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This home, in Homunga, is made up of two containers, each finished in the deep marine blue of Resene Tangaroa.
This stunning home near the coast in Bowentown is painted in the warm green of Resene Pacifika and the dark navy of Midnight.
The inspiration for using the deep red of Resene Lonestar on this coastal home was to emulate the flowering pōhutukawa. The darker tone of Grey Friars with corresponding COLORSTEEL® mimics the surrounding geography, and fitting right in with the natural environment and tones is the cedar timber cladding finished in Waterborne Woodsman Treehouse stain.
This Kuaotunu exterior features the bright Resene Clockwork Orange on the extended living space, with contrasting All Black and the breezy blue of Azure on COLORSTEEL®.
This home, in Homunga, is made up of two containers, each finished in the deep marine blue of Resene Tangaroa.
Exterior house colour ideas that go beyond white
When it comes to exterior paint colours, many homeowners stick with safe neutrals. Whites, soft off-whites, greys and blacks are popular for good reason… but they are not the only option. Thoughtfully used colour can completely change how a home looks and feels from the street, adding personality, warmth and confidence, all without overwhelming the architecture.
Bolder exterior colours are becoming more common, from rich blues and greens to warm earthy tones and unexpected accents. The trick is knowing how to use colour in a way that suits your home, location and how you live, while still standing the test of time.
We speak to Kyle Anaru from Tohu Workshop of Architecture. With more than 20 years of experience and a reputation for confident colour use, Kyle and his team are known for designing homes with real personality.
“When done well, smart colour use gives projects a definitive differentiation from other homes that just follow current trends,” says Kyle. “These houses tend to fade into obscurity within a few years, whereas more boldly considered projects are timeless.”
Kyle shares his practical advice and examples for using colour on your exterior, from subtle statements to bolder design moves.
This stunning home near the coast in Bowentown is painted in the warm green of Resene Pacifika and the dark navy of Midnight. “Here, we were effectively trying to emulate the surrounding cabbage trees and coastal foliage,” says Kyle. “The Midnight blue in a matt finish is used as metaphor of the ocean, but also a quieter, supporting tone for the green.” The exterior also features Woodsman Natural Wood Oil stain on timber slats, paired with silver joinery as a raw material, which keeps the palette natural. “The ‘fun’ aesthetic is taken through the shapes, and arrangements of colours.”
The inspiration for using the deep red of Resene Lonestar on this coastal home was to emulate the flowering pōhutukawa. The darker tone of Grey Friars with corresponding COLORSTEEL® mimics the surrounding geography, and fitting right in with the natural environment and tones is the cedar timber cladding finished in Waterborne Woodsman Treehouse stain.
“The house is intended to appear as a pōhutukawa tumbling down a coastal cliff-face into the ocean,” says Kyle.
This Kuaotunu exterior features the bright Resene Clockwork Orange on the extended living space, with contrasting All Black and the breezy blue of Azure on COLORSTEEL®. Using darker and cooler tones alongside a confident colour, like the iconic Clockwork Orange, helps ground the overall look, giving the eye somewhere to rest while still letting the bold hue shine. It’s a great example of how strong exterior colours work best when they’re paired with calmer companions, creating contrast, depth and a finish that feels deliberate rather than loud.
This home, in Homunga, is made up of two containers, each finished in the deep marine blue of Resene Tangaroa. “We paired this with neutral raw tones using Resene Waterborne Woodsman Bark and Cherrywood to match the deeper hues of the harakeke fronds,” Kyle says. “We utilised the use of iconic 40mm farm fence rough sawn timber, finishing them in Resene to maintain the raw, rough industrial nature of the battens, which contrast against the solid colouring of the main structures.” Using this deep shade of blue alongside various timber shades allows this home to stand out, yet also blend in with the surrounding rural and coastal setting.
projects and images Kyle Anaru, Tohu Workshop of Architecture.
If you’re looking for some great colour combos for your exterior, try out some of these:
For a light, coastal-inspired home, try Resene Black White on weatherboards or trims, with a colour block of Bali Hai on vertical cladding or on the front door, and Woodsman Driftwood on any timber features like posts, cladding or decking:
For classic or heritage homes, consider a solid beige like Quarter Sandstone paired with a deep colonial red like Burgundy and Woodsman Heartwood on timber for added warmth:
Modern homes like to show off their architecture and clean lines. Try a mix of Eighth Ash with a contemporary hue like Deep Teal and a cool stain like Smokey Ash on timber decking or cladding:
Darker and earthy hues likeWaterborne Woodsman Treehouse stain and Turtle Green paint finish look stunning in bush or rural settings, and pair well with darker oranges like Rose Of Sharon:
Exterior tips and advice:
- Getting the preparation right and using the right primer is key. Priming or spot priming new, weathered or repainting exterior timber are crucial steps when painting exteriors.
- Resene’s most popular and widely used exterior timber primer is Resene Quick Dry Primer. It is waterborne and very easy to apply, sands well and uniquely contains ant-corrosive pigments.
- Treat for moss and mould using Resene Moss and Mould Killer before washing existing paintwork with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash or for bare timber scrub with Resene Timber and Deck Wash. You will be amazed at how effective these products are and how much time is saved by using them.
- Want darker bold colours on your exterior? Consider Resene CoolColour™ versions of paints like Lumbersider. These reflect more heat and help reduce stress on the paint in strong sun.
- Woodsman wood stains are designed for exterior timber, colouring and weatherproofing while letting the natural grain show through. They help protect against UV damage, fungi and mould.
- For decking, Woodsman Decking Oil Stain is made to perform well on foot traffic areas and can be tinted in a range of colours.
For more paint, stain and exterior advice, visit your nearest Resene ColorShop or Ask a Paint Expert online.
Published: 11 Feb 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Clockwork Orange
Resene Rose Of Sharon
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 Clockwork Orange
Resene Rose Of Sharon
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
