Wellington’s Most Popular Paint Colours for Coastal Homes (2025 Edition)

Living by the sea in Wellington is unbeatable—but the coastal climate is tough on your paintwork. Salt air, strong winds and intense UV all work together to fade colours faster and wear down exterior finishes.

The good news? Choosing the right exterior paint colours can make your coastal home look amazing and help your paint system last longer.

Here are the most popular paint colours Wellington coastal homeowners are choosing in 2025, plus tips on how to use them for maximum impact and durability.

1. Why Coastal Homes Need the Right Colours

Coastal Wellington suburbs like Lyall Bay, Island Bay, Seatoun, Eastbourne and Miramar face constant exposure to:

• salt-laden winds
• bright, reflective sunlight
• high humidity
• rapid weather changes

Because of this, colour choice isn’t just about style—it affects:

• how quickly your paint fades
• how hot surfaces get
• how often you need to repaint

Lighter, sun-smart colours with quality exterior paint systems perform best.

2. Soft Whites & Foggy Neutrals

Soft whites and foggy neutrals are some of the most popular choices for Wellington coastal homes.

Why they work:

• reflect heat instead of absorbing it
• look clean and fresh against the sea
• help homes stand out without looking harsh

Popular 2025 tones:

• fog white
• sea mist
• drift white
• cloud cream

Use for: main weatherboards or cladding, paired with darker trims and a strong front door colour.

3. Coastal Greys: Modern but Gentle

Greys remain a strong trend, but in coastal areas they’re softer and salt-friendly.

Coastal-friendly greys:

• pale harbour grey
• silver drift
• pebble grey
• seashell grey

These colours hide salt residue better than flat white and pair beautifully with white trims.

Use for: exteriors, garage doors, balustrades, weatherboards.

4. Sandy Beiges & Warm Stone Tones

Inspired by beaches and rocky coastlines, sandy neutrals are a natural fit.

2025 favourites:

• coastal sand
• dune beige
• warm stone
• shell taupe

Why Wellington homeowners love them:

• they’re low-glare on bright days
• they age well in strong UV
• they complement coastal plantings and timber decks

Use for: main exterior colour, fencing, retaining walls.

5. Blue-Green Sea Tones

Blues and blue-greens bring a direct reference to the ocean without looking overly bold.

Popular sea-inspired colours:

• muted aqua
• sea glass
• ocean slate
• soft teal

Use sparingly:

• as accent cladding
• front doors
• shutters or trims

They work particularly well with white or sandy main colours.

6. Dark Accents: Charcoal & Deep Navy

Most Wellington coastal homes avoid all-over dark exteriors due to UV and heat—but deep tones still have a role.

Best uses for dark colours:

• window frames
• fascia boards
• handrails
• doors
• feature panels

Trending deep tones:

• charcoal
• graphite
• deep navy
• ironstone

These add depth and definition without overwhelming the home.

7. Roof Colours for Coastal Homes

Roof colours in coastal zones need to be durable and sun-smart.

Popular coastal roof colours:

• light charcoal
• slate grey
• ironsand-style tones
• gull grey

Lighter and mid-toned colours help reduce heat stress and prolong roof coating life.

8. How to Build a Coastal Colour Scheme (The 60/30/10 Rule)

Use this simple formula for a balanced exterior:

• 60% – Main colour (weatherboards/cladding)
• 30% – Secondary colour (trims, windows, soffits, railings)
• 10% – Accent colour (door, feature gable, shutters)

Example coastal palette:

• Main: fog white
• Secondary: soft harbour grey
• Accent: deep navy front door

9. Practical Tips for Coastal Paint Colours in Wellington

When choosing colours for your coastal home, keep in mind:

• lighter colours fade more gracefully
• avoid very dark colours on sun-exposed walls
• choose low-sheen or matt finishes to hide surface imperfections
• ensure you’re using coastal-rated exterior paint systems
  

Always test colour samples in:

• full sun
• shade
• overcast coastal conditions

Colours can look significantly lighter outdoors than on the chart.