space Headboards can be an expensive addition to a room, particularly if there are multiple beds to accommodate. A cost-effective and clever way to add headboards - and a bit of extra colour - to any room is to paint them in. Plus, it’s quick and easy to repaint a headboard if your child outgrows their bed or you are updating to a new room look. Don’t be afraid to think outside a traditional rectangle - the beauty of painting a headboard is that you can make it any shape or design you want. Geometrics are easy to mask up but you could also stencil, trace or draw your design freehand. For practical, useful storage without taking up floor space, consider adding a shelf painted in the same colour or try painting your headboard with Resene Magnetic Magic paint so your child can decorate it with their favourite magnets. Left: The warm grey Resene Surrender walls and floor in this room are given a dramatic lift with a Resene Blue Night headboard. The soft green of the bedside table painted in Resene Sea Nymph plays off the bedlinen to create a fresh, pulled together look anchored by the strength of the midnight blue. Have fun painting animal figurines to match or contrast your colour palette. These ones are painted Resene Sea Nymph. An angular grey headboard in Resene Jumbo stands out in this soft pastel room with walls and flooring in Resene Cest La Vie. Above: For a low-fuss, off-the-wall headboard, cut a piece of strong plywood into whatever shape suits you and use low-tack masking tape to spell out your child’s name or a fun message. Paint over the masking tape using a Resene testpot and remove the tape once it’s dry for a simple stencilled effect. Finish in Resene Aquaclear to protect the bare plywood. Anchor the headboard to the wall behind the bed with screws. This headboard is finished in Resene Optimist and Resene Aquaclear. Resene Cest La Vie Resene Jumbo Resene Optimist Resene Surrender Resene Blue Night top tip Kids spend a lot of time playing on the floor so opt for plenty of cushions and rugs. Make sure rugs have a non-slip underlay for safety. Resene Sea Nymph head 14 | | 15