
Eucalyptus: the tranquil tone that works wonders in every space
12 May 2025
In a time when our lives seem to feel more and more complicated with each passing day, paint colours that successfully balance well-being with versatility arefar more than just a passing trend. For those seeking hues that will act as both a visual balm and add a sense of timeless sophisticationto their project, eucalyptus-inspired tones are tricky to beat. Blending the serene depth of blue with the organic vitality of green, these blue green colours offer more than just captivating charm; they deliver an emotional and psychological reprieve and can have a profound impact on how a space looks, feels and functions.
Many Resene blue greens – especially dusty, greyed-off versions that are evocative of eucalyptus leaves – are infused with an air of sophistication that makes them incredibly adaptable. They can feel cool or warm, recede or stand proud, depending on how they’re used and paired. This duality is a dream for spatial storytellers: calming without being cold, refreshing without being loud and deeply grounded in both nature and culture.
Eucalyptus tones also speak to a broader desire for emotional resonance and sensory ease within our built environments – especially in spaces where people live, work, heal or learn – making them a perfect pick for virtually any project. From wellness-oriented healthcare facilities to future-forward workspaces, colours like Resene Juniper, Resene Green Meets Blue and Resene Eau De Nil help soften hard lines, foster focus and invite people to linger longer.
Explore the power of Resene eucalyptus-inspired hues across various project typologies along with curated colour pairings to help you shape spaces that feel current, cohesive and deeply considered.
Background painted in Resene Alabaster with A4 drawdown paint swatches and Resenetestpotsin (from top) Resene Off The Grid, Resene Ted, Resene Paddock and Resene Eau De Nil.
Commercial office spaces: Resene Juniper or Resene Eau De Nil
From the perspective of colour psychology, given that eucalyptus tones sit midway between blue and green on the colour wheel, these hues manage to evoke the best aspects of both colours. Blue is synonymous with the tranquillity of water while green is most often associated with restorative qualities likegrowth and renewal, so eucaplyptus-inspired paint colours are ideal for promoting calm, clarity and concentration – making them an especially powerful tool in shaping human behaviour and emotions within workplaces.
Misty with a refined undertone, Resene Juniper is ideal for supporting focus while reducing visual fatigue in high-pressure environments. Make the most of Resene Juniperby using it in places where you want to encourage employees to focus or relax, such as meeting rooms or break/lounge areas. Pair it with a soft blue grey like Resene Duck Egg Blue or a greyed white like Resene Half Concrete for ceilings and upper walls for levity or layer it with deeper details in a deep earthy green like ReseneDark Slate on fixtures for an industrial-chic effect.
If a lighter tone is needed, especially in internal areas or those with limited natural light, Resene Eau De Nil is another excellent choice for commercial office settings. For a minimalist contemporary look in a reception area, combine it with a crisp white like Resene Alabaster, stained timber accents in a deep brown tone like Resene Colorwood Bark, floor in a warm concrete grey like Resene Tino Pai.
Walls painted in Resene Eau De Nil and floor in Resene Alabaster. Chair and side tables from Tim Webber Design, artwork by Greer Clayton from Parnell Gallery, rug from Ligne Roset, lamp from Soren Liv, book from Slow Store.
Restaurants or bars: Resene Vantage Point
Sultry and moody, Resene Vantage Point is a dreamy choice for candlelit corners in intimate hospitality settingsto envelop diners in depth and warmth. The colour exudes comfort and sophistication – making it perfect for walls, booths and banquettes in intimate dining spaces. Resene Vantage Point pairs well with soft and sensual pinks like Resene Urbane, pale yellows like Resene Arrowroot and green-edged creams like Resene Coconut Cream, but it can also be livened up with touches of warm terracotta like Resene Soiree.
For a classic look, ground the space with a bar front, cabinetry and fixtures in Resene Noir and black and white marble accents and seating in a classic cream ReseneHalf Spanish White to prevent overwhelming the senses.
Wall painted in Resene Vantage Point. Table from Ligne Roset, artwork by Alan Pearson from Sanderson Contemporary, chair from Matisse, vase, bowl, trinket box and glassware from Smith & Caughey’s.
Retail spaces: Resene Green Meets Blue
Warm and luminous, ReseneGreen Meets Blueis an engaging andinviting blue green that invites curiosity and openness – key for encouraging shoppers to linger and engage with merchandise. Try it as a full-wall feature behind shelving in a cloudy white like Resene Mercury that will allow the eucalyptus tone to take centre stage. Use Resene Hot August as a playful accent for signage or bring in glittering touches of ReseneGold Dust metallic paint on frames or fixtures to create an elegant, boutique feel.
Front wall painted in Resene Green Meets Blue, back wall (through doorway) in Resene Hot August, floor in Resene Mercury and artwork painted in Resene Pursuit, Resene Mercury and Resene Vista White. Chair and sideboard from Bradfords Interiors, lamp from Ligne Roset, sculpture from Michael Joyce, candle from Faradays.
Educational facilities: Resene Ziggurat or Resene Pumice
When wrapped around the walls, Resene Ziggurat is a deeply immersive, blue-toned option that fosters focus and engagement without being overstimulating – making it a superb pick for creative learning environments.While it’s ideal for enveloping classrooms or study hubs, Resene Ziggurat can be punched up witha gentle peachy beige like Resene Sazerac to add warmth to reading nooks or creative corners. For built-in shelving and joinery, use Resene Undercover to add subtle depth.In areas with limited windows, pair Resene Ziggurat witha floor andceiling in Resene Mountain Mist to help reflect more light around the space and keep furniture light with timber furniture finished in Resene Colorwood Natural and decorative details in Resene Celeste.
