The 2025 Colour Trends for NZ Homes — And How to Use Them in Your Wellington Home

A new year is approaching, and with summer arriving, now is the perfect time to refresh your home with the latest colour trends. Whether you’re updating a feature wall, repainting your weatherboards, or giving your interior a modern lift, 2025 brings a clean, calming, nature-inspired palette that suits Wellington perfectly.

Here are the New Zealand colour trends dominating 2025—and exactly how to use them in your Wellington home.

1. Soft Neutrals: The Foundation of 2025 NZ Design

Neutral shades are evolving from cool greys to warmer, softer tones.

Trending NZ Neutrals for 2025:

• warm greige
• oatmeal beige
• soft almond
• clay white
• muted stone

Why Wellington homes love them:

• they brighten south-facing rooms
• they reduce glare in strong sunlight
• they pair well with native timber and classic trims

Use for: living rooms, hallways, bedrooms, exterior weatherboards.

2. Nature Greens: Calm, Fresh & Coastal-Friendly

Inspired by native bush and coastal landscapes, greens are one of the strongest 2025 trends.

Trending Greens:

• soft sage
• eucalyptus
• mist green
• olive wash
• deep forest

Perfect for Wellington suburbs like Karori, Khandallah and Kelburn where homes sit among native vegetation.

Use for: bedrooms, feature walls, kitchen accents, villa trims.

3. Earthy Browns & Warm Clay Tones

These colours bring warmth and grounding energy.

2025 Earth Colours:

• baked clay
• soft brown sugar
• terracotta rose
• muted tan

Why they work in Wellington:

• complement timber floors
• add warmth to cooler homes
• look great in natural sunlight

Use for: living rooms, dining rooms, heritage homes.

4. Coastal Blues: Always on Trend in Wellington

Coastal colours stay timeless in a city surrounded by ocean.

Trending Blues:

• driftwood blue
• misty sky
• ocean slate
• deep navy

Use for:

• front doors
• bathrooms
• beachside homes
• weatherboards in coastal suburbs (Island Bay, Lyall Bay, Seatoun)

5. Charcoal & Black: Modern, Bold & Architectural

Deep tones remain popular—particularly for modern Wellington exteriors.

Best 2025 Dark Tones:

• soft black
• graphite
• ironstone
• night grey

Use sparingly on sun-heavy north-facing walls to prevent heat absorption.

Great for: exterior trims, window frames, feature walls.

6. Pastel Revival: Light, Playful & Perfect for Summer

Soft pastels return in 2025 with a modern, muted twist.

Trending Pastels:

• dusty peach
• muted lavender
• pale mint
• powder blue

Use for: office nooks, kid’s rooms, laundry spaces, creative corners.

7. The 2025 Exterior Palette for NZ Homes

Exterior trends are moving toward natural, sun-friendly, low-maintenance colours.

Top Exterior Colours of 2025:

• fog white
• light pewter grey
• sandy beige
• coastal stone
• warm clay
• eucalypt green

These colours handle Wellington’s strong UV better and reduce fading.

8. How to Choose the Right Trend for Your Wellington Home

When selecting 2025 colours, consider:

• sun direction (north-facing rooms need cooler tones)
• Wellington’s UV levels (lighter colours last longer)
• your home’s architecture (villa vs modern vs bungalow)
• suburb character (coastal vs bush vs city)
• existing flooring & furniture
  

Always test paint in real lighting before committing.

9. Expert Tip: Use Trends Without Overcommitting

Instead of repainting your entire home in trending colours:

• update a feature wall
• repaint trims or doors
• refresh one key room
• modernise your exterior accents

This keeps your home current without locking into short-term trends.