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Exterior, house exterior featuring Resene Half Fuscous Grey

Above:

The use of a dark colour scheme on this exterior brings the classic features of an Art Deco Queenslander to the forefront. Weatherboards are painted in Resene Half Fuscous Grey, plastering and rafters in Resene Nero and contrasting trims in Resene Quarter Black White. Design by Dion Seminara Architecture, image by Darren Kerr.

Exterior, house exterior, exterior painted in Resene Masala

Above:

This exterior is painted in an earthy grey brown, Resene Masala, blending into the natural surroundings. Timber posts are stained in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black. Design by Kate Alexander, Places & Graces.

Exterior, house exterior, exterior featuring Resene Half Truffle

Above:

This home is painted in Resene Half Truffle on weatherboards, trims and soffits in Resene Half Black White, roof in ReseneIronsand and front door in Resene Duck Egg Blue. Painting by Total Paint.

Exterior and front door, exterior and front door featuring Resene Foundry and Resene Silver Chalice

Above:

A shadowy charcoal hue, Resene Foundry, was painted on this front door, complementing the weatherboards in Resene Silver Chalice and trims in Resene Alabaster. Design by Olivia Ellis of Ellis Design Studio, image by Someday Photography.

Exterior, exterior and front door, exterior and front door featuring Resene Hot Toddy and Resene Element

Above:

The golden yellow hue of Resene Hot Toddyis painted on thisfront door and window frame, paired with trims in Resene White and contrasting cladding in Resene Element. Project and image by homeowners Katrina and Mike.

How to pick the right exterior paint colour for your home

The exterior of your home is the first thing people see, making it an important canvas to showcase style and personality. Whether you’re drawn to timeless neutrals, rich earthy tones or dramatic darks, the right colour palette can enhance your home’s character and connection to its surroundings. These Resene paints and wood stains provide inspiration for a home that’s as welcoming as it is enduring.

Bold and beautiful

For a bold and dramatic statement, dark exteriors are increasingly popular. Deep, moody colours like Resene Bokara Grey and Resene Baltic Sea create a striking and modern appearance – they look especially great in rural or landscaped settings where lush greenery is present. Dark exteriors also offer practical benefits, as they tend to hide dirt and imperfections better than lighter shades, reducing maintenance efforts. When paired with natural materials such as wood and stone, dark hues can enhance the texture and depth of the façade, adding richness and complexity to the overall design.

Tip: If you’ve been wanting to try a dark colour for your exterior but are worried about the heat damaging the substrate over the warmer months, you can 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 is especially useful when you’re opting for a dark paint or stain. Check with your local Resene ColorShop or reseller staff whether a Resene CoolColour is right for your project or ask a Resene Paint Expert online.

Earthy hues

Mid-toned wood stains and rich, earthy paint colours bring a grounded and inviting feel to a home’s exterior. Resene Woodsman Pickled Bean or Resene Woodsman Jarrah Tree highlight the natural beauty of timber, while warm tones like Resene Pravda or Resene Mondo add depth and warmth to weatherboards and trims.

This palette connects beautifully with nature, making it ideal for homes surrounded by greenery or natural landscapes. Layer with natural materials like stone, schist and wood to create a cohesive, organic aesthetic that feels both timeless and contemporary.

Shades of serenity

This home is painted in Resene Half Truffle on weatherboards, trims and soffits in Resene Half Black White, roof in Resene Ironsand and front door in Resene Duck Egg Blue. Painting by Total Paint.

Courtney and Dave’s 1920s bungalow needed a fresh exterior update after years as a rental. Prioritising weatherproofing for winter, they repainted the weatherboards in Resene Half Truffle, with trims in Resene Half Black White, a roof in Resene Ironsand and a charming Resene Duck Egg Blue front door. Their goal was a timeless, classic exterior to balance the home’s vibrant interior. The transformation exceeded their expectations, giving the house a fresh, sophisticated look while reinforcing its character.

Muted greys, beiges and soft blues create a calming, classic look that harmonises beautifully with natural landscapes. Pairing these hues with crisp white trims or soft greys enhances their timeless appeal, ensuring your home remains effortlessly elegant for years to come.

Tip: This colour scheme was inspired by a home Dave spotted in Auckland, which proves that sometimes you just need a little inspiration to get your dream design. If you’ve seen a design you love, take a picture or notes into your local Resene ColorShop to see how you can achieve the look! Or load it into the Resene Palette Generator, www.resene.com/palettegenerator and let it suggest a colour palette for you.

Country elegance

If a classic yet sophisticated look is more your style, refined neutrals like silvery greys and off-whites provide a versatile foundation for any home exterior. Shades like ReseneHalf Villa White, Resene Carrara, Resene Quarter Silver Chalice and Resene Gull Grey all offer a subtle depth that pair effortlessly with natural elements like stone, timberand greenery.

This understated palette works across a range of architectural styles, from modern minimalism to traditional villas, ensuring a polished and enduring finish that never goes out of style.

Top tip:If you are thinking of using white for your exterior, be sure to order Resene testpots or Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can see what each shade lookslikethroughout 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. This will help your eyes to see the undertone in each Resene paint colour. 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.

An opening statement

The golden yellow hue of Resene Hot Toddy is painted on thisfront door and window frame, paired with trims in Resene White and contrasting cladding in Resene Element. Project and image by homeowners Katrina and Mike.

Your front door is the gateway to your home and an excellent opportunity to make a statement – especially if you’re testing out brighter colours for the first time. A vibrant door can add a welcoming touch and enhance your home’s curb appeal. There is a wide range of colours that can turn your front door into a focal point, from the classics like Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Clockwork Orange, to unique hues like Resene Sushi andResene Paua. Use a gloss finish on your front door, such as Resene Enamacryl, to highlight your bold colour choice.

No matter your home’s style or setting, the right exterior colours can transform its look and feel while enhancing durability and charm. With thoughtful colour choices, your home can be a true reflection of your taste and lifestyle – timeless, stylish and built to last.

For more inspiration, visit Resene's Home exteriors decorating inspiration gallery, stop by your local Resene ColorShop for expert advice or book a consultation with a Resene Colour Expert to bring your vision to life.

Published: 27 Mar 2025

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.

Resene Half Fuscous Grey

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Nero

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Quarter Black White

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Bokara Grey

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Baltic Sea

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Masala

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Pravda

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Mondo

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Half Truffle

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Half Black White

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Ironsand

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Duck Egg Blue

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Foundry

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Silver Chalice

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Alabaster

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Half Villa White

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Carrara

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Quarter Silver Chalice

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Gull Grey

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Hot Toddy

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Element

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Pohutukawa

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Clockwork Orange

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Sushi

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Paua

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

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 Fuscous Grey

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Nero

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Quarter Black White

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Bokara Grey

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Baltic Sea

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Masala

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Pravda

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Mondo

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Half Truffle

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Half Black White

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Ironsand

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Duck Egg Blue

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Foundry

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Silver Chalice

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Alabaster

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Half Villa White

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Carrara

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Quarter Silver Chalice

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Gull Grey

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Hot Toddy

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Element

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Pohutukawa

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Clockwork Orange

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Sushi

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

Resene Paua

Create your own mood boards of your favourite colours, photographs and information from habitat by resene.

the look

If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.

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