Tis the season: Three ways to make your home festive this Christmas

Christmas is a time to deck the halls, but why stop there? Transform your entire living space into a festive wonderland with the perfect colour palette and thoughtful decorations. With Resene paints, you can create a holiday ambiance tailored to your style, from a breezy coastal vibe to a cosy, traditional look. Here’s three ways to make your home merry and bright this Christmas. 

A coastal Chrissy 


In this relaxed coastal space, the wall and battens are painted in Resene Duck Egg Blue, floor in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy, coffee table in Resene Half Innocence, side table in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, plant pot in Resene Triple Parchment, shell plate in Resene Double Parchment, DIY Merry Christmas banner in Resene Triple Parchment, present boxes painted in Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, Resene Rice Cake, Resene Emerge, Resene Half Innocence, Resene Parchment, Resene Double Parchment and Resene Triple Parchment, starfish tree decorations in Resene Duck Egg Blue, big shell decorations in Resene Double Parchment, little shell decorations in Resene Half Innocence, baubles in Resene Emerge and Resene Double Parchment.Sofa from Nood, cushion covers from H&M Home and rug from Mocka. 

Bring the seaside to your living room with a light blue and beige palette reminiscent of summer days by the ocean. Start with walls in soft shades like Resene Duck Egg Blue or ReseneBreathless to create a cool, breezy base. Pair it with natural textures like jute rugs and sandy beige furniture to channel the coast. To complete the look, add decorations in coastal tonesthink shell garlands and wooden ornaments painted in ReseneTea, Resene Sisal and Resene Pavlova. This theme is perfect for a relaxed, Kiwi Christmas that embraces our love for the beach. 


Our starfish wreath is painted in Resene Half Innocence with starfish in Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Double Parchment. The door is painted in Resene Double Parchment 

Add to your coastal theme by making your own custom wreath for the front door. Mimic the shade of your walls or decorations with a painted cut-out circle of cardboard or wood, then glue on some beachy themed items like shells, driftwood or sand.

Neutral noel  


In this bright and modern space, the walls are painted in Resene Double Rice Cake, floor in ReseneColorwood Breathe Easy, console table in Resene Half Rice Cake, present boxes in Resene Smashing, Resene Double Rice Cake, Resene Half Rice Cake and Resene Forest Green, vase with pine branches in Resene Smashing and DIY Joy and Noel art in Resene Forest Green, Resene Smashing with Resene Double Rice Cake background. Chair from Danske Møbler, mug, lolly pillow, pudding cushion, felt decorations, wrapping paper, candle, Letters to Santa box and red bow on tree from Kmart. 

For those who love a crisp, clean aesthetic, a neutral holiday scheme offers timeless elegance. Paint your walls in a soft white like Resene Alabaster or ReseneBlack White, and complement them with light-washed wood floors. Add pops of traditional Christmas colours with red and green decorations. Try DIY ornaments or a festive garland using Resene Pohutukawa for rich classic red and Resene Permanent Green or Resene Parsley for vibrant accents. With this versatile palette, your home will exude a classic holiday charm while maintaining a modern edge.

Cosy nook 


This cosy corner is painted wall to floor in Resene Spanish White. The console and side tables are painted in Resene Timber Green, present boxes and wooden trees in Resene Forest Green, Resene Timber Green, Resene Tom Thumb, Resene Gondwana, Resene Xanadu, Resene Spanish Green and Resene Spanish White, DIY Tree Santa sack painted in Resene Forest Green and tree DIY wrapping paper in Resene Forest Green. Teddy armchair from Mocka and cushion from Kmart. 

Create a warm and inviting space for quiet holiday moments with earthy tones and natural materials. Paint your walls in a soft beige like Resene Tea or Resene Quarter Akaroa for a cosy, grounded feel. Pair them with green accents in Resene Green Pea or Resene Goblin for a fresh, festive vibe. Decorate with wooden trees, rustic storage boxes, and handmade ornaments. This snug setup is perfect for curling up with a book or sharing intimate moments with loved ones during the holidays. 

With the right paint colours, the possibilities for holiday decorating are endless. Whether you prefer coastal coolness, neutral sophistication or warm cosiness, there’s a theme to make your home shine this Christmas. 

projects Vanessa Nouwens

images Bryce Carleton

Published: 05 Dec 2024

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Duck Egg Blue

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Resene Half Innocence

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Resene Half Duck Egg Blue

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Resene Triple Parchment

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Resene Double Parchment

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Resene Double Rice Cake

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Resene Half Rice Cake

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Resene Forest Green

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Resene Black White

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Resene Permanent Green

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Resene Spanish White

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Resene Timber Green

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Resene Quarter Akaroa

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