Fresh and uplifting colours to brighten your home

Of all the seasons, spring is a favourite among many.

A moodboard featuring spring greens

Green, a true spring darling colour, can be brought into a space in different tones to add varied depth. Its gentle touches reflect the landscapes that surround us, working hard to anchor our spaces with tranquillity.

Background in Resene Quarter Lemon Grass, DIY art in Resene Contour and Resene Lemon Grass, book in Resene Tic Tac Toe, A4 drawdown swatches in Resene Nirvana and Resene Lemon Grass, bowl in Resene Scrub, round tealight holder in Resene Green Days. Styling by Vanessa Nouwens and photography by Bryce Carleton.

The dreary winter has passed and the sun stays in the sky for longer. It’s a sign of new life and rebirth among the baby lambs and fresh flower daffodil buds. With this external change comes a sense of wanting to bring it indoors too, evoking the same freshness and vitality in inside spaces.

What better time to give your home a sense of renewal too, with fresh, uplifting colours. These colours will welcome the warmer days with open arms, leaving your home feeling brighter and fresher. A simple coat of new pant in a different colour can be just the tonic, bringing a sense of cheer and happiness to an otherwise dreary space.

Spring-perfect colours don’t have to stay in place for that season only, they can offer a sense of optimism all year round.

So what on-trend colours best tie in with a new start? The current spring hues are still tied closely to those of recent years, think energetic soft greens, calming lilacs and dusky blues.

The change this year is that we’re seeing a gentle move towards grey, Resene Colour Consultant Brooke Calvert says. “The spring colour palette has remained largely unchanged from previous years, except for a shift towards modern pastels with a subtle touch of grey. Having the touch of grey makes the colours a lot more adaptable to work in with existing and other colours.”

Think moody, soft grey with a touch of nostalgia, such as Resene Half Scarpa Flow or Resene Half Copyrite, or Resene Barely There. Pair these perfectly with the warm peach of Resene Half Sour Dough and the grounding taupe of Resene Pale Oyster.

Kate Alexander, design director at Places and Graces says neutrals are still the go-to for many kiwis but simple white-on-white is starting to evolve into clients wanting a more warmth and interest.

“Tone-on-tone continues to be a trend, but they are getting a bit more adventurous by mixing warm and cool, i.e. Resene Double Pearl Lusta with Resene Triple Sea Fog or Resene Truffle with Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Or choose one white but bring in the doubles and triples to get more depth. The typical spring colours i.e. pale versions of yellow, blue, green, pink and purple are being used as a feature colour working with and within a neutral palette.”

Bringing a spring palette into your home allows the chance to get playful with your pastels, tying them in with bold colours for a sense of something unique.

Of all the many things to love about spring paint colours and the looks they can create, Resene colour consultant Brooke Calvert says, the fresh and airy feeling they provide is hard to beat. “Create a light and airy feeling in your home. Think of colours like pale greens, blues, and yellows that evoke the feeling of a sunny spring day.” Channel this feeling with colours such as tranquil Resene Duck Egg Blue, the warm yellow of Resene Moonbeam and the soft green of Resene Norway. The combination speaks of days out in the sunshine, walks on the beach and explorations in the native bush.

A lounge painted in nature inspired blues and greens

Pay homage to the enlivening colours of the natural world with blues and greens the restore and inspire. Add tactile surfaces such as this vertical trellis, to appeal to the senses and add visual delight.

Floor in Resene Colorwood Shade, wall in Resene Duck Egg Blue, trellis in Resene Colorwood Shore Thing, cabinet in Resene Green Spring, coffee table in Resene Inside Back. Wooden side table in Resene Colorwood Bask, DIY magazine table in Resene Colorwood Bask, tall vase with greenery in Resene Colorwood Shore Thing, round beaded deco on stand Resene Colorwood Bask, bowl in Resene Duck Egg Blue. Sofa and tealight holder from Freedom, rug from Kmart, island print cushion from Leopard Hall, aqua cushions and throw from Adairs, jute rectangle cushion from Mocka and linen look green cushion from The Warehouse. Project by Vanessa Nouwens and images by Bryce Carleton.

Spring also evokes a sense of renewal, Brooke says. “Create a sense of renewal and rejuvenation in your home. Soft pinks, greens, and blues can create a calming and soothing atmosphere that feels like a fresh start.” Here we think of the blue-lilac grey of Resene Breathless, Resene Fountain Blue and peach pink of Resene Sakura.

But that doesn’t rule out a pop of colour, Brooke says. “Add a pop of colour to your home after a long winter of neutral tones. Bright and cheerful colours like coral, turquoise, and yellow can add a fun and playful element to any room.” Easy additions include the sunset tones of Resene Ayers Rock and watery blue-green of Resene Reservoir.

