Last updated 13 August 2025

Key information:

• Having the right colour composite decking materials is important to getting the right feel for your home
• Different decking colours suit different environments and design styles
• You can use colour theory, the colour wheel, or take inspiration from domestic or international sources (like Queensland, Bali, the Mediterranean) to inspire your composite decking project.
• NexGEN options include realistic wood grains and tones, which perform better and last longer than traditional timber decks

The colours we use in our homes have a big impact. Not just first-sight impact on guests who may be seeing the space for the first time, but on the people who live there and interact with it every day. Having a home you love the look of will increase your overall contentment with and enjoyment of your abode.

When it comes to a new project, we know getting started can be the hardest part. We’ve created a quick round up of our favourite design inspiration tips, to help homeowners choose their perfect composite decking colour.

Option 1: Borrowing from your home’s environment

Starting with what’s already around you can be the easiest route if you’re stuck on design decisions for your upcoming project. There are several factors to consider with composite decking colours:

Where you live

If you live around dense bushland, you might want warmer browns that blend in with the greenery. Or to make the home stand out from its surrounds, you could choose a cooler colours, or even shades of grey.

Your outdoor lifestyle

Do you need to accommodate a pool, or is the structure a wraparound? Is it just to the front door, or do you have multiple areas you will be using to entertain in the years to come – i.e., how much visual space will this decking take up?

Your home’s design (architectural style)

If you have an older home with a lot of character elements, you might want something different than you would for a crisply designed modern space. Here’s what we would recommend for popular Australian home styles:

Australian House Style	Matching NexGEN Product	Preview
Queenslander	Escapes – White Oak (light, airy, natural)
Traditional Australian	Select – Jarrah (warm, rich, classic timber look)
Hamptons / Coastal	Escapes – White Oak (clean, coastal-friendly)
Contemporary / Modern	Select – Graphite (sleek grey, modern palette)
Tropical	Escapes – Blackbutt (warm, tropical hardwood mimic)

Option 2: Using colour theory to enhance your home’s theme

Using colour theory is a popular, proven way to narrow down your choices when it comes to home design.

This means thinking about how the colours in your existing outdoor areas (your walls, your pavers, any vegetation) behave together, how your composite boards might contrast or mix, and the different ways you can use colour to get the desired effect:

1. Colour harmony (using similar colours)

This is when all the different elements of your home’s design are shades, tints or tones of one or similar colours. This makes for a very harmonious and homogenous look, ideal for those who prefer a subtler design where the decking more or less blends in – rather than making it a stand-out feature.

For example if you had warm-toned natural stone on your exterior, you might choose colour options like NexGEN’s golden-brown spotted gum to subtly enrich this tonal array. For homes with neutral colours, you could go with our white oak or one of our grey shades to continue the low contrast look.

2. Crossing the colour wheel (using complementary colours)

We all know that opposites attract… and they can also make a very attractive outdoor space. 

Complementary colours exist on opposite sides of the colour wheel. Usually one of these will be warm and the other will be cool, just by virtue of where they are on the wheel. For example: red complements green shades, where blue better complements orange.

If you have a lot of greenery around, try going for a reddish tone in your composite decking colour. You might be surprised by how striking the end result is!

3. Mixing it up

Can’t decide on just the one style? You can always use a combination of composite decking board colours. We’ve seen some beautiful homes decked out (pun intended) with stunning side-by-side styles, such as using one colour for the main body of the composite decking, and adding a secondary colour as a contrast trim.

You should first consider the level of change you’re comfortable with. Do you want to keep your home relatively same-but-better? Or are you in the throes of renovations and looking for a whole new look and style with this installation?

Option 3: Taking inspiration from interstate or overseas

Who can resist creating something out of a glossy magazine in your very own backyard?

Whether you’re updating a classic Queenslander, adding some class to a classic Art Deco home, or sprucing up the outdoors on a modern home, there’s plenty of inspiration to be found here in Australia when it comes to decking.

Or, perhaps you want to go further abroad; to replicate the lush green borders and rich wood hues of Bali’s best luxury stays. You can create your own jungle-adjacent oasis to relax in after a long day with the right choice of composite decking options. Try our Jarrah boards from the Select Range for deep, rich tones reminiscent of merbau timber from similar tropics.

The best part is that unlike traditional timber decking, you won’t need to worry about our smooth composite boards rotting in humid conditions, or holding their own against pests (like termites and other borers).

Or perhaps you prefer the cool whites typical of the Mediterranean, offset by the strategic inclusion of warmth through plants, decking and feature walls. Our white oak boards from the Escapes Range could be perfect for you, bringing some of those ashy wood tones to life.

With the right composite decking colour and a bit of canny design, you can transform your outdoor space to bring back memories of dappled sunlight through fragrant orange trees, a playful afternoon breeze washing the day away, and the slight hint of salt on your lips from an earlier swim as you sip a gin & tonic on your new composite deck.

Bonus tip: Matching composite decking colour to timber hues

NexGEN’s extensive Permatech® range offers all the benefits of natural wood decking, minus the costly maintenance. Even better, it’s barely noticeable as being anything other than traditional timber thanks to the realistic shades, patterns and textures of our composite materials.

Our premium composite decking boards come in natural-look colours inspired by Australia’s native species (and a few foreign favourites). There’s a solution to match the beauty of traditional decking, no matter what you’re looking for.

Related: See our full showcase of composite and PVC decking colours.

Colour considerations: Weather and wearing

While traditionally you might have had to avoid certain colours in hard-use situations (such as where pale wood may have become mouldy or scratched, or darker wood may have bled onto the existing structure with unsightly staining), NexGEN’s composite decking doesn’t do either. Your style is your choice.

We also have more sleek, modern options if wood tones aren’t for you – like graphite, a grey composite decking colour that provides a versatile style to any property.

Using premium composite decking boards offers unparalleled durability and longevity. NexGEN’s ultra-low maintenance decking won’t warp, crack, or fade with sun exposure.

Related: Why You Can’t Afford to Buy Cheap Composite Decking

Decking decisions are easier with NexGEN

When it comes to composite decking colours for your home, you want to make sure you’re happy with your choice. 

Mother Nature can throw her worst at our premium quality boards; they’ll look the same as the day they went in, no matter how much snow, rain, or sunlight exposure they have. That’s why we suggest requesting our free sample pack so you can explore the natural timber-inspired colours in your own space, and its various lighting situations, before you make your final selection.

Why not get in touch with our friendly team today? We would be more than happy to help you with your next project, from design choices to installation (and any product support you need along the way).