There's nothing quite like enjoying a cheese board with a glass of wine, or a morning coffee in a space a step closer to nature.
Outdoor areas, including balconies and courtyards, are certainly places for happiness, fun and laughter. They also provide a perfect way to add extra space to your home.
With spring just around the corner, now is a good time to consider your outdoor colour options.
All four teams on The Block NZ worked hard to bring their visions to life, but Dylan & Keegan stood out by 'creating a beautiful space connecting well with their indoor space' according to the judges.
They were also fortunate to win the Resene exterior painting prize, giving them a good head start. A lot of painting is required for outdoor living areas and it's really important to carefully consider your colour choices.
Newshub spoke to Resene marketing manager Karen Warman to get five tips about the upcoming colour style and trends.
1. Create a space to enjoy all year
Warman says the divide between indoor and outdoor is becoming blurred as homeowners make outdoor rooms to enjoy year round and use inspiration from outdoors for their interiors.
"Colour palettes are increasingly connected between inside and out, with a common thread of Resene colour used for both," she says.
"When the walls of your home are limited, it makes sense to create sheltered spaces outside that you can enjoy year round."
2. Allow for colour contrast
Colours on exteriors look lighter due to the sun, so a popular option is to choose a darker version of your interior colour as the start point for your exterior.
"For example, Resene Sea Fog inside, might become a starting point of Resene Triple Sea Fog outside," Warman suggests. "Always keep in mind that you need to allow for more colour contrast outdoors than you do inside."
So instead of a half and full strength of your chosen Resene colour, you might need to opt for a full strength and a triple strength instead. The Resene Whites & Neutrals palettes are designed with up to six colour strengths of the most popular Resene colours so you can quickly move up and down the colour strength scale to find a colour combination to suit your project.
There is a definite move away from very white surfaces, which can be too glary in the sun and show up everyday wear and tear. Instead, decorators are opting for greyed off whites and mid-range neutrals through to deep dark neutrals. These are easier on the eyes and help to hide leaf debris and slow growing mosses and mould.
3. Dark colours create a modern backdrop
Blacks, charcoals and very deep greys, such as Resene Pitch Black and Resene Element, help fences become a modern backdrop to luscious plantings and pair well with popular roof options.
"Dark hues can become a suntrap, soaking up the sun’s heat. Take a lesson from The Block NZ teams and choose a Resene CoolColour version of your colour. A Resene CoolColour is designed with special pigment technology to reflect more heat than a standard colour to help keep the paint and surface cooler," Warman advises.
4. Touches of colour bring outdoor spaces to life
While a natural look is popular, with paints focused on neutral hues, it is the touches of colour that bring a space alive.
Warman says adding colour to courtyard areas can easily be done through painting planter pots in Resene Terracotta Sealer and favourite Resene testpot colours, planting flowers with bold blooms, adding bold cushions, striking sculptures, colourful table accessories or an outdoor bean bag or two for relaxed lounging.
"When adding an accent remember the rule of three – try to add the new colour in three ways to help it feel like it truly belongs in the space," she says.
5. Consider your groundwork
When it comes to underfoot there are many options to choose from. Concrete pavers can be stained with Resene Concrete Stain to bring them into your colour palette, or rejuvenate old pavers that have lost their colours.
"Timber decks are commonly finished in Resene Woodsman Natural or Resene Iroko for a natural look through to deeper greys such as Resene Tiri for a bolder architectural statement," Warman says. "If there are areas that may get slippery when wet, or stairs, Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path can be quickly applied. Its textured finish will help keep your friends and family safe as they are moving about outside."
This article was created for Resene
