Painting the perfect picture: Timeless home exterior ideas
Choosing the right exterior colours for your home is more than just a design decision – it’s about creating a lasting impression that reflects your surroundings and personal style. From serene blues that evoke the countryside to bold blacks for contemporary flair, there’s a palette to suit every aesthetic and location. These Resene paints and wood stains offer inspiration for a home that stands out and stays timeless.
Country blues
This country home, build with a villa aesthetic, is painted in Resene Hi-Glo tinted to Resene Kensington Grey with fretwork and decorative scrolls in Resene Friar Greystone and veranda and trims in Resene Half Rice Cake. Project by David Wraight Cottages, image by Juliet Nicholas.
Blues are a natural fit for country settings, evoking a sense of calm and harmony with the outdoors. From soft sky blues to blue toned greys and deeper denim tones, these shades mirror the surrounding landscape, whether it’s the clear open skies, rolling hills or nearby rivers and lakes. Lighter blues bring a fresh, airy feel, while darker navy tones offer a more grounded, stately presence. On this home, Resene Kensington Grey shows its subtle blue pigment from the reflection of the sky above.
Try popular blue shades on your home’s exterior like Resene Quarter Frozen, Resene Nepal, Resene Bluff and Resene Coast. These colours also work beautifully for soothing spaces inside.
Back in black
This bold, dark exterior is stained in Resene Woodsman Pitch Black for an elegant and contemporary look that blends with the natural landscape. Project by Daniel Marshall, DMA, image by Jackie Meiring.
Dark exteriors bring a bold, sophisticated edge to any home, offering a striking contrast to surrounding landscapes and greenery. Moody tones like blacks and charcoals pair beautifully with materials like stone, timber and metal, allowing for endless design possibilities. Whether you’re aiming for contemporary elegance or rustic charm, a dark exterior delivers standout curb appeal with undeniable character.
Create a modern yet timeless aesthetic with dark hues like Resene Zeus and Resene Charcoal or Resene Woodsman stains in shades like Resene Treehouse and ReseneCrowshead.
Top tip: When choosing darker colours outdoors, opt for a ReseneCoolColour formula. A ReseneCoolColour looks like a standard Resenecolour, but thanks to special pigment technology, the ReseneCoolColour will reflect more harmful UV light and heat away from the surface to help protect the integrity of the substrate.
Washed ashore
This timber cladding is finished in Resene Woodsman Whitewash with trims in Resene Double Sea Fog. Project by Strachan Group Architects, image by Simon Devitt.
Lighter wood stains are an ideal choice for any home but look especially great in coastal locations. Their relaxed, laid-back feel echoes the natural tones of sandy beaches and driftwood, creating a seamless connection between the home and its surroundings. Light wood stains also enhance the texture and grain of timber, adding depth and character while maintaining a fresh, airy aesthetic.
They pair effortlessly with coastal palettes of soft blues and whites. Try Resene Woodsman Whitewash with Resene Black White, Resene Half Breathless and Resene Designer White.
Going grey
This villa was painted in bright neutrals to keep it looking fresh and current for years to come. The weatherboards are painted in Resene Concrete, trims, soffits and fascia in Resene Half Black White, front door and pillars in Resene Bokara Grey and steps in Resene Triple Concrete. Project by Leonie von Sturmer, image by Jono Parker.
A gentle silvery grey like Resene Concrete is a great option if you’re notkeen ona stark white for your exterior. Greys can bring subtle sophistication and greater practicality to your design, offering a refined, timeless look that complements a range of architectural styles, from modern to classic. They can also be more forgiving when it comes to dirt and weathering.
Try subtle grey tones like Resene Iron, Resene Quarter Surrender, Resene Quarter Silver Chalice or Resene Half Rakaiapaired with natural elements like stone, wood and lush greenery.
Patio perfection
If you’re not looking to refresh your whole exterior, you can still make a drastic change by just updating your outdoor patio or deck area. Choose your favourite theme and build on it with your chosen colour palette like we have in these vibrant and welcoming patios:
Create a neutral golden glow with layers of warm creams and beige. The rear batten wall is painted in Resene Half Putty, trellis wall and table in Resene Triple Pearl Lusta, decking stained in Resene Woodsman Uluru, planter and hooks in Resene Bullwhip and chair painted in Resene Teak. Plant from Adairs, cushion and chair from H&M Home, light from Lighting Direct, throw and tumbler from Kmart. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
In this summery space, the decking is stained in Resene Woodsman Natural with side wall painted in Resene Halcyon, rear wall in Resene Bluff, concrete paver design in Resene Walk-on paving paint in Resene Halcyon and Resene Bluff, sideboard in Resene Hammerhead, table in Resene Quarter Blanc, planters in Resene Pale Prim, light in Resene Solitude and small pot in Resene Halcyon. Chair, cushions and pots from French Collections. Project by Melle van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.
Try these themed colour palettes to see what suits your space:
Hamptons
Tuscan
Farmhouse
No matter where your home is or what style you love, choosing the right exterior colours can elevate your design while blending beautifully with the natural environment. With thoughtful colour choices your home’s exterior can become a true reflection of your lifestyle and personality – welcoming, stylish and built to endure.
For more inspiration check out Resene’s exteriors decorating inspiration gallery. You can also pop into your local Resene ColorShop for more exterior colour advice, Ask a Resene Colour Expert online for help or book a colour consultation with a Resene Colour Expert free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas.
Published: 17 Dec 2024
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Nepal
Resene Quarter Frozen
Resene Quarter Frozen
Resene Bluff
Resene Coast
Resene Zeus
Resene Charcoal
Resene Charcoal
Resene Treehouse
Resene Treehouse
Resene Crowshead
Resene Crowshead
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Designer White
Resene Designer White
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Iron
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Putty
Resene Half Putty
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Bullwhip
Resene Bullwhip
Resene Teak
Resene Halcyon
Resene Halcyon
Resene Pale Prim
Resene Pale Prim
Resene Solitude
Resene Solitude
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 Kensington Grey
Resene Kensington Grey
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Half Rice Cake
Resene Nepal
Resene Quarter Frozen
Resene Quarter Frozen
Resene Bluff
Resene Coast
Resene Zeus
Resene Charcoal
Resene Charcoal
Resene Treehouse
Resene Treehouse
Resene Crowshead
Resene Crowshead
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Double Sea Fog
Resene Black White
Resene Black White
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Half Breathless
Resene Designer White
Resene Designer White
Resene Concrete
Resene Concrete
Resene Half Black White
Resene Half Black White
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Bokara Grey
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Triple Concrete
Resene Iron
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Surrender
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Quarter Silver Chalice
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Rakaia
Resene Half Putty
Resene Half Putty
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Triple Pearl Lusta
Resene Bullwhip
Resene Bullwhip
Resene Teak
Resene Halcyon
Resene Halcyon
Resene Pale Prim
Resene Pale Prim
Resene Solitude
Resene Solitude
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.