Bring the outside in through spring colours, that hone in on the natural environment, leaving us feeling restored and at peace. Grounding hues made their mark at the time of the pandemic and, unsurprisingly, they’re here to stay, satisfying our desire to connect with nature. “Many spring paint colours are inspired by nature and incorporating them into your home can bring the outdoors inside. Soft greens, blues, and earthy browns can create a natural and organic feel that is both calming and refreshing.”

Overall, spring paint colours can create a fresh, airy, and rejuvenating atmosphere in your home. Whether you want to add a pop of colour or create a cohesive look, there are many beautiful spring-inspired colours to choose from in the Resene Range Fashion Colours 24.

A mood boosting colour scheme

Warm, creamy whites and soft, soulful blushes pair here in a setting that can only be described as fresh and serene. A focus on wellness within this colour palette allows gentle white to enhance the sense of light in the space, while sweet pinks make you want to linger for longer.

Floor Resene Breathe Easy, walls Resene Triple Black White, fireplace Resene Half Black White (Lustacryl), stencil inside fireplace Triple Black White, inside of fireplace Resene Eighth Black White, side table Resene Triple Black White, art Resene Eighth Black White, fluted side table and round table Resene Triple Black White. Wall sconces Resene Black White, vases and books Resene Eighth Black White. Lamp with linen shade A &C Homestore, sofa Soren Liv, chair David Shaw, cushions Baya, wooden bowl H&M Home and rug Yuva Rugs. Styling by Melle van Sambeek and image by Bryce Carleton.

“The palette features calming yet unconventional colour combinations that encourage us to rely on our instincts rather than overthinking which colours to pair together,” Brooke says.

She suggests bringing in a perfect spring palette at home through the pastel green of Resene Nirvana and pink of Resene Soul Searcher to exude a refreshing spring vibe. “Balance this with touches of earthy terracotta in Resene Kombucha and the vibrant summery pink of Resene Awaken, preventing the overall look from being too delicate,” Brooke says. “This soothing colour combination would be an excellent choice for creating a restorative atmosphere in bathrooms or sun-drenched bedrooms – any space where you seek to unwind and recharge.”

One of the difficulties of spring colours is that they may feel too candy-like. To avoid this, think laterally, bringing in a hint of the unexpected to provide an edge to these soft shades. “When incorporating bright and airy spring colours into your scheme, balance them with a bold or deep shade to avoid an overly sweet look,” says Brooke.

Kate suggests avoiding mixing a lot of spring colour together. “Choose one hue, such as pink, and use it with the rest of your neutral palette, i.e. your white. Or combine it with a darker tone of pink. It’s when you mix a pink, blue and yellow together that it starts to get like an easter egg. If you don’t want a tone-on-tone room then make sure you mix the soft spring colour with something that has plenty of punch.”

A forest green and pink bedroom

Pair bold, rich colours with softer spring hues to create a sophisticated and versatile setting, unexpected in colour combinations and rewarding to observe.

Wall in Resene Forest Green, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, headboard painted in Resene Coral Tree, small round side table in Resene Coral Tree, round bedside table in Resene Meringue, tall Vase with branches in Resene Coral Tree, books in Resene Forest Green and Resene Summer Rose, small vase with green leaves on small round side table in Resene Coral Tree, DIY Art work in Resene Coral Tree and Resene Meringue. King Stonewash quilt cover and pillowcases in Colour Earth from Adairs, Kimmy Hogan lumbar linen floral cushion from Adairs, round striped blush cushion and round boucle cushion from Mocka, autumn leaves stem in pink from Adairs (in tall vase on bedside), green linen throw from H&M Home, forest green square linen cushion from Adiars, swirly pink and cream rectangle cushion cover from H&M Home, boucle chair and white candle on bedside stylist’s own. Project by Vanessa Nouwens and image by Bryce Carleton.

Other suggestions for using spring hues include mixing and matching colours from other colour families, Brooke says. “Combine different shades of spring colours with neutral or earthy tones to create a balanced and cohesive look. Add contrast: Introduce bold or dark elements such as black or navy to create contrast and balance out the softness of the pastel colours.”

Think beyond your paint colours too, bringing in décor that adds another dimension to your space. “Use texture: Incorporate different textures such as wood, metal, or woven materials to add depth and interest to the space,” Brooke says.

She encourages people to get playful with patterns, bringing in designs that move away from the ordinary: “Patterns such as stripes, checks, or geometric shapes to break up the monotony of the spring colours.”

“By following these tips, you can create a refined and elegant spring colour scheme that feels fresh and modern,” Brooke says.