Sick of staring at the same old walls after the long weeks of lockdown? Try these easy, affordable ways to refresh your home and make it a place you are happy to hunker down in.
While we may be out of the lockdown woods, the housebound hibernating isn’t over, with winter here, and no tropical holidays in sight. If you’re going a little stir crazy, you’re not alone. One way to help is to give your home a quick makeover.
It may not be the time to take on a big structural renovation. Instead, you can look to quick, affordable ways to refresh your home.
Newshub took some advice from Resene Colour Consultant Brooke Calvert, who works with homeowners and building owners across central and south Auckland.
Lighten up your living space
One way to freshen up your home is to paint a room in a light, bright colour. This will help to increase the feeling of light and space on gloomy winter days. But you don’t have to go all out, says Brooke.
"It’s important to base your colour selection around existing elements in your home. This will narrow down your selection."
You should also consider colours you like, not just those that are popular. "Colour affects people’s moods differently which is why it is best to select colours with your personality in mind."
Brooke recommends keeping it simple by using neutral shades like Resene Quarter Rice Cake and Resene Double Alabaster.
"White is still a very strong contender for a main interior wall colour,” she says. “It keeps things fresh and uplifting even on the dreariest of days."
Other options include grey whites such as Resene Double Sea Fog or Resene Quarter White Pointer.
Colour inside the lines
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you could try a feature wall in an on-trend colour.
Brooke points to current trends such as the earthy green of Resene Rivergum, dark slate blue of Resene Coast, dusky pink of Resene Just Dance and green blue of Resene Duck Egg Blue.
If painting a room or feature wall is too much of a commitment, try updating a piece of furniture, or touching up one of those DIY projects you attempted during lockdown.
Brooke also suggests the following easy ideas:
Quick ways to refresh your home
- Give a plant pot or photo frame a new look using your favourite colour. All you need is a Resene testpot or two.
- Paint a section of a wall in a fun colour rather than committing to painting the whole wall.
- Redecorate a piece of old furniture using the new range of Karen Walker Chalk Colour paints and wax from Resene.
- Paint an interesting shape or pattern on concrete floor.
- Create a ‘headboard’ on your wall by applying paint in a rounded arch or square shape.
- Paint a to do list space on your kitchen or office wall using Resene FX Blackboard Paint.
Sick of your home office?
If you are still working from home and are lucky enough to have a dedicated workspace - even if it’s in a closet or hallway nook - you may be craving a change. It’s here you can be a bit more creative with colour, says Brooke.
"An office is a space where you can unleash your own personal style without it having to completely relate to the rest of the home."
You will want to make sure the colours are conducive to a good working environment though.
"Think about what motivates you and what colours you want to be surrounded in when you are needing to be creative or productive."
She shares some suggestions below:
Spice up your workspace
- To create a feeling of calm, try Resene Peace, a pale green, paired with white, soft timbers. Accent with brass accessories.
- For something a little different, paint a circle on the wall in the terracotta shade of Resene Twizel, offset with a square design behind it in the sandalwood tone of Resene Baroque. Place a timber shelf and desk in front of the feature.
Book a free in store or virtual consultation with a Resene colour specialist to find out what tones would work in your home. You can also book an onsite consultation for a fee.
This article is created for Resene.
