look book
latest
habitat tv
Say goodbye to the morning scramble for keys, coats and sunglasses and hello to this… see this and more videos
blog
Precision and vibrancy with artist Cap Jacobs
Cap Jacobs is a New Zealand-based artist whose work stands out for its precision, vibrant… more
look book 
In this powder room, Resene Vantage Point is painted on the tongue-and-groove panelling, contrasting beautifully with the walls and door in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Design by Olivia Ellis of Ellis Design Studio, image by Someday Photography.
Resene Rouge graces this master ensuite, offering warmth and charm against the organic and raw textures. Design by Rachel Rush, image by Layton Woodcroft.
Inspired by the name, homeowner and artist Catherine Roberts used Resene Escape to turn her bathroom into a tranquil space. The vintage oak dresser hosts a mint green concrete basin, locally made in New Zealand. The trims and door are painted in Resene Black.
In this bathroom, playful shapes painted inResene Just Right and ReseneSurfie Green add to the home’s vibrant palette and make an otherwise plain space, fun! The walls are painted in Resene Half Bianca.
This master ensuite is painted in ReseneCrowdpleaser, a golden cream, mellow and easy on the eye, with speckled tiles for added playfulness. The trims are painted in Resene Black White. Design by Box™ - The Architect Builder, image by Sophie Heyworth.
Our top five bathroom picks that don’t play it safe with white
While white bathrooms have long reigned supreme in the world of interiors, there’s a colourful revolution bubbling away behind closed doors – and we’re here for it. Whether it’s moody greens, fiery pinks or a burst of teal, these vibrant bathrooms show just how much personality paint can bring to the smallest room in your home. A bathroom or powder room is also a great way to explore using bolder colours for the first time!
With a little help from Resene’s bold palette, these five standout spaces prove you don’talways need white to create something clean, calm or utterly chic.
Deep forest drama
In this powder room, Resene Vantage Point is painted on the tongue-and-groove panelling, contrasting beautifully with the walls and door in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. Design by Olivia Ellis of Ellis Design Studio, image by Someday Photography.
Dark green walls bring an instant sense of calm and sophistication to this compact bathroom. Painted in a moody green like Resene Vantage Point (above), Resene Rivergum, Resene Cabbage Pont or Resene Bush, the tongue-and-groove panelling adds both texture and depth, making the room feel cosy rather than cramped. The brass fittings and minimalist styling stop the darkness from overwhelming the space, creating a peaceful nook that feels like a breath of fresh forest air.
Tip: Kitchens, bathrooms and laundries are known as 'wet' areas and need special protection from steam and moisture. In these areas an easily cleaned surface is desirable. Traditionally homeowners and decorators use gloss and semi-gloss paints; however, products such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel allow you to use a low sheen product in these areas without sacrificing durability or cleanability. Your Resene ColorShop staff can also add an extra dose of MoulDefender to your Resene SpaceCote paint to give you extra protection from mould in wet area rooms.
Magenta magic
Resene Rouge graces this master ensuite, offering warmth and charm against the organic and raw textures. Design by Rachel Rush, image by Layton Woodcroft.
This dramatic bathroom dials up the energy with walls painted in bold Resene Rouge. Berry-rich hues and vivid pinks, like Resene Lipstick, Resene Irresistible, Resene Colour Me Pink and Resene Pompadour,also give a similar jewel-toned effect. This unexpected colour choice injects life into a bathroom and elevates simpler fittings to something striking. Paired with moody lighting and clean-lined fixtures, the result is sultry and chic – a bathroom that feels a bit like a boutique hotel.
Ice blue with vintage flair
Inspired by the name, homeowner and artist Catherine Roberts used Resene Escape to turn her bathroom into a tranquil space. The vintage oak dresser hosts a mint green concrete basin, locally made in New Zealand. The trims and door are painted in Resene Black.
This bathroom leans into its eclectic personality with walls in a delicate powder blue, Resene Escape, giving it a nostalgic yet fresh feeling. The vintage vanity adds warmth and authenticity, while brass details and fun accessories keep the whole look playful. It'sa great example of how colour doesn’t have to be loud to be impactful – this soft hue creates a calming backdrop while letting the room’s textures and shapes do the talking. Try other gentle blues that you can’t go wrong with in a bathroom - Resene Frozen, Resene Spindle, Resene Comfort Zone and Resene Oxygen.
Colour blocking – but curve it!
In this bathroom, playful shapes painted in Resene Just Right and Resene Surfie Green add to the home’s vibrant palette and make an otherwise plain space, fun! The walls are painted in Resene Half Bianca.
Who says bathrooms can’t be fun? This clever space uses a curve of teal to energise a neutral room. The painted shape brings personality and interest to an otherwise simple corner, all without needing extra materials or complex construction. Paired with a soft pink and timber flooring, the effect is fresh, graphic and full of joy. It's a reminder that a little paint can go a very long way. Depending on how big your pops of colour are, you may only need some Resene testpots to get your colour pop! Try other vibrant and joyful hues like Resene Riptide, Resene Fountain Blue, Resene New York Pink and Resene Sakura.
Tip:For curved or geometric wall shapes, use painter’s tape to mark your edges cleanly, and go for a high-pigment paint to ensure the colour pops on the first coat.
Warmth meets terrazzo
This master ensuite is painted in Resene Crowdpleaser, a golden cream, mellow and easy on the eye, with speckled tiles for added playfulness. The trims are painted in Resene Black White. Design by Box™ - The Architect Builder, image by Sophie Heyworth.
Beige is having a major moment – but it’s not the flat beige of decades past. This bathroom embraces the new neutral with a warm, biscuit-toned colour that complements the terrazzo flooring and soft peachy wood accents. Shades like Resene Half Popcorn, Resene Dairy Cream, Resene Dutch White and Resene Astra can bring warmth and harmony, while the terrazzo adds texture and subtle movement.It’s soft, sunny and thoroughly modern – a gentle reminder that colour doesn’t have to shout to be heard.
Top tips
Protecting wet areas:Choose the Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range which combines the durability and easy cleanability of a waterborne enamel with added anti-bacterial silver protection and the mould protection of Resene MoulDefender to minimise bacteria and mould growth.
Prepping: Make sure you treat any moss and mould before you repaint, using Resene Moss & Mould Killer. Otherwise, if you just paint over the mould it can grow through your new paint finish. Make sure your bathroom is well-ventilated before you start repainting. A well-ventilated bathroom is best for your health, your paintwork and all the accessories in your bathroom.
Bathrooms and powder rooms may be small, but with the right colour and design, they can have a big design impact. If you need help with your colour choices or the right products to use, head in to your local Resene ColorShop for some friendly advice, or Ask a Resene Paint Expert online for help.
Published: 01 May 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Colour Me Pink
Resene Colour Me Pink
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene New York Pink
Resene New York Pink
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
more inspiration
Where does your mind go when you think of purple?… more
Douglas and Shelley’s neutral haven is filled with creative touches
When Douglas and Shelley moved to Dunedin with their two children, Oscar… more
A pair of heritage bathrooms clean up nicely
Renovating a heritage bathroom is a behemoth of an undertaking.… more
Philip and Jane’s glamorous villa looks pretty in pink
While it may have served previous life as a modest… more
Jo and Mike’s family home is a haven of earthy tones
After 14 years in their family home, Jo and Mike… more
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Vantage Point
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Colour Me Pink
Resene Colour Me Pink
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene Fountain Blue
Resene New York Pink
Resene New York Pink
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
