When you live in Ireland, you are surrounded by a constantly shifting, endlessly poetic palette of colour. From dramatic coastlines to serene gardens, this island offers a treasure trove of natural inspiration. At Colourtrend, we believe your home’s exterior and garden should be an extension of the landscape that surrounds and inspires you. This season, we’ve drawn from seven iconic Irish locations to create striking and soulful colour schemes for your home’s exterior and garden spaces. If you want to learn more about making sustainable choices when painting to protect our beautiful landscapes, check out our blog post here.
The Golden Glow of Ireland’s Eye at Sundown
Few sights compare to the burnished light that falls over Ireland’s Eye as the sun begins to set. Off the coast of Dublin, this uninhabited island becomes bathed in golden amber tones as the day closes, with glimmers of dusky sea beneath. To capture this magic, we’ve envisioned a home exterior painted in French Mustard, a rich, mellow tone that echoes the warmth of the sunset on the rocks. This hue brings vibrancy and welcoming warmth to a façade, particularly in the softer light of early morning or evening. The chimney breast is treated in Four Arches, a deeper, sophisticated shade reminiscent of the shadowed tones of the Irish Sea as dusk settles in. The contrast between these two colours mirrors the interplay of light and depth that defines a coastal twilight. Together, they create a harmonious but eye-catching scheme that feels both rooted in place and quietly uplifting. Whether your home is coastal or rural, this pairing invites in a sense of heritage while standing confidently in the present. It’s ideal for homeowners who wish to bring some of Ireland’s poetic drama to their walls without losing elegance or subtlety.
Cobh Harbour: A Symphony of Brights
Cobh in County Cork is a kaleidoscope of colour. Its harbourfront terraces form one of the most recognisable vistas in Ireland, a visual celebration of life and maritime legacy. Inspired by this iconic street scene, we’ve developed a joyful exterior colour palette that brings vibrancy, storytelling, and heritage to townhouses and terraces alike. Picture each home painted in one of our standout hues: Breakfast Room, Golden Bay, Baked Alaska, Fox Mount, Fairy Fort, and Source. These colours don’t shout—they sing. When applied thoughtfully across a row of homes or garden feature walls, they create visual rhythm while offering individual character. For homeowners wanting to elevate kerb appeal or embrace a sense of joyful eclecticism, this Cobh-inspired scheme is perfect. It allows personality to shine through while remaining rooted in a shared cultural aesthetic. This palette also works beautifully for summerhouses, outdoor seating areas or statement garden sheds—bringing the spirit of the Cork coast to any part of the island.
The Monastic Calm of Skellig Michael
Skellig Michael, with its white stone beehive huts and vast Atlantic backdrop, offers an otherworldly serenity. The rugged simplicity of this UNESCO World Heritage site inspired a minimalist yet striking scheme for a modern or coastal home. We envision clean white walls painted in Arctic Blonde that reflect the stoicism of the monastic architecture and the crash of waves that lap at the base of the craggy cliffs, contrasted with a deep oceanic blue door, in Inishmore Blue, an homage to the sea that lies deep below. This pairing is timeless, fresh, and deeply calming. The crisp white speaks to purity and light, while the blue grounds the design in the maritime. For homeowners looking to create an exterior that feels peaceful, considered, and distinctly Irish, this is an ideal match. It's particularly well-suited to homes by the coast or those with traditional white-rendered exteriors that need a modern twist. The bold door acts as a focal point, drawing the eye and anchoring the home in its surroundings. Take a look at our Repaint Your Door Kit for a product bundle of everything needed for a front door transformation. Pair with slate or stone pathways and minimal planting for a truly Skellig-inspired setting. Our blog post on painting front doors is located here.
Donegal Cottage Charm: White Walls and Sunshine Yellow Accents
The traditional thatched cottages of Donegal evoke a sense of warmth, community and storybook simplicity. Their hallmark white walls and bright doors are full of character and charm. We took this as inspiration for a garden patio makeover: Roux White-rendered house walls, brightened with a cheerful Furze Lane painted garden wall, echoing the hue of a cottage’s front door. This cheerful yellow injects optimism into the space, offering a sunny focal point even on grey days. The white keeps things fresh, airy and clean. It’s an ideal scheme for homeowners who want to bring a sense of the rural idyll into their gardens, whether that be in a countryside cottage or a suburban backyard. Combine this palette with heritage-style iron furniture, potted herbs, and natural textures like jute or stone to complete the look. This Donegal-inspired colour story celebrates a welcoming spirit and rustic roots with a polished twist, making tradition feel relevant, modern, and full of life.
The Japanese Gardens in Kildare: Sophistication in Contrast
Tucked away in County Kildare are the Japanese Gardens, an oasis of mindfulness and design. Of particular note is the red lacquer bridge, arching elegantly over calm waters. Drawing from this, we’ve designed a colour scheme that blends structure and tranquillity. A garden pergola painted in Baggot Street, rich, warm, and dramatic. This tone brings energy and intention, making the pergola a strong visual anchor. Paired with garden furniture in neutral stone-inspired hues, like Covert Feather, the effect is one of balance and elegance. This scheme is ideal for homeowners seeking a cultivated, serene outdoor space. It invites slow mornings, afternoon tea, or an evening glass of wine beneath a canopy of climbing vines. The palette echoes the juxtaposition found in the gardens themselves: vibrant man-made forms softened by natural surroundings. With this design, you’re not simply creating a space; you’re curating an experience, a garden that soothes, surprises, and inspires.
The Lush Majesty of Kylemore Abbey
Nestled amongst the trees and reflected in a glassy lake, Kylemore Abbey is a vision of Victorian romanticism and natural harmony. The colour scheme inspired by this setting is grounded in rich greens and heritage tones. For a garden patio, imagine the walls painted in Sweet Caper, evoking the dense Connemara foliage. White wooden cladding in Cherished White, along one wall adds crisp architectural detail, brightening the space and enhancing structure. Accent elements, plant pots, benches, and cushions, are painted in Keystone and Foxmount echoing the Abbey’s floral details and stonework. This look is opulent but grounded, ideal for garden lovers who want to create a sense of depth and enclosure without overwhelming their space. It’s especially effective in shaded gardens, where the deep green tones bring definition and drama. Kylemore-inspired colours turn a simple outdoor space into a rich, layered retreat, a place to rest, reflect, and reconnect with the natural world.
Carrick-a-Rede: Coastal Drama Meets Pastel Subtlety
The rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede in Northern Ireland is an iconic site, connecting cliff to island over a rushing, blue-green sea. This wild and wonderful place inspired a modern shed makeover: the main structure painted in Inkwell, grounded and weather-resilient, reflecting the swirling Atlantic below. In contrast, the door and roofline details are finished in soft Dainty Darcy, mirroring the blush tones of sand and sea-polished stone found along the shore. This unexpected combination is perfect for creative homeowners looking to elevate utility spaces like sheds, garden studios or outdoor workspaces. It offers both drama and whimsy, boldness and grace. This scheme works especially well when balanced with coastal planting, grasses, lavender, and succulents, to create a space that feels as rooted in place as it is expressive. Carrick-a-Rede teaches us that even the most rugged environments contain moments of delicacy, and your home and garden can too. Take a look at our Paint Your Shed Kit for a complete set of products needed to transform your shed.
Colour is far more than decoration, it’s emotion, memory, and mood. When you root your home in the colours of the Irish landscape, you anchor it in something timeless and meaningful. Whether you're drawn to coastal tones, wild garden palettes, or urban vibrancy, there's a scheme here to inspire. Let your home’s exterior and garden become a canvas, echoing the beauty of the world just beyond your doorstep. To shop and explore our full collection of sample pots, click here. If you are looking for more exterior colour inspiration, make sure to check out our social pages below, or take a look at our recent blog post of colour schemes created by our colour experts especially for exteriors.