On-trend autumn colours to fall in love with

From the Resene decorating blog

As the days get cooler and the natural world bursts into colour, it’s the perfect time warm up your home with some equally vibrant hues.

When we think of autumn colours, blazing reds, oranges and yellows immediately come to mind. Incorporating these colours into your home’s design can not only make you feel in sync with the world outside your window, but it also captures a sense of immediate warmth – ideal for creating cosiness as we head into the cooler months.

An industrial style home office

This industrial-style office strikes the perfect balance between vibrancy and sophistication. The two-toned wall creates an ideal backdrop for bright pops of autumn colour. Rusty reds, sunny yellows and grass greens are paired with elements of wood to create a truly rustic atmosphere.

Upper wall painted in Resene Quarter Ash with lower shelf wall in Resene Cinder and timber floor stained in Resene Colorwood Natural. Locker, chair and bins on upper shelf in Resene Half Forest Green, desk legs, pendant lamp, desk organiser and magazine holders in Resene Mocha, desk lamp, perforated bin and ribbed jar in Resene Fuel Yellow, timber shelf stained in Resene Colorwood Natural with metal pipe supports in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect, painted books in Resene Mocha, Resene Fuel Yellow and Resene Half Forest Green, plant pots in Resene Mocha (raised) and Resene Nero (with ivy) and chalkboard and jar with paint brushes in Resene Cinder. Stool and clock from Nood, rug from Citta, desk from Mocka, locker from IKEA, bottle and ‘5’ from Junk & Disorderly, jug pitcher from Flotsam and Jetsam, candles from Nocturne Goods. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.

A cosy living room painted with clay-tinted whites

This cosy living room keeps things classy with clay-tinted whites. Introducing subtle elements of brown, white and timber creates an elegant depth that is perfect for immersing yourself in during autumn. Clean lines paired with textured materials proves an effective combo when it comes to bridging the gap between summer and winter.

Wall painted in Resene Triple Spanish White with battens in Resene Half Spanish White, floating shelf in Resene Half Spanish White, floor in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, coffee table and tealight holder in Resene Stonewashed, footed little bowl on shelf in Resene Tea, round short vase in Resene Villa White and DIY line artwork in Resene Tea with lines in Resene Ironsand. Sofa from Target Furniture, loopy cushion cover and rectangular cushion from H&M Home, beige cushion, linen textured square cushion, faux nut foliage from Freedom, mug from Cotton On. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.

There’s a delicate balance between packing a punch with your autumn colours and completely overwhelming a space with them. Less is more when it comes to strong primary colours and some well-placed colourful décor can have a huge impact on even the smallest space. Dip your toe into an autumn scheme with a neutral base for your walls. Warm whites and light greys such as Resene Alabaster or Resene Quarter Ash are a great place to start. If you’re looking for something darker, stormy black blues such as Resene Indian Ink and Resene Cinder will provide the perfect background for those vibrant autumn colours to really pop.

For the ultimate neutral contrast, a two-toned wall of off-white and black is a must try. Use colours that have warm yellow or red undertones and feature your darker colour on the lower half of the wall to ground the space. With a warm neutral base complete, you’re ready to add colour! Décor painted in autumn hues including rich Resene Mocha, vibrant Resene Fuel Yellow and dewy Resene Half Forest Green will bring your space to life.

Introducing colour through your décor allows you to experiment with trending tones and swap them out with the changing seasons, leaving you with a home that is constantly evolving yet still has a timeless foundation.

If your home is more suited to a lighter colour palette, clay tones are another classic to embrace this season. Soul-warming colours such as Resene Tea and Resene Quarter Napa bridge the gap between deep clays and white, keeping things earthy and capturing the heat of those last summer days.

The grounding effect of creams and browns make them ideal for south-facing rooms where sunlight is at a premium. Resene Spanish White is a well-balanced and ever-changing hue that can transform any room into a haven of warm light. It provides an excellent foundation for layering bright autumn colours but can also be paired with different strengths of its own hue, such as pale cream Resene Eighth Spanish White or gold hued Resene Triple Spanish White, for a muted look that doesn’t compromise on depth.

