Nothing compares to the classics

From the Resene decorating blog

While hopping on to the latest trend can be tempting, not having to redecorate every few years is a goal for many homeowners. But how do you keep your spaces from going stale?

Beginning with a strong base built with timeless classic colours is important if you want your interior scheme to last. Luckily, Resene has the Classics Collection and the Resene The Range Whites and Neutrals collection which provide a wide breadth of classic paint colours that are perfect for any home.

Long enduring colours include blues, greens, greys, reds, blacks and whites and will serve you well as a starting point. Try these ideas for cultivating a classic scheme in these hues that’ll keep your home looking fresh for years to come.

A calming blue-green bedroom

A calming blue-green moodboard

Bedroom: Walls in Resene Juniper, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, headboard in Resene Dover White, bench in Resene Balderdash, pendant lamp in Resene Double Sea Fog with Resene Rose Gold metallic paint, bedside table in Resene Double Sea Fog (top and base) and Resene Hammerhead (underneath), vertical ribbed vases in Resene Balderdash and Resene Double Sea Fog, ombre plant pot in Resene Celeste (top), Resene Terrain (middle) and Resene Cobblestone (bottom) and large basket (with plant) in Resene Double Sea Fog. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton. Moodboard: Timber floorboards in background stained in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash waterborne timber stain with A4 drawdown paint swatches in (from left to right) Resene Balderdash, Resene Juniper and Resene Sea Fog and vases in Resene Balderdash (left) and Resene Double Sea Fog (right). Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.

Blues

Blue is a hue that will never go out of fashion, inside or out. Consistently considered to be the most popular colour in the world, it brings a calming and elegant feel to any room or exterior. Plus, it comes in so many tones that it’s impossible not to find one that you like.

If you are looking to create a chic look that you could put a nautical spin on, try classic coastal blues like Resene Breathless, Resene Solitude, Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Breeze. If you are after a more regal environment, darker blues and navy can help make that magic happen. Reach for Resene Indian Ink, Resene Bunting, Resene Dark Knight and Resene Coast.

Denim blues – those with grey undertones – are the perfect pick for outdoors. If you have an older home, particularly if it’s a weatherboard cladded villa, you can’t go wrong with shades like Resene Inside Back, Resene Dusted Blue or Resene Hammerhead trimmed with Resene Half Sea Fog, Resene Half Merino or Resene Alabaster.

Greens

Greens can offer so much to a space. Although often looked over as an ‘in-your-face’ colour, greens can be soothing and bring a natural aspect to the game. From dark greens to pale, neutral greens there is something for every space and every person in the Classics Collection.

Bathrooms look amazing with deep-toned green feature walls to adds warmth to a typically clinical area. Try Resene Palm Green, Resene Permanent Green or Resene Forest Green. Light greens are able to offer a tranquil feeling and are coupled with the idea of a spa or beauty salon. They work well in living rooms and bedrooms to ensure your environments made for relaxing, do just that. Go to classic light greens include Resene Spanish Green, Resene Pewter, Resene Bud and Resene Coriander.

Greys

A colour that has had a significant resurgence in the last decade is grey. With so many options available, you can easily repaint your walls with a grey that suits your current furniture and home décor.

Deeper greys work well with contrasting furniture in whites, blacks and gold as they become a part of the setting. Deep greys to try are Resene Armadillo, Resene Quarter Gravel and Resene Half Baltic Sea. Lighter greys are perfect to give a clean look to a room without using white. These lighter greys allow you to be a bit more adventurous with your décor and furniture colours. If you have warmer toned pieces try a similar toned light grey like Resene Triple Ash, Resene Half Linen and Resene Half Tana. If your furniture is in cooler tones, then reach for cool greys like Resene Iron, Resene Quarter Rakaia, and Resene Surrender.

A grey room with a brown wall mural

A bright yellow front door

Sitting room: Back wall (from top to bottom) in Resene Zulu, Resene Antidote, Resene Sorrell Brown and Resene Lone Ranger, right wall in Resene Half Wood Bark, floor finished in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, bookshelf in Resene Zulu, large plant pot in Resene Sorrell Brown and small plant pot on shelf in Resene Antidote. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton. Front door: Door in Resene Turbo, trim in Resene Black White, weatherboards in Resene Triple Concrete, deck finished in Resene Woodsman Mid Greywash, bench in Resene Tuna, plant pots in (from left to right) Resene Black White, Resene Silver Chalice and Resene Nocturnal, house numbers in Resene Nocturnal and house on door mat painted in Resene Tuna. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

Reds

The popularity of red is everlasting. So many people enjoy having red in their homes because of the way it adds energetic warmth to a space, bringing liveliness and passion along with it.

For a timeless look, try traditional reds with light to mid toned taupe browns or grey browns such as Resene Dynamite with Resene Schooner or Resene Mondo. Or bring it into a living room with a feature wall in a deep and fearless red like Resene Hot Chile, Resene Pohutukawa and Resene Red Oxide for a dramatic look. Red browns also provide moody emotions that can work well in a home office or a living room. Think Resene Redwood, Resene Pioneer Red and Resene Desperado paired with Resene Settlement, Resene Brown Pod or Resene Half Secrets for three completely different looks.

Red is also a classic option for a front door. Try a statement red like Resene Jalapeno or Resene Red Berry with weatherboards in Resene Bastille for contrast and extra drama. Choose Resene Enamacryl waterborne enamel for a durable high gloss sheen or opt for Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel to get the same durability in a lower sheen.

Blacks

Dramatic and timeless, black is about as classic as colours come. While true blacks can be difficult to work with in our lighting as they will often end up looking washed out, softer charcoal blacks, near-black greys and inky blue-blacks are great options for creating a sophisticated scheme such as Resene Jaguar, Resene Nocturnal, Resene Foundry and Resene Indian Ink.

A grey lounge decorated with houseplants

A grey and blue moodboard

Lounge: Wall and trims in Resene Black White, checkerboard floor in Resene Black White and Resene Triple Black White, coffee table in Resene Westar, shelf in Resene Black White, jug vase in Resene Gumboot (top) and Resene Black White (bottom), large bowl in Resene Gumboot and Resene Saltpan, geometric plant pot in Resene Quarter Chicago, ombre plant pot in Resene Celeste (top), Resene Terrain (middle) and Resene Cobblestone (bottom) and woven pendant lamp in Resene Despacito. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton. Moodboard: Background in Resene Quarter Concrete with timber plank stained in Resene Woodsman Mid Greywash, house numbers in Resene Nocturnal, testpot in Resene Turbo and A4 sized drawdown painted swatches in (from left to right) Resene Silver Chalice, Resene Black White, Resene Quarter Concrete, Resene Triple Concrete, Resene Tuna and Resene Nocturnal. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

Whites

Saving the most classic for last, whites have been around for centuries and will continue to be around for centuries more. They lend a clean and simple look to any room and work wonderfully with literally any other colour you can imagine.

Whether you want all crisp white walls or a slightly warmer tone, look to the Resene The Range Whites and Neutrals collection for favourite whites that you’ll love for as long as they’re on your walls. Cool whites are crisp and can make a space look modern, fresh and clean. To get the look, try timeless options like Resene Half Black White, Resene Quarter Sea Fog, Resene Quarter Merino and Resene Half Alabaster. If you prefer a warmer space, go for Resene Rice Cake or Resene Eighth Spanish White which have soft and creamy undertones.