A common annoyance for many homeowners is when they’re most of the way there with their decorating but their space still feels like it’s missing something. It can be tricky to figure out just what needs to be done to give it that extra ‘oomph’ and turn it into something you’re proud to show off to visitors.
The good news (for both you and your wallet) is that adding what’s missing doesn’t always involve buying something new. It may simply be a case of reinventing items you already own.
To better demonstrate the impact that even small paint projects and accessory swaps can make, each of these rooms features the same key wall colour: Resene Half Gull Grey. This clean and uncomplicated grey makes a superb backdrop for layering on your own unique style, creativity and favourite Resene accent colours. The timber floorboards have been finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, which gives off a softly weathered look that can either feel casual and beachy or trendy and chic depending on what else you pair it with.
Your lounge is likely the room where you spend the most of your waking time at home. Whether it’s the place where you and your family watch TV together or where you and your friends dish over drinks, comfort is key. No matter what your activity, your seating needs to be something you’ll actually enjoy sitting in – so of all the furniture you purchase for your home, don’t be afraid to splurge on a sofa that both looks and feels the part. It’ll be well worth every dollar for the amount of time you’ll spend enjoying it.
Does your space have enough texture? Remember that texture can be physical, like in the case of layered rugs and tactile creamy cushions. But it can also be visual, like the DIY striped artwork, the striped rug, the two-toned plinth table, the chrome finish of the table lamp and the brushstrokes on the pendant lampshade in Resene Archive Grey.
Does your space have enough contrast? That contrast doesn’t always need to be black and white, although those two colours have been leveraged in this space. Painting the feature wall at the left in Resene Element – which echoes the hue of the couch – provides contrast to the light timber flooring finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash and the mid grey back wall in Resene Half Gull Grey and creates a grounding effect.
Does your space have a clear accent colour? While a showstopping fuchsia like Resene Pompadour or a hot pink like Resene Scrumptious will certainly do the trick, a creamy hue like Resene Spanish White is different enough to do the trick if you want to go for a monochrome look. Be sure that this colour gets repeated in at least three places within the room.
Does your space feel too empty or too full? Even though each of these lounges have pretty much the same number of objects in them, one feels more minimalist because the console table and coffee table take up less visual space. Consider swapping out a piece of your furniture for a large or smaller piece to get the scale right. And remember, that even if a piece of furniture is of a similar physical size, choosing a piece that’s solid over one that’s ‘leggy’ or see-through – such as a glass or clear acrylic table – will feel heavier and larger.
Paint a piece of ‘supporting’ furniture. This could be a coffee table, side table, console, occasional chair. Consider turning it into a statement piece with a single eye-catching accent colour or look for elements like legs or inset panels that can be highlighted with a secondary colour. Use Resene Lustacryl for a durable semi-gloss finish or choose Resene Enamacryl if you want to go for a gloss finish. Or for a matte finish, use Karen Walker Chalk Colour paint from Resene ColorShops.
Paint a statement or feature wall the same colour as your sofa or another key accent colour from your space. Your statement wall doesn’t need to be your largest wall in your space. In fact, it can be very effective to choose your smallest wall instead. If all your walls are of a similar size, don’t overlook your ceiling as the perfect surface to make a statement.
Create a custom piece of DIY artwork. An all-too-common issue among inexperienced decorators is that the artwork they choose is too small for their wall space. Buying large original artwork can be pricey, so by painting a piece yourself using Resene testpots, you’ll be sure to have something that’s not only one-of-a-kind, but it’ll also be the perfect colours to coordinate with the rest of your design.
Give a lampshade a little love. Go for a structured look by masking off stripes or shapes that tie into your design, or opt for a more casual, artistic look with loose, painterly brushstrokes.
Look for unconventional accessories to paint. Picking up a few old books from the op shop and giving them the Resene testpot treatment is a quick and cheap way to add accent colours to bookshelves and tables in a high brow way.
And remember, paint is one of the quickest, easiest and most affordable design tools out there. If you aren’t completely in love with a colour or are just ready for a change, getting a whole new look is only a day away!
Accessories: Sofa from Dawson & Co; Polka dot cushion and Lips cushion from Kip & Co; Diamond beige cushion from Freedom; Circle vase from H&M Home; Ghan rug from The Ivy House; Table from Der Look; Striped rug and black and white cushion are stylist’s own.
Styling by Kate Alexander. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2022
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