Dream-room do-over: How to transform your bedroom into an oasis of relaxation and style

  • 11/03/2022
  • Sponsored by - Resene
Left: Up the luxe with rich greens teamed with tactile materials. This wall painted in Resene Stone Age and ledge in Resene Wilderness combine with the floor in Resene Green White and side tables in Resene Alabaster given a marble treatment with Resene FX Paint Effects medium coloured with Resene Rolling Stone. Other colours in this palette feature in the vase in Resene Toffee, lidded dish in Resene Hampton, small plant pot in Resene Teak and large plant pot in Resene Celeste. Bedding and cushions from Città. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Wendy Fenwick. Right: Coastal blues and greys are a natural match for creating a restful and relaxing space, such as in a bedroom or living room. Wall in Resene Grey Seal with painted swirls in Resene Mystery and Resene Remember Me, floor in Resene Quarter Surrender, bench in Resene Bewitched, chest of drawers in Resene Remember Me, slim vase in Resene Slipstream, jug in Resene Grey Area and gridded vase in Resene Unwind. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Left: Up the luxe with rich greens teamed with tactile materials. This wall painted in Resene Stone Age and ledge in Resene Wilderness combine with the floor in Resene Green White and side tables in Resene Alabaster given a marble treatment with Resene FX Paint Effects medium coloured with Resene Rolling Stone. Other colours in this palette feature in the vase in Resene Toffee, lidded dish in Resene Hampton, small plant pot in Resene Teak and large plant pot in Resene Celeste. Bedding and cushions from Città. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Wendy Fenwick. Right: Coastal blues and greys are a natural match for creating a restful and relaxing space, such as in a bedroom or living room. Wall in Resene Grey Seal with painted swirls in Resene Mystery and Resene Remember Me, floor in Resene Quarter Surrender, bench in Resene Bewitched, chest of drawers in Resene Remember Me, slim vase in Resene Slipstream, jug in Resene Grey Area and gridded vase in Resene Unwind. Project by Gem Adams, image by Wendy Fenwick.

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.

Left: Channel golden sunsets and the warm sand of the beach with soulful neutrals and warming apricots that leave us feeling good. Wall in Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay. Flooring in Resene Eighth Joss, large pot in Resene Quarter Bison Hide, bedhead in Resene Eighth Joss, window trim in Resene Quarter Villa White and tall vase in Resene Beethoven. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton. Right: This gorgeous beige room has a feminine vibe, but it could easily be given a more masculine spin with some easy switch-outs, while keeping the main wall, floor and headboard colour the same. Rather than Resene Half Gin Fizz, the accent wall on the right could be painted in a brandy ochre like Resene Stinger. The main wall is in Resene Eighth Stonehenge; the shelf and skirting board are in Resene Ebony Clay; the pendant light, mirror and tote bag are in Resene Corvette; the headboard is in Resene Double Stonehenge; and the floor is in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash. Ink Moon artwork by George Sand Studio is from Endemic World, mirror (painted), duvet cover, pillowcases, quilted bedspread, rug and tote bag (painted) from H&M, cushions, throw and slippers from Collect Living. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.
Left: Channel golden sunsets and the warm sand of the beach with soulful neutrals and warming apricots that leave us feeling good. Wall in Resene Eighth Canterbury Clay. Flooring in Resene Eighth Joss, large pot in Resene Quarter Bison Hide, bedhead in Resene Eighth Joss, window trim in Resene Quarter Villa White and tall vase in Resene Beethoven. Project by Melle Van Sambeek, image by Bryce Carleton. Right: This gorgeous beige room has a feminine vibe, but it could easily be given a more masculine spin with some easy switch-outs, while keeping the main wall, floor and headboard colour the same. Rather than Resene Half Gin Fizz, the accent wall on the right could be painted in a brandy ochre like Resene Stinger. The main wall is in Resene Eighth Stonehenge; the shelf and skirting board are in Resene Ebony Clay; the pendant light, mirror and tote bag are in Resene Corvette; the headboard is in Resene Double Stonehenge; and the floor is in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash. Ink Moon artwork by George Sand Studio is from Endemic World, mirror (painted), duvet cover, pillowcases, quilted bedspread, rug and tote bag (painted) from H&M, cushions, throw and slippers from Collect Living. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

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.

Left: The right white for your serene bedroom might be a white-based wallpaper, such as this sweet, woodsy Resene Wallpaper Collection EAR102. The warm trims and window shutters in Resene Half Spanish White also set a restful tone. Other warm whites to try include Resene Half Biscotti, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta and Resene Orchid White. Right: A dark grey-black such as the Resene Nocturnal used on this wall (as well as the shelf and skirting board) brings a real intimacy to a petite room. The side table is in Resene Organic, the pots, vases and tealight holder are in Resene Paddock, Resene Seaweed, Resene Passport and Resene Ciderhouse and the floor is in Resene Viktor. Chair and mirror from Kmart, duvet set from Wallace Cotton, cushions and throw from Cotton On Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.
Left: The right white for your serene bedroom might be a white-based wallpaper, such as this sweet, woodsy Resene Wallpaper Collection EAR102. The warm trims and window shutters in Resene Half Spanish White also set a restful tone. Other warm whites to try include Resene Half Biscotti, Resene Quarter Pearl Lusta and Resene Orchid White. Right: A dark grey-black such as the Resene Nocturnal used on this wall (as well as the shelf and skirting board) brings a real intimacy to a petite room. The side table is in Resene Organic, the pots, vases and tealight holder are in Resene Paddock, Resene Seaweed, Resene Passport and Resene Ciderhouse and the floor is in Resene Viktor. Chair and mirror from Kmart, duvet set from Wallace Cotton, cushions and throw from Cotton On Home. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick.

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.