Colours of New Zealand
Whites & Neutrals paint colour droplet
Whites & Neutrals
Most Loved Whites & Neutrals
Find the right white
Greys paint colour droplet
Greys
Most Loved Greys
Browns paint colour droplet
Browns
Most Loved Browns
Blues paint colour droplet
Blues
Most Loved Blues
Yellows paint colour droplet
Yellows
Most Loved Yellows
Greens paint colour droplet
Greens
Most Loved Greens
Colours of New Zealand
Oranges paint colour droplet
Oranges
Most Loved Oranges
Reds paint colour droplet
Reds
Most Loved Reds
Purples & Pinks paint colour droplet
Purples & Pinks
Most Loved Purples & Pinks
Colorsteel® Colours paint colour droplet
Colorsteel® Colours
Heritage Collection paint colour droplet
Heritage Collection
Order Colour Samples
Interior Colours Schemes & Styles
Popular interior styles
Popular interior colour schemes
Interior styling gallery
Exterior Colour Schemes & Styles
Popular exterior styles
Popular exterior colour schemes
Exterior styling gallery
Colour Trends
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025
Emerge
Recollect
Still
Seasonal Trends
Design Partners
Evie Kemp
Alex & Corban
Michelle Halford
Bree Leech
Colour Inspiration
Inspiration style gallery
Dulux Colour Designers
Order Colour Samples
Explore Paint by Use
Interior Paint
Exterior Paint
Doors, Windows, Trims Paint
Ceiling Paint
Preparation Products
Specialty Effects Paint
Spray Paint
Accessories
View all Paint Products
Dulux Wash&Wear 4L Tin Low SheenWash&Wear®
Product - Dulux Weathershield Semi Gloss 4LWeathershield®
Product - Dulux Aquanamel Semigloss 4LAquanamel®
1step Prep can render menu size1Step Prep®
Ceiling white can renderCeiling White
Product - Renovation Range Final Touch Satin Clear CoatRenovation Range
Dulux Ultra Air Interior PrimerUltraAir®
Product - Dulux Super Enamel Gloss 10LSuper Enamel™
Product - Duramax Chalky FinishDuramax®
Product - Concrete & Paving Stage 2 Bare Concrete Primer 4LConcrete & Paving
Product - Design Effects GoldDesign Effects
Metalshield Rust Defence GlossMetalshield®
Roof & Trim™
Timbacryl Product CanTimbacryl®
Professional® Wall BrushTools & Accessories
Home Interior Projects
Transform your bedroom
Transform your living room
Create a bathroom oasis
Doors, windows and trims
Update your hallway
Refresh a ceiling
Create a feature wall
Kitchen / Dining Projects
Refresh your kitchen
Update your dining room
Renovate your splashbacks
Renovate your benchtops
Revamp your cabinet doors
Bedroom Projects
Take on a bedroom project
Transform your bedroom
Kids Room Projects
Painting a nursery
Painting a kid's bedroom
Turn a nursery into a kids room
Kids room mini project
Bathroom Projects
Change your bathroom
Transform your floor tiles
Update your bathroom tiles
Create a bathroom oasis
Home Exterior Projects
How to choose paint colours for the outside of your home
Refresh your outdoor entertaining area
Revive your verandah
Refresh your garden shed
Add colour to your pool house
Get outdoor party ready
Front Entrance Projects
Revive your verandah
How to paint a front door
Pick the perfect front door colour
Welcoming front entrance
Small Projects
Upcycle your vintage pieces
Revamp furniture with Dulux Design Chalk Effect
Create a play house
Update your backyard
Design Partners
Evie Kemp
Alex & Corban
Michelle Halford
Bree Leech
Choose & Use Colour
How to use the Dulux Colour Visualisation Tool
How to use colour in your home
How to use a colour wheel
Using and testing colour with samples
How to create a colour scheme
How to choose exterior colour schemes
Tips to create a monochromatic space
Colour blocking in your home
How to create a feeling of fun in your home
How to create a feeling of happiness in your home
Using colour to elevate small spaces
How to make your workspace more productive
Choose Paint
How to choose a sheen level
Calculate how much paint you will need
Painting and product advice
Prepare Your Surface
Prepare interior surfaces
Prepare exterior surfaces
Treat and prevent mould
Taping and wall preparation
How to paint over interior effects paint
Painting & Application Techniques
How to paint brick
How to paint walls
How to paint ceilings
How to paint stripes
How to paint doors and trims
How to paint your front door
How to repaint a picket fence
How to paint your house following flood damage
How to use spray paint
How to apply Duramax® spray paints
Painting Tools & Tips
How to use a paint brush
How to use a paint roller
How to use spray paint
Paint safety
Clean Up & Disposal
Paint clean up and disposal
Paint Problem Solver
When droplets appear on acrylic paint
Yellowing
Wrinkling
Sagging
Roller spattering
Poor stain resistance
Poor sheen uniformity
Poor scrub resistance
Poor hiding power
Poor flow and levelling
Roller marks / stipple
Picture framing
Mud cracking
Foaming or cratering
Cracking, flaking or peeling
Interior burnishing
Interior blocking
Tannin staining
Surfactant leaching
Poor gloss retention
Using Specialty Finish Paints
How to paint using Dulux Design Rust Effect
How to paint using Dulux Design Glitter Effect
Paint using Dulux Design Copper & Copper Patina Effect
Paint using Dulux Design Metallic & Design Pearl Effect
Paint with Dulux Design Concrete Effect
How to paint using Dulux Design Chalk Effect
Dulux Services
Dulux Colour Designers
Find a Painter
Dulux Tools
Paint calculator
Customer Service
Live Chat with Dulux Consultant
Contact Customer Service
Email us
Customer Service
Live Chat with Dulux Consultant
Contact Customer Service
Email us
Paint donations
Find a Store
My home
How to
Choose colour
The right white
View Dulux Online Colour Atlas
How to order A4 colour samples
Multi A4 colour sample order form
Dulux Colours of New Zealand
Heritage Collection
Shop Colour Collateral
Dulux Colour Forecast 2025
Emerge
Recollect
Still
Dulux Wash&Wear 4L Tin Low SheenWash&Wear®
Product - Dulux Weathershield Low Sheen 4LWeathershield®
Product - Dulux Aquanamel Semigloss 4LAquanamel®
Product - Dulux Super Enamel Gloss 10LSuper Enamel™
Product - Metalshield Epoxy Enamel Gloss 4LMetalshield®
Product - Dulux Professional Enamel Semi Gloss 10LProfessional®
56G 56N Dulux Professional FAST FINISH GlossProfessional® FASTFINISH™
Professional® SteriGuard®
PRECISION®
Product - Duramax Chalky FinishDuramax®
Roof & Trim™
Timbacryl Product CanTimbacryl®
Dulux Ultra Air Interior PrimerUltraAir®
Product - Enviro2 Water Based Enamel Semi Gloss 10LenvirO₂™
n5600009-unit ENVIORSOLUTIONS Envirowash Treatment Starter Finisher-(1)ENVIROSOLUTIONS®
Dulux Protective CoatingsDulux Protective Coatings
Dulux Powder Coatings imageDulux Powder Coatings
Dulux Colours of New Zealand FandeckDulux Colours of New Zealand fandecks
world-of-colour-atlas-and-fandeckDulux World of Colour
Dulux AcratexAcratex®
Product-Acratex-pail-15L-render-AcraShield-Advance-low-GlossAcratex® Membrane and Elastomeric Topcoat
Acratex AcraPatch High BuildAcratex® Preparation
Product - Acratex Exsulite Texture 15LAcratex® Texture
View All Products
DCA24 Hero artwork no words or logo
Dulux Colour Awards
services-programs-sustainability
Sustainability
specifier-menu-continuing-professional-development-image
Continuing Professional Development
Construction Solutions
IntergainIntergrain
DrydenDryden
SpecializedSpecialized
Porters PaintsPorters Paints
Dulux AcratexDulux Acratex
Dulux Powder Coatings imageDulux Powder Coatings
Dulux Protective CoatingsDulux Protective Coatings
Dulux AvistaDulux Avista
BIM-menu-image
BIM
specifier-menu-duspec-image
DuSpec+
specifier-menu-continuing-professional-development-image
Continuing Professional Development
Send us an enquiry
My home
How to
Choose colour
The right white
My home
How to
Choose colour
The right white
Bree Leech

