting and warming space. A shade like Resene Thumbs Up is sure to embrace you like a warm hug in the morning and reflect the sunlight that pours in through the windows. You really can’t get much warmer than yellow, and there are many different intensities you can choose from ranging from subtle pastels like Resene Rum Swizzle and Resene Quarter Moonbeam, to deep honey shades like Resene Galliano and Resene Fuel Yellow.
This entryway creates a warm welcome for guests, with the wall painted in Resene Biscotti with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream applied on top, floor in Resene Biscotti, table in Resene Quarter Doeskin, large vase in Resene Thorndon Cream, small vases in Resene Cement and Resene Oilskin, bowl in Resene Colins Wicket, basket in Resene Cement and coat rack stained in Resene Colorwood Ironbark with rocks sealed in Resene Concrete Clear gloss. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
You can find a lot of ‘warm’ inspiration in nature. Think earthy tones, like the ones in this room, which also offer a textured look that is reminiscent of sand, clay and rock. Adding various elements and accents in different warm shades can create a stunning and cohesive effect, especially when you know which colours work well together. Use clear or lightly washed Resene finishes such as Resene Colorwood, Resene Colorwood Whitewash and Resene ConcreteWash on natural surfaces to allow the natural grain or patterning to show through. Try choosing different shades from the same colour cards, such as Resene Sazerac, Resene Negroni, Resene Manhattan and Resene Whiskey Sour.
In this warm, sunny room, the wall is painted in Resene Sunbaked, floor in Resene Earthen and grid vase in Resene Just Dance. The woven side table in Resene Thunder Road adds extra interest and works well against the boldness of the wall. Chair from Indie Home Collective, rug from Republic, cushion and throw from Furtex. Project by Claudia Kozub, image by Melanie Jenkins.
Painting a wall in a spicy orange shade like Resene Sunbaked is the ultimate commitment to a warm palette. Colours like this make you feel like you’re away on holiday, even in the middle of winter! If you’re going for a Mediterranean look, then terracotta or burnt oranges are the way to go. Add in natural elements like jute, ceramics and wool, and you’ve created the ultimate warm space that you will enjoy coming home to every day. For a similar feel, try other oranges like Resene Tuscany, Resene Moroccan Spice, Resene Ayers Rock and Resene Alert Tan.
With thousands of Resene shades to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect warm or cool tones to suit your style. You can, of course, mix the two together, it’s all about understanding which shades complement each other. Check out our advice on Understanding Warm and Cool Colours for more information. You can also ask our friendly staff at your local Resene ColorShop or Ask a Colour Expert for advice online!
Published: 11 Apr 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Moonbeam
Resene Quarter Moonbeam
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Doeskin
Resene Quarter Doeskin
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Moroccan Spice
Resene Moroccan Spice
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 Pearl Lusta
Resene Half Pearl Lusta
Resene Double Black White
Resene Double Black White
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Quarter Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Triple Black White
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Moonbeam
Resene Quarter Moonbeam
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Doeskin
Resene Quarter Doeskin
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Thorndon Cream
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Colins Wicket
Resene Moroccan Spice
Resene Moroccan Spice
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