Wall painted in Resene Pumice. Sideboard from Danske Møbler, Artwork, lamp, jug, vessel and books from A&C Homestore.
Wall and panelling painted in Resene Ziggurat, floor in Resene Mountain Mist, plant pot in Resene Celeste and hand-paintedartwork in Resene Celeste, Resene Nocturnal, Resene Rolling Stone, Resene Blue Bayoux and Resene Alabaster with frame in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue.Vase, decanter, glassware and tray from H&M Home.
Healthcare facilities: Resene Inside Back
Cool and quiet, ReseneInside Backbrings an atmosphere of and serenity – vital for patient comfort and healing.Use Resene Inside Back in patient rooms or corridors accompanied with wispy Resene Loblolly where a lighter tone is neededor opt for deeper Resene Woodsmoke for a sense of comfort and peace. In physiotherapy clinics where more energy is needed, add a statement wall in a warm brick red like Resene Crail and go for a pale green grey like Resene Half Copyrite for the floor.
Left wall painted in Resene Hot August, right walls in Resene Inside Back, floor in Resene Mercury and artwork in Resene Float, Resene Inside Back, Resene Half Innocence, Resene Thor, Resene Green Meets Blue, Resene Felix, Resene Hot August, Resene Tuscany, Resene La Mamba, Resene Lusty, Resene Pursuit, Resene Sunglo, Resene Brandy Rose, Resene Alluring, Resene Tuft Bush, Resene Midwinter Mist, Resene Quarter Blanc, Resene Mercury, Resene Sea Fog, Resene Vista White, Resene Edgewater, Resene Opal, Resene Summer Green, Resene Envy and Resene Laurel. Left chair from Bradfords Interiors, right chair from Domo.
Right wall and shelves painted in Resene Inside Back, left wall in Resene Hermitage, floor in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, stool and small plant pot (on shelf) in Resene Cinder, large plant pot (on floor) in Resene Duck Egg Blue, artwork created with ReseneEzyFill and painted in Resene Blanc, book in Resene Blanc, vases in Resene Mocha, Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Innocence and Resene Blanc and mug in Resene Mocha. Armchair from Nood, cushion, lamp and jewellery box from Cittá.
Libraries and civic spaces: Resene Pewter
A dignified yet inviting tone,Resene Pewter promotes introspection and calm – ideal for shared spaces of reflection and thought.Use Resene Pewter for reading alcoves or community rooms, a cool desaturated grey like Resene Ash or a warm white like Resene Wan White for feature joinery and Resene Glorious as a jewel-tone detail in textiles or artwork.
Tongue-and-groove panelled wall painted in Resene Pewter, right wall in Resene Spanish Green and floor in ReseneColorwood Dark Ebony. Pot in Resene Quarter Duck Egg Blue. Bench and chair from Good Form, cushion, throw and rug from Mulberi, bolster, stool and tumbler from Citta, books from Father Rabbit, artwork by Brenda Clews.
Residential homes: Resene Conch
In our part of the world, where nature dominates the landscape and light plays a defining role in spatial design, bluegreenResene paint colours strike a resonant chord with many homeowners. Resene Conch is an airy and uplifting option with a coastal, relaxed vibe perfect for family living spaces and bedrooms alike.Use Resene Conchin a primary bedroom or on living room walls with timber flooring finished in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy and bring in accents of soft pinks or browns like Resene Blanched Pink and Resene Grain Brown for acalming, light-filled look oropt for ReseneHermitage and Resene Destiny to take a layered tonal approach. For personality, pepper in a toffee brown like Resene Brown Sugar on small accessories or a piece of statement furniture.
Left walls and cabinets painted in Resene Conch, right wall in Resene Blanched Pink and floor finished in ReseneColorwood Rock Salt, tiny vases (on top shelf and coffee table) in Resene Sorrell Brown, Resene Clouded Blue, Resene Jetsam Brown,Resene Periglacial Blue and Resene Grain Brown, round boxes (on bottom shelf) painted in Resene Blanched Pink and Resene Smoky Green. Sofa, chair, wood shelf, coffee table, table lamp, black wall shelf and Gideon Bing artwork (on floor, far right) from Good Form, artwork by Emily Wolfe, Robin Neate, Emma Fitts and tapestry by Erica Van Zonfrom Melanie Roger Gallery, soapstone vase from Asili, candle, books and slides from Father Rabbit, brass bookends, brass vases, tray and candlesticks from Powersurge, art vases from Public Record, cushion covers, throw, floor lamp and jewellery box from Citta, rug from Mulberi, leaf dish and bird ornament from Flotsam and Jetsam.
With emotional versatility, effortless elegance and endless potential for pairing, Resene's array of eucalyptus tones are essentials for any architect or designer’s toolkit. For more beloved bluegreens, check out the Resene Multi-Finish range and the Resene The Range fashion colours fandeck. Always view or test your colours in situ whenever possible by ordering Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches of your shortlisted hues online before finalising your specifications.
projects Amber Armitage, Laura Lynn Johnston
images Bryce Carleton, Wendy Fenwick
Published: 12 May 2025