The right white

White is a classic for interiors in traditional and modern homes alike, but if you've experienced selecting a white for your walls, you'll know it can be overwhelming. Dulux colour forecaster and stylist Bree Leech shares some tips for choosing a white that works for you and your interior. Colours featured: Dulux Mt Aspiring Half, Manorburn Double.

Creating a mood

Various whites may seem to only have subtle differences, but once you have painted your interior with your selected white, it can help set the mood you want to create in your home. Selecting a warmer white may help convey a classic style or provide a cosy mood. Cooler whites create a very fresh feel and are often used in modern homes alongside cooler colours.

White and neutral paint sample chips on herringbone timber floor
Close
Colours Featured: Dulux Vivid White and Dulux White Polar Quarter
Download

Getting warmer

So what styles work with warmer whites? Warmer whites with creamy yellow undertones such as Epsom are often selected for classic or traditional spaces. They work well with darker and more traditional timber finishes and earthy colour palettes. 

White living room with glass double doors with pink armchair and side table with vase of roses.

Trim

Southern Alps

The popular soft ultra-pure white of Southern Alps is the ultimate choice for interiors and exteriors. It is ideal for walls, ceilings, trims and features such as fretwork and window frames. The freshness of Southern Alps will brighten any space and give it a luxe modern vibe.

Dulux Aquanamel®

Dulux Aquanamel® is a low odour, non-yellowing, water-based interior and exterior acrylic enamel that dries to a glossy, tough and chip-resistant finish.

