When planning a new build, one of the most important decisions is also one of the most underestimated: choosing the right white paint.
For this Westmere build, a carefully chosen Resene palette helped create a timeless foundation.
Resene Double Alabaster was selected for the exterior, while inside, walls were finished in Resene Quarter Rice Cake and paired with Resene Double Alabaster trim.
The result is a subtle layout that feels both contemporary and welcoming.
Selecting the perfect white, however, is rarely as simple as it seems.
“Undertone is really important,” says Amy Watkins, Resene colour consultant. “Rather than treating white as a blank canvas, look for a warm or cool undertone that complements your flooring, cabinetry, benchtops and other fixed finishes.”
It’s a detail many homeowners overlook. A white chosen in isolation can quickly appear too yellow, grey or cool once paired with the materials it sits alongside. That’s why Resene recommends starting with the home’s fixed finishes and building around them.
“Undertones need to work with the fixed elements of the home, particularly flooring, benchtops, cabinetry and joinery,” Amy says.
A light impact
Natural light can have a dramatic effect on how a paint colour appears, making it essential to consider positioning before making a final decision.
“I always recommend looking at the orientation of the room as well as the colours and materials already in the space,” says Amy. “A white that feels fresh and balanced in a bright room can appear cooler or greyer in a space with less natural light.”
North-facing rooms tend to amplify warm undertones throughout the day, while south-facing spaces can bring out cooler, crisper tones.
Understanding this makes a home feel balanced from room to room.
Where to start with white
- Begin with your fixed finishes. Flooring, stone, cabinetry and joinery should guide your white selection, not the other way around. Matching undertones across these elements will help create a more cohesive look.
- Consider room orientation. Natural light changes everything. A white that feels warm and soft in a north-facing room can appear cooler or greyer in a space with less sunlight.
- Don’t choose white in isolation. A white may look perfect on a paint swatch but completely different once it’s surrounded by flooring, benchtops and tiles. Always consider the whole palette.
- Use layered whites for depth. Rather than using a single white throughout, combine complementary whites on walls, trims and ceilings to create contrast and a more considered finish.
- Pay attention to undertones. White is rarely just white. Warm, cool, creamy or grey undertones can significantly influence the overall feel of a room and how colours work together.
- Test before you commit. View your chosen Resene whites in the actual space and check them throughout the day under both natural and artificial light.
The art of layering whites
The most successful interior schemes rarely rely on a single white throughout the entire home. Instead, subtle variations create depth while maintaining a cohesive feel.
As Amy explains, colour palettes are often most successful when they’re built gradually rather than selected all at once. “Rather than looking at hundreds of colours at once, begin with one colour or material that you’re naturally drawn to and let the palette grow from there. You don’t need every room to match, but repeating colours, undertones or materials throughout the home will create a lovely sense of flow.”
For homeowners embarking on a build, white may seem like the simplest colour decision of all.
In reality, it’s often the most important. After all, a thoughtfully chosen paint scheme doesn’t just bring colour to a home, but creates spaces that are perfect to live in, too.
Book a colour consultation at your local Resene ColorShop, resene.co.nz.
*Felix Arc 3-seater sofa from Soren Liv. Alva armchair and Ellison Studios Isola side table from Slow Store. Mitchell rug from Freedom. Roger floor vase; Alberti jar; Creative Homes and Easy Wins books; all from A&C Homestore. Haus floor lamp from Lighting Direct.
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