White pool house exterior painted in Resene Wan White with cladding in Resene Foggy Grey
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This pool house is bright and inviting. The cladding is painted in Resene Foggy Grey and timber joinery and posts in Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints collection. This project won a Resene Total Colour Neutrals Maestro Award. Project by Abri Architects, image by Katrina Weidner.

White pool house exterior painted in Resene Wan White with cladding in Resene Foggy Grey
House exterior painted in Resene Half Milk White
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White offers a timeless appeal that suits any home era. This home is painted in Resene Half Milk White, a pearly, modest hue from the Karen Walker Paints collection, that pairs beautifully with the white bricks and warm wood tones. Build by Pritchard Building Ltd and Signature Homes, colour selection by Kelly Wright Interiors, images by Rebekah Robinson.

House exterior painted in Resene Half Milk White
Villa home exterior painted in pale pink Resene Sauvignon
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A fancy tipple of pale pink, Resene Sauvignon, adorns this exterior with a contrasting front door and fence painted in Resene Black. The trims, eaves and fretwork are painted in Resene Alabaster. Project by Ahha Architects, painting by Sims & Blue, image by Momentum Agency.

Villa home exterior painted in pale pink Resene Sauvignon
House exterior featuring green Resene Bach paired with Resene Woodsman Pitch Black on the frames and posts
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This home’s sleek design sets it apart. The three-storey exterior bay window is highlighted using a nostalgic, inviting green, Resene Bach, which contrasts beautifully with the frames and posts in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black. Project by Spacecraft Architects, image by David Straight.

House exterior featuring green Resene Bach paired with Resene Woodsman Pitch Black on the frames and posts
Exterior painted in Resene Wet N Wild and Resene Baltic Sea
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Although located in a heritage conservation area with a limited palette option, this homeowner took advantage of the more private areas of their home’s exterior to add a splash of colour with Resene Wet N Wild. Surrounding this intense blue is the dark charcoal hue of Resene Baltic Sea. Project by Catherine Bakker of Bakker Studios, image by Matthew Syres Photography.

Exterior painted in Resene Wet N Wild and Resene Baltic Sea
House exterior featuring vivid red Resene Poppy and black wall cladding in Resene Ebony
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Designed to stand out proudly amongst the streetscape, these cantilever balcony frames were painted in the vivid red of Resene Poppy. This fiery hue is striking against the darker Resene Ebony on the wall cladding. Project by Nspire Architecture, image by Andy Spain.

House exterior featuring vivid red Resene Poppy and black wall cladding in Resene Ebony

How to transform your home’s exterior with paint: Tips and colour ideas

Do you lean towards timeless elegance in neutrals? Are you considering something more daring in bold or bright? The right Resene paints, stains and colours can transform the outside of your home just as easily as they do the inside. Let’s look at how exterior colours set the stage for your home’s character. After all, your home reflects your style, so make it one that stands out on the street!


This pool house is bright and inviting. The cladding is painted in Resene Foggy Grey and timber joinery and posts in Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints collection. This project won a Resene Total Colour Neutrals Maestro Award. Project by Abri Architects, image by Katrina Weidner.

All white

There’s something undeniably sleek and sophisticated about an all-white exterior. The simplicity of white allows architectural features and surrounding greenery to really shine, creating a fresh, welcoming atmosphere. White exteriors also evoke a sense of purity and crispness, perfect if you want your home to exude modern elegance while keeping the focus on clean lines. To capture this look, try Resene Alabaster for a soft, classic white, or go for Resene Black White for something a little more eye-catching.

Top tip: Colours used outside look lighter in the bright sun. If you’re choosing between two colours, it’s often best to choose the darker one to get the look you are after.


White offers a timeless appeal that suits any home era. This home is painted in Resene Half Milk White, a pearly, modest hue from the Karen Walker Paints collection, that pairs beautifully with the white bricks and warm wood tones. Build by Pritchard Building Ltd and Signature Homes, colour selection by Kelly Wright Interiors, images by Rebekah Robinson.

In the details

The beauty of a home lies in the details. By pairing bold, dark accents with soft pastels or neutrals, you create a striking contrast that highlights architectural features without overwhelming your home. An impactful front door, elegant fretwork or fresh white trim – it’s these thoughtful details that bring a whole look together. Use Resene Hermitage or Resene Urbane for a refined base, with Resene Nero or Resene Charcoal for a bold statement door or fence detailing. Add the crispness of Resene Eighth Rice Cake to finish off the trim and fretwork for a polished look.

Top tip: For a durable and weather-resistant finish on exteriors, opt for Resene Sonyx 101 semi-gloss for high-performance areas, while Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen provides a more subtle finish and Resene Lumbersider Matt offers a modern, flat look perfect for hiding imperfections. These products are all designed to withstand our challenging climate while maintaining their colour and integrity.


A fancy tipple of pale pink, Resene Sauvignon, adorns this exterior with a contrasting front door and fence painted in Resene Black. The trims, eaves and fretwork are painted in Resene Alabaster. Project by Ahha Architects, painting by Sims & Blue, image by Momentum Agency.


This home’s sleek design sets it apart. The three-storey exterior bay window is highlighted using a nostalgic, inviting green, Resene Bach, which contrasts beautifully with the frames and posts in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black. Project by Spacecraft Architects, image by David Straight.

Bold façade

If you're keen to be a little more daring, a bold exterior is the way to go. By using contrasting colours like rich reds and deep blacks, you can turn your home into a piece of art. Bold façades create energy and personality, setting your home apart from others on the block. Have a play with vibrant, fiery reds like Resene Poppy and Resene Flash Point, or brilliant blues like Resene Endeavour and Resene Tory Blue, balanced with Resene Ebony or Resene All Black for an edgier, darker contrast.

Top tips:

  • If you’re making a statement with bold hues, use a gloss finish like Resene Super Gloss or Resene Enamacryl to bring out the intensity of the colour. Or apply Resene Clearcoat UVS over the top of your paintwork for extra UV protection and a high gloss finish.

  • When using dark shades for your exterior, 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.


This serene, sun-filled space with its clean lines, soft white details and natural materials perfectly captures the tranquil, coastal elegance of a relaxed, Hamptons vibe. The plaster cladding is painted in Resene Foggy Grey with balustrades, posts and joinery in Resene Wan White from the Karen Walker Paints collection. Project by Abri Architects, image by Katrina Weidner.

Cape calm

The classic charm of Cape Cod or Hamptons-style homes never goes out of style. With its soft, coastal feel and timeless appeal, this exterior style is ideal if you want to evoke a sense of calm and serenity. Light, airy shades like Resene Half Surrender paired with natural timber accents in Resene Woodsman Natural wood stain or Resene Woodsman Cedar Wood Oil Aorangi create a welcoming, seaside vibe that’s both stylish and relaxed. If you’re after something with a bit more substance, go for the deep tones of Resene Rhino or Resene Jimmy Dean paired with a crisp white like Resene Quarter Merino for a sophisticated yet laid-back style.

Top tip:Remember to finish your deck too, to help keep it in good condition and reduce the risk of splinters. Always wash, not water blast your deck to avoid damaging the timber. Wash with Resene Timber and Deck Wash then finish in Resene Woodsman Decking Oil Stain for a coloured finish, Resene Furniture and Decking Oil for a natural look or Resene Kwila Timber Stain for a classic Kwila look.

Published: 01 Sep 2025

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

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