Capture: A snapshot of today’s top colour and design trends

13 Oct 2025

Today’s colour and design trends are all about balancing comfort with character. Designers are embracing natural textures, earthy pairings and saturated hues in fresh, inventive ways that nod to tradition while pushing projects forward. Let’s take a look at the palettes, finishes and ideas that are shaping contemporary spaces, and how Resene paints and products are helping bring them to life.

Mediterranean-inspired outdoor patios are soaring in popularity. Celebrated for their blend of rustic charm, natural materials and breezy, resort-style comfort, these spaces offer a perfect retreat for relaxed entertaining and year-round outdoor living. These walls are painted in Resene Spanish White with Resene FX Paint Effects medium mixed with Resene Eighth Spanish White applied over top and faux terracotta tile floor in Resene Pendragon with faux grout lines in Resene Half Sour Dough. Table and chairs from Bradfords Interiors, vases and tableware from Michael Joyce, lamp from Tim Webber Design.

Designers are increasingly turning to character neutrals as a sophisticated alternative to stark white. These nuanced paint colours, infused with complex undertones, offer warmth, depth and a quiet elegance, creating spaces that feel considered and lived-in rather than cold or clinical, which is particularly important in minimalist settings. This wall and round column are painted in Resene Ted and floor in Resene Alabaster. Chair from Soren Liv, table and rug both from Ligne Roset, lamp from Tim Webber, artwork by Elliot Love from Parnell Gallery.

Black wood stains continue to be a popular way to introduce refined depth and drama to projects inside and out. Borrowing from both Japanese and Scandinavian design traditions, this approach balances boldness with restraint, offering a grounded, tactile beauty that feels both modern and timeless without masking the beauty and texture of the timber’s natural grain. This wall is finished in Resene Aquaclear Satin mixed with Resene Japan Black Colour Enhance, timber floor in Resene Qristal ClearFloor also mixed with Resene Japan Black Colour Enhance, concrete plant pots finished in Concrete Clear Satin mixed with Resene Japan Black Colour Enhance and stool finished in Resene Aquaclear Satin mixed with Resene Walnut Colour Enhance.

Top tip:Resene Colour Enhance can be mixed into a range of Resene products including clears such as Resene Aquaclear and Resene Concrete Clear and used to change the look of already stained or clear coated timber furniture, doors, joinery and more without the need to sand the wood back to bare. To intensify the look, apply additional coats of your colour enhanced clear rather than trying to apply a single layer too thickly which can affect the integrity of the product finish.

Designers are increasingly embracing the rich, earthy pairing of cream and chocolate brown as a softer and more inviting alternative to a classic black and white palette. This shift brings a sense of warmth and tactility, grounding spaces in natural tones that feel both contemporary and comforting. These walls are painted in Resene Meringue and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and overcoated with Resene Qristal ClearFloor. Table from Soren Liv, chairs from Slow Store, pendant lamp from Lighting Direct, bowl, glassware, tablecloth and books from A&C Homestore, vase from Kmart.

Wallpaper designs that mimic natural textures such as timber, brick, stone or marble are emerging as a clever way to introduce architectural interest without the structural commitment. These tactile-inspired designs add depth and material richness, blurring the line between illusion and authenticity in contemporary interiors. This wall features Resene Stories of Life Wallpaper Collection 39659-6.

Deep, dramatic red paint colours continue to be prized for infusing intimate interior spaces with a sense of passion, confidence and historical richness. Whether used to envelop a room or as a striking accent, these saturated hues create an atmosphere that is both moody and magnetic. In this space, the back wall and columns are painted in Resene Spitfire, left wall in Resene Half Hairy Heath with moulding in Resene Earthstone, floor in Resene Sugar Loaf, vase and lamp base in Resene Dark Knight and artwork in Resene Breeze, Resene Malibu and Resene Pizza. Table, chairs and trolley from Soren Liv.

Designers are increasingly incorporating bespoke and customised furniture pieces to bring individuality and a personalised narrative to their clients' spaces. Often finished in bold statement colours like Klein blue, these one-of-a-kind creations serve as both functional elements and expressive focal points. This wall is painted in Resene Stepping Stone, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy and overcoated with Resene Qristal ClearFloor, cabinet interior and tray in Resene Aviator and shell in Resene Quarter Tea. Cabinet from Mocka, throws and rug from Baya, books from Flotsam & Jetsam, clock and vase from Nood, stool from Kmart.

Bold cobalt paint colours like Resene Resolution Blue, Resene Space Cadet and Resene Aviator remain top options among brave clients for their fresh, modern energy that’s both striking and versatile. These blues communicate a confident sense of style that injects spaces with sophistication and unmistakable character. Here, the wall, shelf and sideboard are painted in Resene Resolution Blue. Sofa and coffee table, fruit bowl, ceramic basket, from Slow Store, rug from Baya, side table and bookends from Soren Liv, lamp from Kayu Studio, cushion from Citta, artwork by Greer Clayton from Parnell Gallery.

Top tip:For more powerful cobalt and ultramarine colour options, check out the Resene Beyond the sea palette which features six striking paint colours made from authentic ultramarine pigment. Visit your Resene ColorShop for more information and to see samples of these incredible, limited-edition colours in person.

Rich rosy pinks brimming with warmth and romance have become a big trend for hospitality spaces like restaurants, bars and hotels. Nuanced versions like Resene Coral Tree, Resene Awaken and Resene Florentine Pink strike a balance between softness and strength, enveloping spaces in a glow that feels current, comforting and intimate, especially when used to ‘colour drench’ spaces. These walls are painted in Resene Coral Tree, moulding in Resene Prairie Sand and floor finished in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Bedside table, lamp and glass from Slow Store, duvet cover from Foxtrot Home, pillowcases, throw, cushion and tote bag from Citta, artwork by Greer Clayton from Parnell Gallery.

Leveraging a palette that blends warm and cool paint colours across a single space is gaining traction as a method for crafting dynamic, multidimensional interiors. This thoughtful ‘temperature’ contrast has a balancing effect that results in environments that feel effortlessly harmonious. Loving these tones? These A4 drawdown paint swatches and testpots (clockwise from top to bottom) are in Resene Aviator, Resene Boundless, Resene Amaranth, Resene Roadster, Resene Stepping Stone, Resene Coconut Ice, Resene Thunderstorm and Resene Quarter Tea.

For more on the latest colour and decorating trends, check out the most recent issue of BlackWhite magazine, issue 11. If you’re not on the mailing list, you can pick up a copy at your local Resene ColorShop, read the online version or sign-up to receive future issues free.

projects Amber Armitage
images Wendy Fenwick

Published: 13 Oct 2025