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Outdoor affordable luxury

From the Resene decorating blog

There is something innately luxurious and delightful about being able to seamlessly move between indoor and outdoor spaces.

That is even more true if we can manage it in all weathers, at all times of the year, and any time of the day.

Rich, colour-saturated jewel shades

Rich, colour-saturated jewel shades, can work beautifully against neutral house exterior colours to add a sense of abundance and luxury to even simple outdoor spaces.

These weatherboards are painted in Resene Carefree with decking stained in Resene Woodsman Uluru, chairs and hooks in Resene Calypso, sisal rug and large planter in Resene Coast and lamp, small planter and tables in Resene Alabaster. Mug from Le Creuset. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.

Adding a painted design to pavers

Adding a painted design to pavers is a simple way to elevate this cosy sitting spot.

Weatherboards painted in Resene Half Grey Chateau, pavers in Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path tinted to Resene Landscape Grey with stencilled design in Resene Off Piste, table in Resene Grey Chateau and planters in Resene Jimmy Dean and Resene Grey Chateau. Chair, throw and cushions from Nood. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Bryce Carleton.

Whether your outdoor area consists of a small apartment balcony, a modest patio or a sweep of lawn and decking, there are some simple ways to amp up the sense of quiet luxury and comfort, working with Resene paint and products, without blowing out the budget.

Plan a room

When we’re redecorating inside, our ideas and inspirations often come with natural boundaries, because we’re often working on one room at a time. That makes it easier to work to a theme or a look we love – and it can help keep costs down as well.

Outside can seem a little more daunting or disconnected. The trick is to take a similar approach as to designing interiors and look for outdoor spaces that you can treat as rooms.

From there, Resene Colour Expert Meryl Southey suggests thinking about the feel and function you want your outdoor ‘room’ to have and how it will work with the surrounding environment.

“Decide what ambience you want and how that fits into the design and use of the space,” Meryl says. “From there you will also need to consider the aspect of your outdoor room.”

Using muted neutrals outdoors

Muted neutrals inspired by nature give you a softer finish that is surprisingly luxurious when paired with leafy plants and wood grains.

The board and batten wall is stained in Resene Woodsman Smokey Ash with deck in Resene Woodsman Tiri, screen and large planter in Resene Ironsand, table and small planter in Resene Touchstone and small vase in Resene Eighth Friar Greystone. Chairs from Mitre 10, light from Jardin, throw from Furtex.

A luxury outdoor room

Deeper dark colours lend elegance and luxury to an outdoor room and make a beautiful contrasting backdrop to greenery.

Weatherboards and large planter painted in Resene Nocturnal with deck stained in Resene Woodsman Uluru, small planter in Resene Coriander, tray in Resene Waiouru, sculpture rods and wall light in Resene FX Faux Rust Effect and bubble sculpture in Resene Alabaster. Chairs and table from Danske Møbler, speaker from Good Thing. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton.

Other things to consider, Meryl says, are:

Small spaces

If you’re dealing with a small balcony or patio, rather than a sweeping backyard, it’s still possible to add a few luxury touches to make the space appealing to be in.

Start with leafy green plants which can be a really effective way to soften hard concrete or brick backdrops. Try for two or three if space allows and paint them in a range of saturated jewel colours like Resene Very Berry, Resene Deep Teal and Resene Pohutukawa, which work well with many neutral backdrop colours, whether they are pale off-whites or darker charcoal. Finish the look with a classic Adirondack chair painted in a tonally similar colour to your home exterior or another bold jewel shade like sapphire Resene Plan B.

For a more minimalist balcony approach, go for layers of neutrals like Resene Haystack with creamy Resene Half Canterbury Clay and a fresh note of Resene Half Dutch White and then an accent in an earthy green like Resene Kelp or Resene Woodland. Choose warmer or cooler neutrals (with whites like Resene Alabaster or Resene Rice Cake) based on how sunny or shady outdoor area is. Cooler shades are nice in an area of full sun, whereas more yellow-toned creamy or beige shades will help warm up shady or south-facing spots.

Luxury touches to try

Just as in indoor spaces, the other ways to add sumptuous comfort to outdoor spaces is by playing with textures and different finishes.

Try planters or the frame of an outdoor mirror painted in Resene FX Metallic tinted to Resene Copperhead or Resene Gold. Elevate wood surfaces with Resene Woodsman stain in your chosen shade and paint over old tiles with Resene Walk-on. You could even paint in a faux-tile pattern against the wall of a patio or spa pool area using a templated pattern.

Often a simple repaint or stain of furniture or structural pieces in your outdoor area will elevate the space immediately and make it feel more luxurious. Add a cosy throw, some soft light and maybe a fire pit (or other source of heat), and you have the perfect luxury space to relax and entertain all year.

Colours mentioned in this blog...

Swatch
Resene Eighth Friar Greystone

Buy testpot

Swatch
Resene Blondewash

Coming soon

Swatch
Resene Claywash

Coming soon

Swatch
Resene Very Berry

Buy testpot

Products mentioned in this blog...

Products marked as "coming soon" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, they can be purchased in-store at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.

January 27, 2024

Visit your local Resene ColorShop for expert advice and all the products and accessories you need to make the most of your home.

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