Reader roundup: Home projects to admire!

25 Feb 2026

From sunny outdoor spaces to bold hues indoors, these habitat readers are showing us how it’s done! If you’ve been considering adding some colour to your home, you’re sure to get some inspiration from other homeowners here.

Remember we love to see your finished projects, so please email us some photos and the Resene colours and/or Resene wallpapers you’ve used to [email protected].

Suzanne has just transformed her bathroom into a modern beauty using the grey blue tone of Resene Watermark. “I was so nervous about going for a darker colour, especially since the hubby wanted white walls, but it looks amazing and we are so pleased,” she says. “Even the builder and painters were surprised!”

Tip: For wet areas like bathrooms, use the Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range in your chosen colour. Combining MoulDefender and anti-bacterial silver, it’s durable, prevents moisture damage, inhibits bacterial growth and is approved by Sensitive Choice® for healthier homes.

Charmaine’s home has had a lovely transformation with the help of her family. “I'm heading further of 83 years,” she says. “About a year ago 31 members of my family, including my 6 children, spent a long weekend here and refurbished my living area. It looks amazing.” Her house now has pops of colour with Resene Dark Buff in the living room, Navigate on the kitchen cabinetry and White on the ceiling.

Tip: For kitchen cabinetry, use Resene Lustacryl Kitchen & Bathroom paint in your chosen colour. And, be sure to prime surfaces first with Resene Waterborne Sureseal or Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer.

This habitat reader refreshed their outdoor pergola for summer. Gone from a dated white to a gorgeous soft green, Resene Green Meets Blue, it now blends in beautifully with the outdoor landscape and matches their patio in the same hue.

Tip:For outdoor projects, like pergolas, use Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, or for stains, use Resene Waterborne Woodsman Wood Oil Stain. If you’re going for a darker paint or stain, use the CoolColour variants, which use special pigment technology to reflect more heat than standard colours. This keeps the pergola timber cooler, which helps reduce the risk of wood warping, cracking or cupping in hot summer conditions.

Debbie refreshed her garden chairs. Once looking old and tired, they are now painted in Resene New Denim Blue, a shade for both classic and modern homes. The new look gives a Hampton’s feel, with matching cushions for a cohesive look.

Tip:If you’re painting wicker or cane furniture, be sure to prime with one coat of Resene Quick Dry first, then apply two coats of Resene Enamacryl or Lustacryl in your chosen colour.

“Tucked away in my backyard is my garden shed, adorned with hand-painted sunflowers in Resene,” says homeowner Grace. “These cheerful blooms bring the space to life, making the garden feel vibrant and bursting with energy.”

For more paint and colour advice, visit your local Resene ColorShop or Ask a Colour Expert online.

Published: 25 Feb 2026