Pastels with a twist: a look at the mid-tone Resene paint colours that are redefining spaces

Walls painted in Resene Pumice, floor stain colour washed in Resene Colorwood Bask and skirting board in Resene Rice Cake. Chair from Mocka, sideboard from Danske Møbler, coffee table, artwork, lamps, travertine vessel, vases, tumbler and books from A&C Homestore, jug from Flotsam & Jetsam, rug from Baya.

For commercial office spaces, pastel tones can help create a welcoming and non-intimidating atmosphere while maintaining a professional and clean aesthetic. Consider soft yet saturated or greyed off tones like Resene Pumice, a calming sage green with a hint of blue, which brings a sense of balance and serenity to work environments. Paired with crisp whites like Resene Rice Cake for trim or accents, the result is a clean yet soothing space that promotes focus without feeling sterile or clinical. Alternatively, Resene Heliotrope, a pigmented periwinkle that’s slightly more purple than it is blue, adds a refreshing touch of energy to meeting rooms or collaborative areas without overwhelming the senses. 

Back wall painted in Resene Heliotrope, right wall in Resene Petal, floor and coffee table in Resene Double Alabaster and door in Resene Rulebreaker. Chair from Danske Møbler, shoes and books from Father Rabbit.

Retail spaces – where creating an emotional connection with customers is key – can benefit from the warmth and approachability of saturated pastels. Resene Cashmere, a dusted peachy-pink, works well for creating an inviting and pleasant atmosphere in fashion stores or boutiques. This colour can be complemented with Resene Saratoga, a mossy olive green, for a sophisticated contrast that highlights product displays without taking away from the overall feeling of openness. Similarly, Resene Ashanti is another popular mid-tone aquaticbluethat would suit retail spacesthat need a calm, airy backdrop to allow lighter and darker coloured merchandise to stand out. 

Back and left walls painted in Resene Cashmere, right wall and stool in Resene Saratoga and floor in Resene Quarter Merino. Chair and rug from Republic, artwork from Father Rabbit.

Restaurants and hospitality venues, on the other hand, often demand colours that create an inviting, comfortable environment. Pastels offer the right amount of energy to make patrons feel at ease while adding visual warmth to the space. ReseneHigh Tea, a greyed-off muted lavender, lends a soft touch to dining areas, particularly when paired with trending butter yellow tones like Resene Hampton and Resene Marzipan for furniture or painted wall features. The resulting palette has an elegant yet approachable quality, making it suitable for everything from intimate cafes to larger restaurants. 

Walls and drawer fronts painted in Resene High Tea, painted headboard design and dresser base in Resene Hampton, floor finished in ReseneColorwood Bark, doorway threshold in Resene La Bamba and sconce in Resene Marzipan. Vase from Thea Ceramics. 

Hotels can also make use of mid-tone pastels to evoke a sense of relaxation and calm, ideal for guest rooms and public spaces. Resene French Pass, a pigmented yet soft blue, works beautifully in bedrooms, creating a serene environment conducive to rest and relaxation. Pair it with a creamy white likeReseneQuarter Blanc for an understated yet elegant aesthetic. Or, for public spaces like lobbies or lounges, Resene Dust Storm, a dusty rose, offers a sophisticated yet cosy pairing whileaccents in deeper hues like Resene Avant Gardeprovides a striking contrast that adds depth and drama to the space. 

Walls and built-in bench painted in Resene French Pass, wood divider stained in ReseneColorwood Bark, floor in Resene Dust Storm and vase in Resene Avant Garde. Artwork by Amber Armitage.

In educational environments such as schools, where creating a stimulating yet calming atmosphere is essential, mid-tone pastels can provide just the right balance. ReseneZiggurat, a warm yet dusty blue, works well for promoting focus in classrooms while preventing the space from feeling cold or sterile. Pairing it with warm yellow accents inReseneCorn Fieldbrings an element of energy to learning spaces, without being overpowering. 

Walls and shelf painted in Resene Illuminate and floor stain colour washed in ReseneColorwood Bask. Daybed from Mr. Bigglesworthy, lamps, side table, sculpture, candleholder and magazine holder from Good Form, vase from Tessuti, artwork by John Tootill from Sanderson Gallery, rattan chair from Mocka, rug and throw from Baya, books from Father Rabbit.

Even in medical or therapy clinics, where a sense of calm and trustworthiness is paramount, pastel colours are finding their place. Resene Illuminateis an uplifting choice for treatment rooms in a physiotherapy or psychotherapy clinicwhere you want to evoke liveliness and renewal. Pair itwith a soft greened whitelike ReseneWhite Noise, which imparts tranquillity without feeling cold or clinical while also tying into Resene Illuminate’s green undertones.Nature-inspired greensarealso popular choices for healthcare applications, thanks to green’s psychological connections with growth and healing. Mid-tone dusty greens like Resene Tom Thumb and Resene Spanish Green are welcoming hues that can be layered together within a single space for depth and interest. 

Wall, table, candlestick and bowl painted in Resene Spanish Green and jug in Resene Tom Thumb.