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Walls in Resene Brown Pod, floor in Resene Colorwood Bark, artwork in Half Sour Dough, Toffee and Brown Pod. Table, chair and rug by Soborg Mobler from Good Form. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Resene Change Is Good Wallpaper Collection 379913.
Muros rock feature panels painted in Resene Bokara Grey. Custom bedhead by Paul Tunley Furniture & Upholstery.
Front wall painted in Resene Rewilding, back wall in Creme De La Creme, floor in Resene Tic Tac Toe with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Springtime. Chair and bookshelf from Bauhaus. Design by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Plywood walls and table finished in Resene Aquaclear with Colour Enhance Japan Black added, floor in Qristal ClearFloor with Colour Enhance Japan Black, side walls painted in Black Sand. Rug from Freedom, chairs from Mr Bigglesworthy. Design by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Dark matters
Dark colours have their own way of completely changing the mood of a room. Rich browns, inky blues, earthy greens and bold greys can all make a space feel cocooning and intimate. They also bring a sense of depth that you might find lighter palettes just can’t quite reach.
Whether you’re colour drenching with a dark paint or stain, or perhaps considering a dramatic feature wall, cabinet or trims, Resene’s moody hues prove there’s plenty to love, and nothing to fear, about joining the dark side.
Take the plunge
A dark wallpaper can turn a simple wall into a dramatic focal point, which, in a bathroom, is a design delight when you’re placing a luxe bath or statement vanity in front of it.
Wallpaper can allow pattern and texture to be the impact maker, without relying on bright colour. In bathrooms, both big and small, a moody design can feel particularly luxurious, offering a spa-like feel where you can hide away at the end of a long day.
Consider picking out a dark tone from within the wallpaper for surrounding walls to create a cohesive design – and some low lights will most certainly add to the ‘after dark’ ambiance.
Resene Change Is Good Wallpaper Collection 379913.
Other dark designs to try are (from left) Resene Gilded Wallpaper Collection 340126, Resene Change Is Good Wallpaper Collection AS907882, Resene Fashion For Walls Wallpaper Collection 10375-47 and Resene Unify Wallpaper Collection E313510.
Drenched in charm
There’s no rule to say that dark colours need to be used sparingly. Taking a deeper shade across your walls, ceiling and cabinetry creates a striking enveloping effect. Repeating one colour across multiple surfaces creates cohesion and calm, while natural timber, thoughtful décor and warm lighting will keep your space inviting and homely.
Walls and cabinetry painted in Resene Big Stone.
For similar moody blues, try Resene Balderdash, Casal, Warrior and Tangaroa.
Industrial elegance
Dark colours naturally make their mark, but you don’t need to rely on paint alone to give your home some extra grit and drama. Texture brings another dimension to a moody palette, particularly when you’re working with charcoals and near blacks.
These rock panels from Muros are painted in Resene Bokara Grey, giving this bedroom depth and movement. They create a dramatic backdrop that feels tactile rather than flat, and pair well with the dark timber and bedding.
Muros rock feature panels painted in Resene Bokara Grey. Custom bedhead by Paul Tunley Furniture & Upholstery.
Try other warm charcoals and blacks like Resene Double Gravel, Element, Zeus and Ironsand.
Play with contrast
For balance, pairing a deeper feature colour with lighter adjoining spaces and softer finishes gives the eye somewhere to rest. In the below space, the deep green walls in Resene Rewilding create a strong, grounding presence, while Creme De La Creme in the back room provides a lighter counterpoint. The muted green floor adds another layer, and timber furniture keeps things inviting and warm.
Front wall painted in Resene Rewilding, back wall in Creme De La Creme, floor in Resene Tic Tac Toe with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Springtime. Chair and bookshelf from Bauhaus. Design by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Add deep, earth greens like Resene Log Cabin, El Paso, Scrub and Karaka to your next home decorating list.
A darker grain
You can still go dark while allowing the beauty of the material underneath to remain part of the story. Here, the plywood walls and furniture are finished in Resene Aquaclear with Colour Enhance Japan Black, paired with Resene Black Sand walls. The combination of timber grain, dark tones and solid painted surfaces create subtle variation within an otherwise deeply moody scheme.
Plywood walls and table finished in Resene Aquaclear with Colour Enhance Japan Black added, floor in Qristal ClearFloor with Colour Enhance Japan Black, side walls painted in Black Sand. Rug from Freedom, chairs from Mr Bigglesworthy. Design by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Use Resene Colour Enhance in your chosen shade added to a clear coat, or try out a Resene Colorwood stain like Mahogany, Deep Oak, English Walnut or Pitch Black. Colour Enhance is also used in the Resene Aquaclear or Qristal ClearFloor to deepen and reduce any uneven areas on stained timber.
Warm up the dark
Rich browns can create just as much drama as black, and with an added sense of warmth. Resene Brown Pod envelops this room in rich colour, complemented by the floor stained in Resene Colorwood Bark. Natural light brings out the warmth and complexity within the brown, while the tonal artwork in a similar colourway continues the palette without making the room feel overly matched.
Walls in Resene Brown Pod, floor in Resene Colorwood Bark, artwork in Half Sour Dough, Toffee and Brown Pod. Table, chair and rug by Soborg Mobler from Good Form. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Heat up your home with warm browns like Resene Espresso, Milk Chocolate, Rebel and Toorak.
Published: 14 Oct 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Double Gravel
Resene English Walnut
Resene Half Sour Dough
Resene Milk Chocolate
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
Resene Double Gravel
Resene English Walnut
Resene Half Sour Dough
Resene Milk Chocolate
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