Explore colour-->
Trim
Southern Alps
Wall
Epsom
Close
The popular soft ultra-pure white of Southern Alps is the ultimate choice for interiors and exteriors. It is ideal for walls, ceilings, trims and features such as fretwork and window frames. The freshness of Southern Alps will brighten any space and give it a luxe modern vibe.
Colours Featured: Dulux Vivid White and Antique White U.S.A.®
Download

Playing it cool

Cooler whites such as Ōkārito may be suited to modern architectural styles, but are also often used to modernise more traditional spaces. With a crisp, all-white approach, more traditional or classic interior can appear to have a more contemporary mood. Modern interiors lend themselves to a crisp colour palette of cool white and St Clair Quarter or Hakataramea are often go-to hues, paired with neutral, grey, natural stone, light timber and black accents the combination creates a no-fail modern palette.

White living room with modern fireplace and tub-style brown leather armchair

Wall

Ōkārito

Ōkārito is a crisp, fresh white that goes with almost anything. It is perfect as a main wall colour for exteriors as well as windows and trims. Ōkārito is a versatile white that suits almost any style of home. It is also the most popular white in the Dulux Colours of New Zealand range.

Explore colour-->
Wall
Ōkārito
Close
Ōkārito is a crisp, fresh white that goes with almost anything. It is perfect as a main wall colour for exteriors as well as windows and trims. Ōkārito is a versatile white that suits almost any style of home. It is also the most popular white in the Dulux Colours of New Zealand range.
Colours Featured: Dulux Lexicon® Quarter
Download

When you want more from your white

Whites can also be complex and have a little more to offer than just cool or warm. Undertones are what is at play here and you'll want to check them with A4 samples initially to make sure those undertones work with your interior finishes and decor. My picks for a more complex white choice are Mt Aspiring Half - on the warm side but with a little less than Cardrona and Haast Half giving you a white with some depth, but not too much yellow or red to allow greater versatility. 

White hallway with deep red chandelier and multicoloured painting.

Trim

St Clair Quarter

St Clair Quarter is a crisp, clean, cool white suitable for trims or main walls both inside and out. It works well with a wide range of colours including neutrals, cool greys and charcoals such as Mt Hikurangi, Grey Lynn and Manorburn.

Explore colour-->
Trim
St Clair Quarter
Wall
Haast Half
Close
St Clair Quarter is a crisp, clean, cool white suitable for trims or main walls both inside and out. It works well with a wide range of colours including neutrals, cool greys and charcoals such as Mt Hikurangi, Grey Lynn and Manorburn.
Colours Featured: Dulux Lexicon® Half and Dulux White Exchange Half
Download

Playing favourites

When it comes to white, I definitely play favourites. Cardrona is a colour I use frequently for its soft warmth and flexibility to work across so many design styles and, of course, it's one of Dulux’s Most Loved hues for a reason. Choose Cardrona when you have a light-filled space but would like a little softness rather than being too crisp. Pair it with anything, but it works so well to create a relaxed mood and a layered contemporary interior.

White living room with timber ceiling, blue couch and bright green door.
Interior

Wall

Cardrona

Cardrona is a soft and natural looking warm white that is loved by home renovators and interior designers alike. This versatile white will brighten any space and is perfect for exterior features.

Explore colour-->
Wall
Cardrona
Door
Garnish
Close
Cardrona is a soft and natural looking warm white that is loved by home renovators and interior designers alike. This versatile white will brighten any space and is perfect for exterior features.
Colours Featured: Dulux Natural White® and Dulux Garnish
Download
Need a hand?

Get in touch with our local Customer Service team by calling 0800 800 424 or via LiveChat on our website. The Dulux Customer Service team are experts available to assist with colour, product and service questions.

Be inspired with white

Discover more home interior styles to find the right white for your home. Colour featured: Dulux Remuera.

Discover our whites
logo
  • My Home
  • Colour
  • Paint & Accessories
  • Projects & DIY Ideas
  • How To Guides
  • Tools & Services
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • Find A Store
  • Specifier
  • Colour
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Construction Solutions
  • Tools & Resources
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • Specifier Login
  • Trade
  • Trade products
  • Technical advice
  • About Dulux
  • Contact Us
  • Sustainability
  • Media
  • DuluxGroup Corporate
  • Partnerships and Community
  • Paint donations
  • Department of Conservation
  • New Zealand Cricket
  • Surf Life Saving New Zealand
  • Antarctic Heritage Trust
  • Architecture + Women NZ
  • Pet Refuge
  • Colour
  • Paint & Accessories
  • Projects & DIY Ideas
  • How To Guides
  • Tools & Services
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • Find A Store
  • Colour
  • Products
  • Programs
  • Construction Solutions
  • Tools & Resources
  • Sustainability
  • Contact Us
  • Specifier Login
  • Trade products
  • Technical advice
  • Contact Us
  • Sustainability
  • Media
  • DuluxGroup Corporate
  • Paint donations
  • Department of Conservation
  • New Zealand Cricket
  • Surf Life Saving New Zealand
  • Antarctic Heritage Trust
  • Architecture + Women NZ
  • Pet Refuge

© 2025 Dulux

  • Careers
  • Recommended Sites
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Policies and Documents
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy