But ‘purple’ can mean many things from dramatically deep plum like Resene Blackberry through the true violet purple of Resene Showstopper to the delicate lilac of Resene Fog which means it is a surprisingly versatile shade that we think deserves a closer look.

It can offer a degree of colour saturation and richness that few other colours can achieve, or with the blue and grey undertones of muted mauves it can be restrained and restful. The key to using purple is to get just the right tone for your space and complete colour palette, in just the right amount.

First glance

Resene Colour Consultant Amy Watkins is a fan of the drama darker colours can bring and suggests trying Resene Black Doris on all the walls of a formal dining or living area paired with contrasting trims in dusty grey-blue Resene Unite to soften the space and highlight the purple.

For a softer colour combination more suited to a bedroom or day-to-day living space, Amy suggests trying greyed lilac Resene Alaska for walls with muted teal Resene Epic for trims or furniture pieces.

To make the most of the restful nature of paler colours in the purple palette, Amy says the key is to keep to light or muted colours like cool Resene Breathless. To add some edginess or personality to these softer colour tones, Amy suggests looking at a contrasting or darker colour tone to use as a highlight in small amounts; just a piece of furniture or other feature accent. Try mid-toned blue Resene Rulebreaker or muted orange Resene Tuscany for this contemporary twist.

A purple history

Shades of purple have, if you’ll excuse the pun, a colourful history. Mauve in particular is famous for being the world’s first synthetic dye colour, created by accident in the 1850s when British chemist William Henry Perkin was trying to synthesise quinine for the treatment of malaria.

The discovery triggered something of a boom in synthetic dye, making dyed textiles cheaper and more accessible. Until that point most dyes were made from organic substances. Traditional purple, for example, was made in ancient times from the desiccated glands of sea snails, which made it hugely expensive. That’s one reason the colour is so often associated with luxury and royalty.

Thankfully no sea snails have to die to create today’s purples. Sitting between red and blue on the colour wheel, purple is extremely versatile, able to be dialled up for heat and intensity, or down for cooler, subtle effects.

The colour is also thought to stimulate the imagination, inspiring creativity and fresh ideas, which makes it a perfect shade to experiment with in our interiors.

Lilac, lavender, mauve, violet or purple?

Finding the right purple-toned colour to use is important if you want to embrace the hue without it overwhelming a space.

At one end of the purple spectrum we have lilacs like Resene Blue Chalk, which come from, in simple terms, the red and blue combination to create purple but with more white added. Lavender is often fairly interchangeable with lilac, perhaps slightly darker and bluer. Both colours tend to reflect the flowers they’re named after and both are often thought of as types of mauve.

The important thing to remember though is colour descriptions are pretty subjective and personal. One person’s lilac is another person’s mauve or even amethyst, and one person’s violet is another person’s indigo or plum.

The key is to get a broad understanding so you can start to filter through whole spectrum colours to find the shades of purple you love, and work out the colour combinations that will offer you the finished result you want.

Top tip:  Soft greys with the hint of a blue or lilac undertone like Resene Ted are a good neutral base for other deeper mauves and purples like Resene De Janeiro or Resene Grapevine.

Affordable luxury

Given its historical association with wealth and royalty, painting your rooms in deep, jewel-toned purples can be a cost-effective way to get a luxurious finish.

Pair smoky, rich Resene Enigma, look great with metallics like Resene Gold for a luxurious glamour that feels aged and regal. Try your metallic mixed Resene FX Paint Effects Medium, to create a more worn, burnished and lived-in finish.

Complete your room with plenty of glass or brass to reflect light and add a layer of luxury fabrics like suede, velvet or faux fur.

Cut through the richness with a hint of fresh yellow in Resene Rum Swizzle on trim and for added maximalism try sharp acid green Resene Happy Hour.

If you want a darker shade of luxury that’s not purple, try charcoal Resene Mine Shaft and then incorporate your purples as pastel lilacs and violets like Resene Lola or Resene Divine as highlight colours.

Modern millennial pink

Through most of the 2010s, blush, peachy shades known as ‘millennial pinks’ were a strong trend in interior colour palettes. As we’ve hit the 2020s that trend has evolved to see soft, pastel lilacs often taking up the role of a subtle colour that can be used essentially as a neutral.

Try walls in Resene Chalk Lavender then finish the space with tonal layers of similarly dreamy colours like Resene Breathless or Resene Misty Lavender for a soothing, calming space. Run the spectrum from lavender to warm blue-greys with touches of Resene Dusted Blue and Resene Destiny.

Resene Ghost, a grey-mauve, is another soothing shade that works well as a neutral. Try it paired with the crisp blue of Resene Jagged Ice and creamy Resene Astra.

Top tip:  Use a lavender shade like Resene Half Fog on your ceilings for an unexpected twist, and pair with a deep green like Resene Half Forest Green or burgundy Resene Aubergine for extra impact. For a subtler finish, pair it with walls in class Resene Half Alabaster.

Other purple combinations to try:

• Vivid purple Resene Daisy Bush with bright green Resene Feijoa
• Plummy Resene Fandango with citrusy Resene Lemon Twist
• Greyed Resene Poet with fresh aqua Resene Kumutoto
• Violet Resene Grape Escape with taupe Resene Credence

With any of these shades that run between pale lilac to deep violet, the world is your purple oyster. Spend some time experimenting with Resene testpots and colour charts to work out where in the spectrum your tastes sit, and how you can use these versatile shades your way.

January 30, 2023

For help choosing colours to suit your projects, visit your local Resene ColorShop, ask a Resene Colour Expert online or book a Resene Colour Consultation.

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