dark and dramatic

From Habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2021

Deep, fully saturated colours have captured the imaginations of courageous colour lovers seeking a refreshingly different look for their homes.

Moody blues, greys and browns in particular, such as Resene Indian Ink, Resene Armadillo and Resene Monkey are making some serious waves – especially when layered with darker and lighter variations in tonal schemes. These hues are ideal for building up a deeply layered cocoon-worthy look in spaces where you want to linger longer, such as a bedroom or lounge.

Top tip: When opting for dark and dramatic colours, keep in mind that you may need to adjust your lighting. Use lamps, accent lighting and dimmer switches to help create the right mood.

Dark swoon-worthy bedroom in chocolate browns and grey

Dark blue room in Resene Licorice with handpainted artwork

Bedroom: This very swoon-worthy bedroom is swimming in tonal chocolate brown and grey tones. Wall in Resene Monkey, floor in Resene Space Shuttle, bedside table and DIY art in Resene Kilamanjaro, lamp base in Resene Americano, books in Resene Kabul and Resene Space Shuttle, plant pot in Resene Felix and vases in Resene Kabul, Resene Monkey and Resene Americano. Bedlinen and rug from Città, round cushion from Country Road, other cushions and throw from H&M Home. Room with art: This wall and floor in moody Resene Licorice make a strong statement with a collection of DIY art in Resene All Black. Table from Domo, chair from Simon James Design.

No space too small

The oft-quoted ‘rule’ that dark colours shouldn’t be used in small spaces unless you want the space to feel claustrophobic simply isn’t true – so feel free to break it. Look for colours with a cool base, which will visually recede, and pay attention to your lighting as it may need to be adjusted to suit your new paint colour.

Note: If you’re going for a dark paint colour, try it in Resene SpaceCote Flat, which dries to a beautiful matte finish to emphasise the depth in your colour.

A nautical inspired bedroom in Resene Tangaroa

Dark grey room in beautiful Resene Armadillo

Blue bedroom: Play up deeper oceanic navy blues with nautical accessories and accents in crisp white with pops of rusty red. Panelled wall in Resene Tangaroa, left wall and coaster in Resene Indian Ink, floor in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, headboard and bedside table in Resene Half Black White, wall accessories and lidded dish in Resene Raging Bull. Lamp from Freedom Furniture, duvet cover from Ezibuy, mirror, cushion and throw from H&M Home, pillowcases from Città.

Grey bedroom: Dark colours and tongue-and-groove panelling combine beautifully. While Resene Armadillo on the wall is a very deep grey, it feels less imposing than other similarly dark colours. Floor in Resene Colorwood Natural timber stain, bedside drawers in Resene Triple Tapa, chair in Resene Zeus, vase in Resene Karaka and plant pot in Resene Go Ben with hand-painted shapes in Resene Cargo and Resene Beachcomber. Bedlinen from Foxtrot Home, cushion and throw from Città, chair from Mocka, lamp from Paper Plane.

Resene Half Black White

Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash

▸ Download a PDF of this article

Habitat plus - decorating and colour trends 2021

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 (Australia) Limited – www.resene.com