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A range of home exterior colour schemes and designs featuring Resene Half Grey Olive, Gull Grey, Indian Ink and Bokara Grey.
Weatherboards painted in Resene Gull Grey, trims in Sea Fog, bargeboards in Grey Friars. Design by Charlotte Minty Interior Design, image by Bonny Beattie.
Weatherboards painted in Resene Indian Ink, brickwork trims and garage in Half Black White. To get this front door look, use the bright red Resene Poppy.
Weatherboards in Resene Half Grey Olive, trims in Black White. Design by City Style Co, image supplied by Harcourts Holmwood.
Home exterior colour schemes and designs
It really is the first thing people see when they visit – as well as the first thing you see when you come home. For this reason, it’s important to have an exterior that you love, and we’ve got just the design and colour inspiration, as well as pro tips, to help you achieve your dream home.
Exterior brickwork and soffits painted in Resene Bokara Grey.
Dark shades work well with timber. This combo gives you a refined and sophisticated feel, one that works particularly well in rural and landscaped settings. Once you’ve chosen your paint colour – try popular dark hues like Resene Bokara Grey, Foundry and Grey Friars – use a complementary Resene Natural Wood Oil Stain on exterior timber, its finish and versatility mean it is ideal for cedar and other hardwoods. For decks and walk-on surfaces, use Resene Woodsman Decking Stains.
Resene Pro Tip: When using dark shades for your exterior, use the Resene CoolColour version of the colour to reduce heat stress and damage. A Resene CoolColour reflects more of the sun’s damaging UV rays than the standard version of the colour, and research confirms it is also more durable, lasting longer then the non-CoolColour version.
Weatherboards painted in Resene Gull Grey, trims in Sea Fog, bargeboards in Grey Friars. Design by Charlotte Minty Interior Design, image by Bonny Beattie.
The light Resene Sea Fog on these trims paired with the darker Grey Friars on the bargeboards, both contrast with the soft Gull Grey exterior while also lifting the character details of the entire façade.
Keeping colour palettes simple on villas and heritage homes allows the character and details to really shine. As an example, try a neutral palette of Resene Concrete in varying strengths, or muted tones with contrasting hues on trims and fretwork, like Half Duck Egg Blue and Innocence.
Resene Pro Tip: If you are thinking of using off-white, or a light shade, for your exterior, order some Resene testpots or Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can see what each shade looks like throughout the day. If you’re comparing your whites and are finding it difficult to see the undertones, place a piece of white printer paper underneath each swatch. All colours will look lighter outside, so consider choosing a darker version of your off-white and make sure you have enough contrast between colours if you are choosing a tonal colour palette.
Weatherboards painted in Resene Indian Ink, brickwork trims and garage in Half Black White. To get this front door look, use the bright red Resene Poppy.
This home knows just how contrast works. The homeowners chose Resene Indian Ink for weatherboards, which they say is a stunning shade that shifts beautifully throughout the day. It’s paired with the crisp Half Black White and a welcoming, bright red front door.
Resene Pro Tip: If you’re making a statement with bold hues, use a gloss finish like Resene Super Gloss or Resene Enamacryl to bring out the intensity of the colour – which looks especially great on a front door! Applied well over a very smooth surface Resene Super Gloss Enamel will achieve a mirror-like finish, but note the prep-work has to be top notch!
Weatherboards in Resene Half Grey Olive, trims in Black White. Design by City Style Co, image supplied by Harcourts Holmwood.
If you’re wanting to paint your exterior in a neutral tone but still want some connection to the natural surroundings, try warm shades with a slight hint of green like Resene Half Grey Olive, Eagle or Aspiring.
Resene Pro Tip: When painting exterior brick, use Resene X-200 paint for high-performance waterproofing and crack bridging, or use Resene Lumbersider for a durable, flexible finish. Remember to always seal brick first with Resene Sureseal to bind powdery, porous surfaces. Resene Smooth Surface Sealer may be needed if painting over highly glazed bricks.
Another alternative is to select Resene AquaShield, which has a dead flat, yet rain-washable surface. For the adventurous and for a complete change, consider getting a contractor to quote to bag wash or plaster the brickwork with a system from Resene Construction Systems.
For more exterior designs, check out the Resene home exteriors decorating inspiration gallery. And for more colour and paint advice, visit your nearest Resene ColorShop to chat to the friendly staff, or Ask a Paint Expert online.
Published: 23 Apr 2026
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Grey Olive
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 Half Duck Egg Blue
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Grey Olive
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
