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On the left of this elegant living room, RockcoteOtsumigaki painted in Resene Double Rice Cake creates texture and light on the walls and ceiling. The surrounding ceiling is also painted in Resene Double Rice Cake for a harmonious feel. Design by Marylou Sobel Interior Design, image by Anson Smart.
Pops of colour and warmth from art, décor and the wooden flooring give this neutral living room the most charming feel. The walls are painted in Resene Double Merino with ceiling and trims in Resene Quarter Bianca. Design by Stacy Middleton of Studio Reno NZ, image by Helen Bankers.
Resene Albescent White painted on the walls of this living space helps to accentuate the modern design and stunning curves of the home, while Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream on the ceiling and traditional features highlights the heritage elements. Design by Jess Driver and Thomas Ward of I Am Developer, image by Taylor Wilson.
In this cosy living room, the fireplace is painted in Resene Black, echoing the black exposed beams and contrasting against the dreamy walls in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster. Design by Olivia Ellis, image by Someday Photography.
The warm and dusky shade of Resene Double White Pointer coats the walls in this stylish and colourfully accented living space. Pops of colours radiate from the designer rug, pillows and greenery. Resene White Pointer works in well for the ceiling and trims throughout. Design by Abbie Chapman, image by Amber-Jayne Bain.
The art of neutrals: Our top five living room looks you’re sure to love
Neutrals are the ultimate foundation for a beautifully designed living room. Whether you love soft, warm tones or crisp, modern whites, Resene's range of neutrals offers endless possibilities for layering textures, enhancing natural light and creating a timeless space that evolves with your style. Whatever you're drawn to – classic, coastal or contemporary interiors – these top five living rooms designs will inspire you to craft a neutral haven that feels both elegant and inviting.
On the left of this elegant living room, RockcoteOtsumigaki painted in Resene Double Rice Cake creates texture and light on the walls and ceiling. The surrounding ceiling is also painted in Resene Double Rice Cake for a harmonious feel. Design by Marylou Sobel Interior Design, image by Anson Smart.
This living room takes on a unique twist with Rockcote Otsumigaki, painted in Resene Double Rice Cake, adding depth while maintaining the elegant, serene atmosphere. The special finish of Rockcote Otsumigaki plays with light across the walls, offering an intriguing touch to the open-plan space.The use of dark hues on window trims and décor also creates a striking contrast, framing the room beautifully and enhancing the overall sense of balance.
Tip: When working with all neutrals, try using different strengths of the same colour, or adding different textures, this will help to break up the space and add depth all while maintaining a harmonious design.
Pops of colour and warmth from art, décor and the wooden flooring give this neutral living room the most charming feel. The walls are painted in Resene Double Merino with ceiling and trims in Resene Quarter Bianca. Design by Stacy Middleton of Studio Reno NZ, image by Helen Bankers.
Charming neutrals were used throughout this Ōrewa home to create a coastal oasis that seamlessly blends the outside world with the interior. The play of tones and textures was carefully orchestrated with the layered neutrals creating a space that will stand the test of time. Thisbackdrop that will also suit any new décor, art or furniture the homeowners may add in the future. This design won a Resene Total Colour Neutrals Award and it’s clear to see why. See more of this home here.
If you’re thinking about layering neutrals, try choosing shades with similar undertones, or different strengths of one colour. For example, you could use Resene Half Blanc on walls, Resene Eighth Blanc on the ceiling and trims, and Resene Quarter Drought and Resene Drought on furniture and accessories.
Resene Albescent White painted on the walls of this living space helps to accentuate the modern design and stunning curves of the home, while Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream on the ceiling and traditional features highlights the heritage elements. Design by Jess Driver and Thomas Ward of I Am Developer, image by Taylor Wilson.
The colour scheme of this villa was designed to brighten the once-dark space while maintaining its character. Inside, the walls are painted in Resene Albescent White from the Karen Walker Paints collection, creating a neutral backdrop that enhances architectural details and allows the warm richness of the wooden flooring to shine.The dusky pink chairs and earthy cushions pair beautifully with the warm undertones of Resene Albescent White creating an undeniably homely and inviting space.
Tip: When using white in your home, be sure to order Resene testpots or Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches so you can see what each shade looks like in your room throughout the day. Another great tip is when you are comparing your whites and are finding it difficult to see the undertones, place a piece of white printer paper underneath each swatch. This will help your eyes to see the undertone in each Resene paint colour.
In this cosy living room, the fireplace is painted in Resene Black, echoing the black exposed beams and contrasting against the dreamy walls in Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream. The ceiling and trims are painted in Resene Alabaster. Design by Olivia Ellis, image by Someday Photography.
This living room, reminiscent of an old English pub, features an idyllic low ceiling with wooden beams, cosy fireplace and inviting furniture. A gas fire was retrofitted into the old fireplace cavity, and the red brick and ledge were painted in Resene Black to echo the black exposed beams and leadlight window detail. This design proves that you can turn an older, worn-out space into something special. The ceiling beams and fireplace are now a modernised striking feature all while embracing the original character of the home.
If you’re looking for darker shades to highlight and refresh older features like fireplace surrounds, try colours like Resene Holly, Resene Cod Grey, Resene Caffeine and Resene Rustic Red.
The warm and dusky shade of Resene Double White Pointer coats the walls in this stylish and colourfully accented living space. Pops of colours radiate from the designer rug, pillows and greenery. Resene White Pointer works in well for the ceiling and trims throughout. Design by Abbie Chapman, image by Amber-Jayne Bain.
Choosing whites and neutrals for your living space is a great way to allow your personal possessions and pops of vibrant décor to shine – and this living space is a textbook example. It’s also a great choice if your style changes or you want to replace a furniture piece, you know it will always complement the wall colour. If you’re unsure however, take a Resene paint swatch or colour card out with you when choosing furniture, cushions and other items so you can be sure they work well together.
If you’re looking for your perfect shade of white, try some of Resene’s most popular shades like Resene Black White, Resene Alabaster, Resene Sea Fogand Resene Merino.
Tip: Are you thinking white but not sure which finish to use? Your paint finish can impact how well your chosen white works in your room as the level of shine - whether it is gloss, semi-gloss, low sheen or flat - will change how it reflects light. A higher gloss finish, like Resene Enamacryl, will look lighter and brighter. A lower sheen finish, like Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, will make the colour look softer and more diffused. A popular option is to use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen on walls, Resene SpaceCote Flat on ceilings and Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss on trims, with Resene Enamacryl gloss on the front door.
These living room designs showcase the versatility and creativity that Resene whites and neutrals can bring to your home. By selecting the right colour palette and design elements, you can curate a living room that perfectly reflects your unique personality and style, creating a haven of both style and comfort.
Check out Resene’s Lounge decorating inspiration gallery for more ideas.
If you need advice on paints and wallpapers head to your local Resene ColorShop today, and don’t forget to follow us on habitat by Resene on Instagram for fresh inspiration.
Published: 20 Feb 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing editor@habitatbyresene.co.nz.
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Merino
Resene Double Merino
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Bianca
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Quarter Drought
Resene Albescent White
Resene Albescent White
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Eighth Thorndon Cream
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene Double White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
Resene White Pointer
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
