Room-by-room paint colour guide

It's all about style and durability

Choosing the right paint colours and finishes can completely transform the look and feel of your home. The right colour can open up a dark hallway, create calm in a bedroom or energise a kitchen. And don’t forget the finish—gloss, flat or something in between—it can make a big difference in both durability and style.
Each space in your home serves a different purpose and has its own lighting, layout and mood, so your paint choices should reflect that. Here’s a room-by-room paint colour guide to help you select colours and finishes that bring out the best in every area of your home.

Living Room: set the tone

Colour: This is usually the most lived-in space, so choose colours that reflect the mood you want to create. Warm neutrals like soft beige, greige and earthy tones create a calm, inviting feel. Rich blues or greens can add drama and sophistication for a more refined look.

Finish: Use a satin or low-sheen finish. It has a soft glow that works beautifully in natural light and is durable enough to handle the occasional scuff.

Kitchen: bright & functional

Colour: Whites, soft greys or sage green are great for creating a clean, fresh look. Or go bold with deep blues or charcoal if you have plenty of natural light and want to contrast with cabinetry or tiles.

Finish: Kitchens need a tough finish. We recommend a semi-gloss or low sheen enamel—it’s easy to wipe down, resists moisture and stands up to everyday splatters.

Bathroom: light & airy

Colour: Bathrooms benefit from light, airy colours to keep them feeling fresh and open. Think soft aqua, seafoam green, pale stone or crisp white. Want a little drama? Try charcoal or deep teal as an accent wall.

Finish: With high humidity levels, bathrooms demand a moisture-resistant semi-gloss or low sheen enamel. These resist mould and are easy to clean, especially in small, steamy spaces.

Main Bedroom: calm & cosy

Colour: Bedrooms are your personal retreat, so lean into restful hues. Dusty blues or pinks, warm greys, earthy greens and muted terracottas all help create a peaceful vibe. Neutrals like taupe or warm whites also work beautifully.

Finish: A low sheen or flat finish gives a soft, serene look—perfect for creating a calming space.

Kids' Rooms: playful & practical

Colour: Here’s your chance to be bold! Colour blocking, feature walls or soft pastels all work well depending on age and personality. Let your kids have a say—you can always repaint in a few years.

Finish: For durability and easy cleaning, go with a washable low sheen or semi-gloss. Crayon marks and sticky fingers are a lot easier to handle when the paint can stand up to a good wipe-down.

Entrance & Hallway: make an impression

Colour: Deep, welcoming tones like forest green, ink blue or even a moody grey can create drama. Lighter neutrals like ivory, beige, or greige let your decor shine and reflect more light in a narrow space.

Finish: Hallways are high-traffic zones, so durability matters. Use a low sheen or satin finish that’s tough enough for bags, hands and muddy paws, but still hides wall imperfections better than gloss.

.

Test before you commit

When choosing colours, always test them in the actual space. Lighting, furniture and time of day can all dramatically affect how a colour looks. And when it comes to finish, think about wear and tear—some rooms just need more protection than others to keep looking great for years to come.

Need help pulling it all together?