Lichen: a natural earthy green grey colour

Lichen is a sophisticated green-grey that draws inspiration from the colours and textures found across New Zealand's hillsides, native bush and rocky landscapes. Soft and natural in appearance, it offers a subtle alternative to traditional greys while maintaining a refined and contemporary feel.

What makes Lichen unique is its ability to shift gently throughout the day. Depending on the surrounding environment and changing light conditions, its earthy tones can reveal hints of green, grey and muted taupe. This creates a depth and richness that feels both natural and enduring.

Lichen works particularly well alongside timber, stone and other textured materials, allowing homes to feel grounded within their surroundings. Whether used in a rural setting, on a modern farmhouse or within a contemporary architectural design, Lichen delivers a quiet confidence that never feels overstated.

Explore colours & order free samples

‍

Why choose COLORSTEEL® Lichen?

Lichen is a colour that celebrates connection to place. Inspired by the subtle tones found throughout New Zealand's natural landscapes, it offers homeowners an exterior colour that feels both contemporary and deeply rooted in its environment.

One of the key reasons homeowners choose Lichen is its ability to blend seamlessly with surrounding landscapes. Rather than standing apart from its setting, Lichen helps create a sense of harmony between the home and the environment. This makes it particularly well suited to lifestyle properties,rural homes and sites surrounded by native planting.

Its soft green-grey appearance introduces warmth and character while remaining versatile enough to complement a wide range of architectural styles.Unlike stronger greens or darker greys, Lichen remains understated, allowing the overall design of the home to take centre stage.

Lichen also pairs beautifully with natural materials. Cedar, schist,river stone and weathered timber all enhance its organic qualities, creating homes that feel balanced and connected to their surroundings. The result is an exterior palette that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.

As natural light changes throughout the day, Lichen reveals different aspects of its character. In bright sunlight it can appear lighter and softer,while overcast conditions bring out its deeper earthy undertones. This subtle variation creates visual interest without dramatically altering the overall appearance of the home.

For homeowners seeking a colour that feels calm, sophisticated and inspired by the natural beauty of New Zealand, Lichen offers an enduring choice that sits comfortably within both modern and traditional landscapes. Because screens and lighting vary, view a physical sample outdoors at different times of day before making your final selection.
‍

Available finishes

Lichen is available in three finishes, allowing the same earthy charcoal colour to support different architectural expressions. Finish availability and profile compatibility can vary by rollformer, so check the final specification with your COLORSTEEL® supplier.

Lichen Classic: a balanced, versatile appearance with a more defined surface.

TSR 42% | LRV 28%

TSR means Total Solar Reflectance. LRV means Light Reflectance Value.

‍

Best home styles for Lichen

Rural Homes: Lichen's natural tones help rural homes feel integrated within the surrounding landscape, creating a balanced and timeless appearance.

Lifestyle Properties: Perfect for homes surrounded by open spaces, native planting and natural materials.

Modern Farmhouses: Lichen complements the simple forms and material palettes often found in modern farmhouse design.

Contemporary Architectural Homes: Its subtle complexity works beautifully on contemporary homes that prioritise natural textures and a restrained colour palette.

Try Lichen in the COLORSTEEL® Home Visualiser

‍

Complementary COLORSTEEL® colours

Lichen pairs beautifully with a wide range of exterior palettes, bringing a muted, earthy green that complements natural tones, warm neutrals, timber finishes and deeper contrasting colours. The suggestions below are design directions rather than fixed colour matches. Always view samples together in the project’s natural light.‍

• Sandstone Grey: A natural mid-grey that creates a restrained tonal scheme
• Ironsand: A deeper brown-charcoal for dark on light combinations
• Titania: A warm off-white that creates a clean, softer contrast
• Gull Grey: A softer, understated contrast that keeps the palette contemporary
• Karaka: A deep rainforest green that feels at home in both rural and urban environments.
  ‍

Lichen complementary material palette

Lichen works beautifully alongside:

• Cedar and natural timber
• Schist and river stone
• Weathered timber
• Soft concrete tones
• Native planting
• Warm earth-inspired colours

Designer tip: Pair Lichen with natural materials such as cedar, schist or river stone to enhance its connection to the landscape. Layering textures alongside Lichen creates depth and character while maintaining a calm, cohesive appearance.