The art of unexpected colour in home design

Classic neutrals are timeless, but if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, then a dash of daring colour or a quirky pattern could change the entire mood of your space. As well as turn it in to something that reflects your unique personality.

With Resene’s huge range of paints and wallpapers, it’s easy to experiment with unexpected shades and finishes that make your home truly your own. Let’s dive into this world of colour so you can turn the ordinary into something unforgettable.

Playful palettes

It’s true, colour can change your mood. And there are plenty of colours you might not consider that make the ultimate playful design. Unexpected pairings, like soft pastels with deep jewel tones or earthy hues with a pop of neon, can transform an ordinary space into something memorable. Playful mixes invite creativity and encourage you to see colour as more than a backdrop, but of the star of the room.

Try some of these colour combos, or take a look at the following rooms to see how these unexpected colour pairings work!

For an earthy palette with the twist, try Resene Eighth Black White as a base or on the ceiling and trims, with walls in Resene Scrub and accessories in pops of Resene Funk and Resene Apple Blossom.

Look to spring and summer for inspiration. Make your walls sing with Resene Half Moonbeam and add colour on accessories and décor like vases, furniture and drapes in blooming shades like Resene Butterfly, Resene Japonica and Resene Wasabi.

Who says blues and greens clash? This duo are both inspired by nature and we always see them together, it’s just all about pairing the right ones. Start with a light base like Resene Paris White and add depth with Resene Cutty Sark, Resene Gothic and Resene Atomic.


Create a sense of enchantment in your room with a complementary clashing palette. These side wall panels are painted in Resene Vantage Point, back wall in Resene Oxygen, vertical strip in Resene Smokescreen, circle in Resene Hampton, stripes in Resene Inspire, sideboard in Resene Big Bang, handles in Resene Inspire and stool top in Resene Wild West. Artwork by Jodi Clarke from endemicworld, chair from Danske Møbler, lamp by The Brim Label. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.


These Spanish-inspired interior hues bring energy to the kitchen and create the feeling reminiscent of a summer’s day. The walls are painted in Resene Bright Spark with cabinetry in Resene Kumutoto. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene White. Project by Samantha McKeown of Inside Outward Interior Design, image by Jason Ireland.


Pink reigns supreme as a go-to shade for injecting spaces with vibrancy and joy. In this luxe ensuite bathroom, Resene Drop Dead Gorgeous steals the show on the vanity and complements the surrounding cooler tones in Resene Pattens Blue and Resene Denzo II Wallpaper Collection 456738. The floor is painted in Resene Triple Black White and Resene Half Black White, mirror in Resene Contented and vase in Resene Lemon Grass. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.

“Creating a palette that works in bold tones in a bright and expressive manner is a great way to bring a sense of fun to your room,” says Resene Colour Expert Amy Watkins. “Bringing colour back into our environments is a trend gaining momentum as we embrace fun and revel in the delights colour offers. The opportunity to inject a little fun in our homes has become more prevalent over the past year and we’re seeing bold bright tones gain popularity in interior design.”

When you’re looking to colour clash, choose complementary colours. These sit opposite each other on the colour spectrum. Lean away from the primary tones to softer light tones for a bright space, or for a cosy room, lean into those muddier shades. Opt for around four or five colours in your palette, using a grounding darker colour and working in lighter shades or tones as accents will help create a harmonious yet fun room.

Top tip: If you’re choosing one piece of furniture, your front door, or your trims as your bright coloured accent, consider using Resene Super Gloss. It’s durable in hardwearing areas and its striking gloss finish will make your vibrant shades pop even more!

Wonderful wallpaper

Wallpaper is back in a big way and it’s not just for feature walls either, you’d be surprised at the range in Resene’s Wallpaper Collection and ways that homeowners are using them. Oversized florals, geometric patterns and abstract murals are a clever way to liven up a space and bring art into your home.


Bring the outdoors in with a mural-style design like Resene Infinity 2 Wallpaper Collection IF3-040 that feels like stepping into a lush garden. It’s bold, but not too bold, and looks great next to warm beige tones like Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe or subtle greens like Resene Half Lemon Grass.


Moody florals meet rich textures for a space that feels both dramatic and inviting in this living room. The pops of orange and yellow in Resene Museum Wallpaper Collection E307306 pair beautifully with this velvet orange couch and gold accents.


Like a painted landscape, Resene Infinity 2 Wallpaper Collection IF4-052 brings the outside in turning this plain wall into a window to nature, perfect for a home office where creativity and focus need room to breathe.

Top tip: If you love murals and landscape scenes, or you’re looking for something a little more personal, create your own wallpaper using Resene WallPrint. Simply upload your high quality photo or choose from a gallery of images then adjust the scaling to create a perfectly sized feature wall. Once you've finished your design, Resene WallPrint is printed onto wallpaper. Each strip is numbered so simply paste the wall, hang the wallpaper and enjoy your one-of-a-kind wall.

Exciting exteriors

Many of us keep our brave colour choices for our interior, but the outside of your home can be just as full of personality! Moving beyond the classic creams and greys, a fresh coat of paint in a bold or surprising shade can completely lift curb appeal. A cheerful front door, colourful trims or even a whole façade in a daring hue. Colour can make exteriors unforgettable, and a space you feel even more happy to come home to.


Homeowner Natalie went all out in her garden, adding joy and whimsy for her and her outdoorsy toddler. Behind the magical fairy garden, the green trellis is painted in a mix of Resene Crusoe, Resene Japanese Laurel, Resene Tree Frog, Resene Wham, Resene Groovy, Resene Snowy Mint and Resene Feijoa. The retaining wall also steals the show in the electric yellow of Resene Bright Spark. Image by Nick Beadle.


The incredibly provocative cerulean blue, Resene Allports, was chosen for the back entrance to this home, creating a unique entryway that contrasts against the cladding in Resene Element. The homeowner wanted a ‘funky point of difference’ and that’s exactly what they got! Project and image by Hunter Architecture.


This exterior is an instant pick-me-up. The warm, fruity terracotta of Resene Japonica behind the cactus garden gives this space a vibrant ‘urban desert’ feel. The gate painted in Resene Zuccini adds depth to the space, while also connecting the outdoors to the inside through the roof in Resene Juniper. Project by Lymesmith, image by Clinton Weaver.

What exterior finish should you use? If you’re going bold, use a gloss finish like Resene Super Gloss, Resene Enamacryl or Resene Hi-Glo to bring out the intensity of your colour, this looks particularly good if you’re trying to highlight certain elements like trims, gates or front doors. For general walls and weatherboards, decorator favourites are easy-clean Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss or Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen, great for covering imperfections. For a matte finish use Resene Lumbersider Matt. And for plaster cladding use Resene X-200 weathertight membrane for protection and to bridge small cracks. 

Remember that home is a space you should love, so don’t be afraid to try new things and incorporate the colours that bring you joy. For more advice on paints, wallpapers, stains and finishes, visit your local Resene ColorShop or Ask A Colour Expert online for free.

 

Published: 08 Oct 2025

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Eighth Black White

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Resene Apple Blossom

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Resene Half Moonbeam

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Resene Paris White

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Resene Cutty Sark

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Resene Vantage Point

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Resene Smokescreen

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Resene Bright Spark

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Resene Pattens Blue

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Resene Triple Black White

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Resene Half Black White

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Resene Lemon Grass

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Resene Quarter Perfect Taupe

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Resene Half Lemon Grass

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Resene Japanese Laurel

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Resene Snowy Mint

the look

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