A divine purple dining room

Popular purples are a sure-fire way to create a statement in your autumn home. This divine dining room takes an Art Deco approach to everyday living, transforming the space with daring colour combinations.

Back wall painted in Resene Revolver and Resene Gunsmoke, left wall in Resene Half Aubergine, timber floorboards in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, ‘Murano glass’ cabinet in Resene Mercury with painted design in Resene Greywacke, Resene Gunsmoke and Resene Revolver and handles in Resene La Bamba, table in Resene High Tide, chairs in Resene Blackjack, round tray in Resene La Bamba, vases in Resene La Bamba, Resene Half Aubergine, Resene Greywacke and Resene Mercury, pendant lamp in Resene Mercury and coaster in Resene Half Aubergine. Chairs from Cintesi, lamp from Freedom, jug from Flotsam & Jetsam, rug from The Ivy House. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

A luxe bedroom with an autumn colour palette

This luxe bedroom uses texture to elevate its autumn colour palette. The wall, painted with loose creamy brushstrokes that mimic falling leaves, invites a sense of movement into the space.

Wall in Resene Bleach White with brushstroke texture in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Cashmere, floor in Resene Dover White, skirting board in Resene Bleach White, headboard in Resene Caffeine, DIY stacked box table in Resene Tom Tom, large vase with handles in Resene Karry, seashell vase in Resene Cashmere, pendant lamp and skinny fluted vase in Resene Dover White. Rug from The Ivy House, bedlinens, quilt and throw from H&M Home. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

To enhance the warming qualities of Resene Spanish White, pair it with timber elements such as wooden floors lightly stained in Resene Colorwood Whitewash and furniture painted in earthy grey tones such as Resene Stonewashed. This elegant palette gives a subtle nod to autumn, creating interest and heat where true whites may prove too cold.

Feeling adventurous this season? Pick a purple! Purple has been sweeping through the interior design world of late and adding a touch of purple to your own autumn colour palette is sure to increase its vibrancy and elegance.

Pantone has announced that Very Peri, a striking purple created as part of their educational colour program, is the Colour of The Year for 2022. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, says the colour reflects the transformative times we are living in.

“As we move into a world of unprecedented change, the selection of Pantone Very Peri brings a novel perspective and vision of the trusted and beloved blue colour family, encompassing the qualities of the blues, yet at the same time with its violet red undertone, Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions,” says Leatrice.

Choosing the perfect purple for your home can be challenging yet invigorating. Like all vivid autumn colours, take care to select purples with undertones of red to ensure warmth within your space. Rich Resene Revolver or decadent Resene Half Aubergine will provide dramatic flair and depth to any room.

To offset this richness, paint your trim in restful greys such as Resene Gunsmoke. Alternatively, frame your purple walls with a striking white trim – options like Resene Rice Cake or Resene Quarter White Pointer will complement darker purples while still creating contrast.

Departing from traditional seasonal colours doesn’t necessarily mean a departure from autumn themes in your home. Autumn is all about movement. From falling leaves to shifts in daylight hours, transitioning to a design that mirrors the natural world in motion is an ideal way to embrace these changes in your home.

The key to mimicking movement on your walls is texture. This can be created through methods such as rag-rolling, sponging or using paintable wallpaper. Textured walls are great for transitional spaces such as hallways or rooms with imperfections. The eye moves faster across textured spaces, making a room seem larger and livelier.

Autumn colours that lend themselves to textured features include smooth chocolates, latte browns and sweet caramels. To create a hand-painted look that mimics the falling of autumn leaves, start by painting your walls in a light colour such as Resene Bleach White. Then, using a wide paintbrush or sponge, apply several layers of Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with a slightly darker shade, such as Resene Cashmere, in loose random brushstrokes until your wall is complete.

This method gives you the ability to incorporate more than one trending colour in your design, as well as embodying the feeling of autumn in a unique and abstract way.

Ultimately, your autumn colour palette should reflect colours that inspire you. Take your Resene fandecks and colour charts and head out into nature, choosing colours that will bring a touch of warmth and happiness to your interiors.