Traditional New Zealand Homes Exterior Colour Guide

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Colour guides matching your home's style is a great way to start, but of course it is fine to improvise a bit. 

Below is a guide to what style your home might be and the traditional colours used in New Zealand and Nelson.

Villa (Late 1800s - Early 1900s)

• Features: High ceilings, ornate detailing, bay windows, decorative trims, and verandas.
• Traditional Colours: Neutral tones such as white, cream, and light grey for walls. Trim and detailing often painted in contrasting colours like dark green, burgundy, or black.

Bungalow (1910s - 1930s)

• Features: Single-story, low-pitched roofs, large verandas, and exposed rafters.
• Traditional Colours: Earthy tones like beige, brown, and green for the main body. Trim often in white or cream to highlight architectural features.

Art Deco (1930s - 1940s)

• Features: Geometric shapes, flat roofs, stucco cladding, and decorative mouldings.
• Traditional Colours: Bold and contrasting colours such as pastel pink, mint green, and sunshine yellow for walls. Trim in black, white, or metallic tones.

State House (1940s - 1960s)

• Features: Simple, functional design, gable roofs, and weatherboard or brick exteriors.
• Traditional Colours: Muted tones like grey, light blue, and beige for the main structure. Trim in white or darker shades of the main colour.

Mid-century Modern (1940s - 1970s)

• Features: Open floor plans, large windows, integration with nature, and minimalist aesthetics.
• Traditional Colours: Natural wood finishes, white, and neutral tones for walls. Accent colours in bright or earthy hues.

Contemporary (1980s - Present)

• Features: Open plans, large windows, eco-friendly materials, and innovative designs.
• Traditional Colours: Neutral and earthy tones such as grey, beige, and white for walls. Bold accents in modern shades like navy blue or deep green.

Mediterranean (1980s)

• Features: Stucco walls, red clay tile roofs, arches, and courtyards.
• Traditional Colours: Warm tones like terracotta, cream, and olive green for walls. Trim in contrasting white or dark brown.

Villa

• Walls: Soft whites or light greys.
• Windows and Trims: Contrasting colours like dark green, burgundy, or black.
• Eaves: White or a lighter shade of the wall colour.

Bungalow

• Walls: Earthy tones like beige or brown.
• Windows and Trims: White or cream.
• Eaves: Same as trim colour or lighter shade of the wall colour.

Art Deco

• Walls: Bold pastels like pink, mint green, or yellow.
• Windows and Trims: Black, white, or metallic tones.
• Eaves: Matching trim colour or neutral tone.

State House

• Walls: Muted tones like grey or light blue.
• Windows and Trims: White or darker shades of the main colour.
• Eaves: Same as trim colour.

Mid-century Modern

• Walls: Natural wood, white, or neutral tones.
• Windows and Trims: Bright or earthy accent colours.
• Eaves: Natural wood or neutral tone matching the walls.

Contemporary

• Walls: Neutral or earthy tones like grey or beige.
• Windows and Trims: Bold modern accents like navy blue or deep green.
• Eaves: Neutral tone matching the walls or trim colour.

Mediterranean

• Walls: Warm tones like terracotta or cream.
• Windows and Trims: White or dark brown.
• Eaves: Matching trim colour or lighter shade of the wall colour.

These traditional colours and application methods help preserve the aesthetic integrity of these historic and modern New Zealand homes【​ (ArchiPro NZ)​​ (HOME Magazine)​​ (Wellingtons #1 Team)​​ (Refresh Renovations NZ)