How to Choose the Right Paint Colour for Your Space

Choosing the right paint colour for your home is more than just picking a favourite shade. It’s about creating atmosphere, enhancing space, and selecting finishes that work with your home’s light, architecture, and purpose. With colour trends constantly evolving, and the impact of colour on spatial perception well-documented, it pays to understand how your choices influence the overall feel of your space.

Current Colour Trends in New Zealand

Across Aotearoa, homeowners are increasingly embracing natural, earthy tones. Inspired by the landscape, shades like warm clays, muted olives, gentle sage greens, and dusky neutrals are leading the way—perfect for creating calm, grounded environments.

Interiors are also seeing a shift toward rich, moody colours like charcoal, deep navy, and forest green—used as feature walls or cabinetry accents. These pair beautifully with soft whites, taupes, and warm greys that continue to be popular for walls and ceilings.

For exteriors, greys, off-whites, and dark, natural hues are on trend, offering a modern but timeless appeal that complements both urban homes and rural settings.

Considering Natural Light

Natural light plays a huge role in how paint colours appear throughout the day. It can change the warmth, brightness, and overall tone of a colour depending on the direction your room faces and the time of day.

North-facing rooms in New Zealand tend to receive consistent natural light, making them ideal for experimenting with cooler or darker tones. These rooms can handle deep charcoals, navy blues, and forest greens without feeling too heavy. The abundance of daylight balances out the intensity of the colour and enhances its richness.

In contrast, south-facing rooms receive less direct sunlight and often feel dimmer or cooler. In these spaces, lighter and warmer hues tend to work better, helping to bounce light around the room and create a greater sense of openness and warmth. Using dark colours in low-light areas can make a room feel smaller or more enclosed—especially if the space is already compact or lacking windows.

That said, dark colours can be used effectively in low-light spaces to create a cosy, cocooning effect—but it needs to be a deliberate choice. For example, a moody tone in a small reading nook or bedroom can feel intimate and restful, especially when paired with layered lighting.

Whatever direction your room faces, it’s important to test colours on the wall and observe how they shift in tone at different times of day. What feels warm and creamy in the morning might look cool and grey at night under artificial lighting. Taking the time to consider natural light ensures your chosen colour will feel just right, all day long.

Choosing the Right Sheen for Each Surface

The sheen level of paint doesn’t just affect how it looks—it also influences durability, washability, and how it interacts with light.

• Ceilings: Flat or matt finishes are best, as they reduce glare and help conceal surface imperfections.
  
  

• Walls: Low sheen is a popular choice for living areas and bedrooms due to its soft finish. In higher-use areas, low sheen offers a balance of durability and aesthetics.
  
  

• Kitchens & Bathrooms: These rooms benefit from semi-gloss finishes due to their moisture resistance and easy-clean surface.
  
  

• Skirtings & Doors: Gloss or semi-gloss finishes are durable and easy to wipe down, making them ideal for high-contact surfaces.