Creating a home that elicits joy doesn’t have to mean a complete renovation or an eye-watering decorating budget. Sometimes the smallest changes can deliver the biggest mood boost.
“Focus on high impact via simple additions – a vibrant mood boosting accent wall can change an atmosphere easily,” says Resene Colour Consultant, Meryl Southey.
A splash of unexpected colour, a playful painted detail or a cheerful wall covering can transform a familiar room into somewhere that feels fresh, personal and full of life.
The easiest place to start is with colour. Rather than repainting an entire room, choose one small area where a brighter shade can make an impact. Paint the inside of a bookshelf in sunny Resene Turbo, add a stripe of vibrant Adrenalin around a doorway or give a tired side table a new lease of life with joyful Scrumptious.
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Walls in Resene Eighth Truffle, trims in Clockwork Orange, door in Ebony Clay, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
These concentrated hits of colour work especially well against softer backgrounds. The warm, off-white tone of Half Spanish White, the gentle pink of Ebb or subtle green of Harp provide restful foundations that allow brighter accents to shine without overwhelming a space.
Look beyond conventional feature walls, too. Paint can be used to create arches, scalloped borders, stripes, oversized circles or simple geometric shapes, says Meryl.
“Resene test pots are perfect for painting playful freehand geometric murals, and thanks to the almost unlimited colours available, you can really let your imagination soar.”
Additionally, try painting a headboard directly on to a bedroom wall, using a soothing shade such as Half Baked before adding a contrasting border in a colour like Party Zone. In a child’s bedroom or play space, colourful blocks can turn a plain wall into an inexpensive artwork.
Wall in Resene Rice Cake, Casper and Double Sea Fog, floor in Bleached Riverstone. Project by Annick Larkin, mural by Hannah Tapner, image by Bryce Carleton.
Meryl adds: “For an unexpected twist of fun look to the Resene FX special effects range – a pop of neon paint on a picture frame or a hidden splash of glow-in-the-dark with Resene FX nightlight to instantly lift a room’s spirit.”
While you’re at it, don’t forget to look up. A ceiling painted in a contrasting colour can completely change the personality of a room. For a gentle introduction, team walls of Quarter Tea with the pale blue of Breathless.
Wall in Resene Black White, Indian Ink, Rulebreaker and Wonderland, floor in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy. Chair from Freedom. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, a small powder room, hallway or study is the perfect place to experiment with something bolder, such as one of the quirky designs from Resene’s vast collection of wallpapers.
Most importantly, choose colours and ideas that make you happy rather than worrying too much about decorating rules. Whether that means a sunshine-yellow shelf, a candy-pink table or a blue ceiling, a little playful experimentation can go a long way.
When it comes to designing for delight, sometimes all your home needs is one small moment of unexpected joy.
