As the sun starts to shine, and the days get longer and lighter, bringing a spring feeling into your home is an appealing prospect. Whether you opt for sunny yellows or calming blue tones is up to you - but Resene has compiled a collection of the latest colour trends to make it easy for you.
This year the emphasis is on helping you to create a peaceful haven - something that is top of mind while we are spending more time than ever at home.
Blue is the colour
Classic blue, 2020’s Pantone Colour of the Year, continues to be influential, but those darker, moody tones are now heading in a lighter and airier direction. This season's blues are calming and fresh, from ocean-inspired palettes, such as Resene Fast Forward, Resene Mystery and Resene Raindance, to pale dusty tones such as Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Inside Back.
"Greyish-blues like Resene Half Dusted Blue and Resene Half Gull Grey are peaceful and gentle,” says designer and stylist Emily Somerville-Ryan. “It is said that blue has the power to reduce stress – and a soothing colour that helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety is just the tonic we need in our lives right now."
The power of pastels
While desaturated shades are in demand across the spectrum, brighter shades are also a fun way to welcome spring in. Resene colour consultant Brenda Ngatai has recently been recommending saturated pastels to clients looking for interior updates. She points to Resene Feijoa, a lime green, the sunflower-tinted Resene Energy Yellow, violet blue of Resene Portage, Resene Anakiwa, a sky blue, and the coral pink of Resene Shilo.
"These colours have a spring energy to them," says Brenda. "They have clarity, are positive and are beautifully refreshing."
You don’t want to overdo it though, she cautions. "As always some careful consideration is required with the placement of the colour and more so with these particular ones as they have strength because of the level of colour."
Brenda says a balanced approach would incorporate one of these colours as a feature wall, offset with a warm white, such as Resene Half Orchid White, on the remaining walls and ceilings (depending on the size of the room).
During a recent virtual colour consultation for a bedroom-turned-home office, Brenda suggested pairing the pale blue of Resene Portage - the perfect colourful Zoom backdrop - with the clean white of Resene Quarter Bianca, which was more suited to a smaller room.
"The client specifically wanted a good backdrop colour that had a positive feel to it. Taking into consideration the size of the room, the timber flooring and the amount of light coming in, Resene Portage was a very good option, with the door frame and all remaining walls, ceilings and window frames in a clean white."
Nature’s best
Spring is a time to look to nature, with woodland tones popular this season. Colours to try include silvery sages such as Resene Bud, muddy stone greys like Resene Nomad, jades like Resene Palm Green and olive greens such as Resene Saratoga.
Interior designer and stylist Annick Larkin says: "I often turn to nature for colour inspiration with moody greens and earthy hues dominating my palette choices this season. I love to use Resene Gecko, Resene Juniper and Resene Balderdash to create spaces that feel natural, organic, and restful."
From forest-friendly browns and greens, to the desert, where sunset tones and terracotta hues continue to inspire. Resene Crail, Resene Sante Fe and Resene Sunbaked will bring a rosy, sunbaked glow to a room.
Dusty peach is also a new trend to watch, with options including Resene Whiskey Sour, Resene Beethoven and Resene Florentine Pink. Start with small touches of these colours, or try lighter apricot tones such as Resene Corvette and Resene Tacao to ease your way into the look.
Warmer ways
Minimalist neutral hues are always in fashion, but this spring the most popular neutral tones are warmer than previous seasons.
"Those looking to bring a truly contemporary look to their homes can look to what we’ve come to call ‘character neutrals’, which are much more intriguing than your typical true neutral and are anything but flat," says Resene marketing manager Karen Warman.
Resene Thorndon Cream is a timeless cream that becomes richer and deeper as the sun sets. It can be paired with beige neutrals like Resene Double Tea, blackened whites like Resene Alabaster or deep dusk greens like Resene Warrior.
Need more colour advice? Try out the free Resene Ask a Colour Expert service here or book a Resene Colour Consultation here.
This article is created for Resene
