The sky's the limit

From habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2022

The world’s all-time favourite colour, blue, is always relevant. Evocative of the sea and sky, no hue is said to be more relaxing or restful.

Blue stands for integrity, power, tranquillity and health, and is considered to be beneficial to the mind and body. Plus, our natural light and relatively temperate climate make blue an appropriate and evergreen choice for any room. Whether on your walls, floor, ceiling, furniture or accessories, there’s simply nowhere blue won’t do. And given Resene’s wide-ranging and diverse options, it’s a hue that makes it easy for us to keep finding fresh and exciting alternatives to the shades of previous seasons.

A sky blue lounge

A beachy blue home entryway

Lounge: Wall in Resene Nepal with Resene FX Paint Effects Medium coloured with Resene Frozen, floor in Resene Blanc, coffee table in Resene Tuscany and console table in Resene Bokara Grey. Sofa from Wolf & Co, rug from Good Thing, cushions from Adairs, ceramics from Formantics, artwork by Maiko Nagao, candlesticks from Power Surge, lamp from Lighting Plus. Entryway: Beachy blues like Resene Frozen and Resene Blue Moon continue to be top colour picks for relaxing spaces. Wall in Resene Frozen, floor in Resene Alabaster, bench seat in Resene Quarter Frozen and hook rack and basket in Resene Blue Moon. Rug from Freedom.

Cool, greyed and classic coastal blues such as Resene Nepal, Resene Frozen, Resene Blue Moon and Resene Midnight Express remain popular picks for interior decorating. But just like many of today’s popular hues, there’s plenty of indication that warmer varieties are set to make a big splash.

Top tip: Take your chosen blue from your walls onto your ceiling to soften the edges of the room and create a more cocooning vibe.

A blue bedroom with plaid and gingham textiles

Plaid and gingham textiles have made a huge comeback. Not only do these designs bring an effortlessly casual vibe to your living space, their hues often offer up amazing inspiration for chic and unexpected colour palettes. Walls and vase in Resene Jet Stream, trims in Resene St Kilda, floor stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt, chair in Resene Digeridoo and bedside table drawer in Resene St Kilda. Bedspread from Penney + Bennett, lamp from Good Form.

Warmer waters

Look forward to seeing a wave of warmer aqua tones such as Resene Shakespeare, Resene St Kilda and Resene Hippie Blue emerging as trends. While these colours will bring a strong style statement on their own as a feature wall, floor or headboard when paired with adjacent walls in a favourite pale blue like Resene Reservoir or Resene Zumthor, you can get ahead of the curve by bringing in touches of soon-to-be-trending pastels like Resene Cashmere and Resene First Light.

But if you’re not quite ready to embrace aqua just yet, try incorporating accents and accessories in warmer denim blues, such as Resene True Blue and Resene Kashmir Blue, to freshen up your colour scheme.

Deep watery blue lounge

A blue and white home interior

Lounge: Flip the script and go for a dramatic look with deep watery blues as your base layered with lighter tonal accents instead of the more predictable reverse – you won’t be sorry. Wall, coffee table and console in Resene Midnight Express, floor in Resene True Blue and accessories in Resene True Blue, Resene Kashmir Blue and Resene Smokescreen. Sofa from Nood, rug and cushions from Freedom, artwork from Kmart. Sideboard: Left wall in Resene St Kilda, right wall in Resene Zumthor and floor in Resene Colorwood Dark Ebony. Sideboard from Danske Møbler, lamp from Matisse, artwork from Slow Store.

Top tip: For the ultimate timeless combination, pair your favourite Resene blue with a crisp white like Resene Half Alabaster, Resene Half Black White or warmer Resene Bianca.

An aqua blue dining area

Master bedroom with blue panelling

Dining area: If you’re drawn to a bolder aqua but are afraid it may be too strong for your walls, it might be the perfect choice for your ceiling or floor instead. Wall and plant pot in Resene Reservoir and floor in Resene Hippie Blue. Bench from Good Form, lamp and cups from Città. Bedroom: Upper wall in Resene Flotsam, panelling and shelf in Resene Navigate and floor in Resene Jumbo. Bedlinen from Penney + Bennett, chair from Cintesi, lamp from Good Form, rug from Mulberi, shelf from Made of Tomorrow, clock and throw from Father Rabbit, artwork from Melanie Roger Gallery.

Resene Half Black White

Resene Half Alabaster

Resene Quarter Frozen

Resene Midnight Express

▸ Download a PDF of this article

habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2022

Search Habitat articles

Want to get your own free copy of future issues of Habitat magazine?

Retail customers and homeowners: All Resene ColorShop and DIY Cardholders are sent a copy of each issue of Habitat. Sign up for your free card here - Australian residents - New Zealand residents.
Specifiers: Sign up for Habitat here.

If you have an idea, project or story that you think would suit Habitat plus, we’d love to hear from you. Please drop us an email with your details and include photos if submitting a project.

Habitat plus are not mailed directly. They are available free from Resene ColorShops and resellers while stocks last and available for viewing online.

View all habitat plus booklets...

› View all habitat plus booklets › View all habitat issues

› Choose colour with confidence and creativity › View seasonal colour trends

Resene Paints Ltd – www.resene.com