Whether your bedroom is a total nightmare or just a bit of a snoozefest, here's how to effortlessly transform it into a dream space that’s an oasis of calm, relaxation, and of course, style.
With most Kiwis spending a lot more time in their homes the last couple of years, our bedrooms have become an even more important spot than ever before.
Whether it's family or flatmates you need a bit of time out from, clever use of colour, a fresh coat of Resene Paint or a carefully chosen Resene Wallpaper can turn a boring bedroom into a sought-after space to escape.
DecoratAR app and chill
During those periods when you're already hanging out more at home, make the most of it by trying out some colours on your wall – virtually – with the Resene DIY DecoratAR app.
Simply hold your phone up, choose your colour and tap your phone to see how that colour will look. You can move your phone around or try another colour - or if you have a favourite cushion or fabric, use the colour match tool in the app to find the closest Resene colour.
Resene DIY DecoratAR app can be downloaded onto iPhone or iPad here. While it’s super simple (and super fun!) to use, have a play with it first, as it does work best with good lighting.
Consider colour
To make your bedroom feel more cocooning, Resene colour expert Rebecca Long recommends choosing a matte Resene SpaceCote Flat finish.
"This will bring out the earthiness of your colour for you to relax into," she explains. "To up the cocooning feel, continue your Resene paint colour from your wall to your ceiling to create a cosy haven of colour."
Note: if you're keen to use a bold Resene colour, it's best to do it on the wall behind the bed so it doesn't keep you awake if you’re having a daytime snooze.
Sweet ensuites
For those lucky enough to have ensuite bathrooms, Rebecca recommends painting both rooms to complement each other.
"This could mean neutrals in the bedroom and dusty blues greys like Resene Duck Egg Blue in the bathroom," she says.
"Also remember when you’re painting a bathroom that it’s a wet area, so be sure to choose a Resene Kitchen & Bathroom product." Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen Kitchen & Bathroom is ideal for walls and Resene SpaceCote Flat Kitchen & Bathroom for interior wet areas and joinery and trim, both inside and out.
Refresh bedroom furniture
If you have bedroom furniture that's looking a little worse for wear, you can bring it into your new colour scheme by refreshing it with paint. For this, Rebecca recommends using Karen Walker Chalk Colour paints and waxes - or having fun getting creative with Resene testpots.
"Karen Walker Chalk Colour paints create a beautiful, velvety matte finish when applied to furniture," she says. "For a French Provincial-inspired look, build texture by sanding the edges and finish with Karen Walker Chalk Vintage Wax, or simply finish with Karen Walker Soft Wax for a soft yet protective finish."
Shop online
Whether you find yourself stuck at home or are simply short on time, you can still get started on your painting – order Resene paints in the online Resene ColorShop and have your dream colours delivered right to your door.
Wallpaper power
For a striking feature, you can't go past Resene's fantastic range of wallpapers. There are literally thousands to choose from, whether you want something quite simple, a striking statement or a mural that will conjure up a vibe or remind you of your favourite travel destination.
"Wallpaper can introduce a world of pattern, texture and dimension to your bedroom," says Rebecca. "Wallpaper technology continues to develop and Paste the Wall Wallpaper is proving to be very popular. You simply paste the wall (one section at a time) and hang the paper – easy! Resene ColorShops have all of the gear you need for wallpaper as well as an extensive range of pattern options."
What's trending in bedroom wallpapers right now? "The Resene Daniel Hechter Wallpaper Collection has a variety of beautiful botanical patterns for your bedroom," says Rebecca. "Wrap your walls in Resene Wallpaper 37520-2 and create a relaxed sanctuary, or for a more classic approach, try the William Morris inspired pattern in Resene Wallpaper MR70502."
Size it up
A final paper pro tip from Rebecca: be sure to use size (a compound of chemicals that acts as a buffer between the wallpaper backing and the plaster surface, preventing the wall from soaking up all the adhesive's moisture and slowing down the adhesion process), which allows you time to easily move your wallpaper perfectly into place.
For more expert tips to help you bring out the best in your home, visit your local Resene ColorShop, ask a Resene Paint Expert, or ask a Resene Colour Expert.
This article was created for Resene.
