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shape up


From Habitat plus - kids' spaces

Bold geometric shapes are a popular way to add colour without going overboard and can add real flair to a child's room with little effort.

Bold stripes, triangles, chevrons and squares are all easy to create with just a bit of masking tape. It's a look that's simple enough that older children may even want to try creating them.

Bold shapes lend themselves to bold colours and unexpected matching. Double down on a daring palette and try mixing deep blue like Resene Surfs Up with a bright green, such as Resene Neva or Resene Tutti Frutti, or burnt orange like Resene Smoke Tree with vibrant turquoise, such as Resene Seeker or Resene Sea Green. Another great option is graduated stripes in different saturations of one colour, starting with the deepest at the bottom of the wall to the palest where it meets the ceiling.

If stripes aren't your thing, try blocking out shapes in different areas of the room to delineate spaces within it, such as a study zone, vanity or sleeping area.

Colourful kid's room with painted wall hooks

Painted shapes featuring around shelves

Blue, white & grey room: Painted wall hooks are not only an easy way to tie your colour scheme together but are a handy way to keep things tidy and get belongings up off the floor. We've painted our hooks in Resene Fizz, Resene Fountain Blue and Resene Double Cod Grey (try Resene Element). The wall is painted Resene Black White and Resene Surrender, with Resene Surrender also continued onto the floor. › Learn more about this look.

Neutral room:
Create an eyecatching display area by defining shelves with painted shapes in colours taken from elsewhere in your child's room. Wall in Resene Colins Wicket, square and floor in Resene Half Fossil, circle in Resene Twine, semi-circle in Resene Triple Truffle and dresser in Resene Stack, Resene Half Fossil, Resene Twine and Resene Triple Truffle.  Top tip: Take your time to plan your design on paper first, then measure and mask it out.
 

Grid lock

Strong lines do a strong job of communicating the ‘grid' theme in this minimalist ‘Memphisstyle' teen's bedroom. It's an effect that's dependant on the combination of high-contrast colours with careful measuring and masking. Wall in Resene Kandinsky, floor and wall grid effect in Resene Wet N Wild, plant pot and bud vase in Resene Jalapeno, bedside table in Resene Breathless with drawer in Resene Wet N Wild and picture frame and lamp in Resene Alabaster.

Kid's bedroom - painted grid on walls

Monkey around

Kids will love this modern take on a jungle-themed bedroom with its vibrant stripes and splashy palette. The walls are in deep Resene Bunting with Resene Hi Jinx and Resene Keppel stripes and accents. Hints of stained wood, natural textures and plants keep bold palettes fresh and stop them becoming overwhelming.

Rejuvenate timber flooring with Resene Colorwood wood stain and finish with Resene Qristal ClearFloor to enhance the colour while still allowing the grain to show through.

Learn more about this look

Kid's bedroom with a painted grid on walls
Grid lock

A kids room with bold painted shapes
Monkey around

A neutral kids bedroom with a feature colour
Neutral scheme

Monkey around: Carrying the same colours onto the corkboard at playful angles creates a nice visual counterpoint to the orderly stripes on the wall. 

Neutral scheme:
Even in a fairly neutral scheme, a little colour can go a long way in bringing interest and communicating a theme – especially when it's in a fun shape. Resene Middle Earth was used to create a triangle shelf feature on this Resene Black White wall. The floor is painted Resene Yucca and the pencil pot and frame are in Resene Permanent Green.
 

Block out

Try unique combinations like this colour-blocked feature wall to break up a big space and keep things grounded. This room is finished in navy Resene Blue Night, Resene Big Bang and Resene Flower Power against a backdrop of Resene Half White Pointer on the walls and floor. The same colour scheme can be used for fun and easy DIY art projects to decorate the space.

Colour blocking a kid's bedroom

Top tip: Start with a duvet or cushion your child already loves and let them pick out two or three other colours to complement it.

Learn more about this look

All that glitters

Go full glam with these bold gold and white stripes in Resene FX Metallic Gold Dust and Resene Black White, which was also used on the floor. Subtle pink accessories, such as the bedside stool in Resene Pot Pourri and the wooden heart wall hook in Resene Pink Terrace (try Resene Cosmos), add softness to balance out the crisp stripes. As a unique detail, the underbed storage box has been painted Resene Pot Pourri and repeats the pattern of the bedding in Resene FX Metallic Gold Dust.

Other colours to consider that can really make gold sparkle are navy blue or bright magenta, such as Resene Surfs Up and Resene Colour Me Pink.

Learn more about this look

Colour blocking a kid's bedroom
Block out

Gold and white stripes kid's bedroom
All that glitters

Pink and gold kid's bedroom
All that glitters

All that glitters: Paint low profile boxes to match your design and keep them under the bed for storing extra toys, books and blankets.
 

Point the way

A patch of bright chevrons pops in Resene Curious Blue and sends the message that this space is a fun place to be. While blue is a popular choice, whatever colour your child loves best would look just as good over the top of clean and contemporary Resene Triple Concrete walls. Monochromatic accents, such as the wooden box in Resene Half Tuna and the wooden blocks in Resene Picton Blue, in an otherwise neutral room create continuity while keeping things fresh and interesting.

Learn more about this look

Kid's bedroom with bright chevron pops

Born free form

Blurring is a creative alternative to conventional linear shapes. Bleeding colours into each other can really change the perspective of a room and keep it from becoming too boxy. Resene Ruby Tuesday (try Resene Japonica) bleeds into Resene Point Break (try Resene Mariner) on the wall of this vibrant, surprising nursery to spark a lifetime of imagination.

Bleeding colours in kid's bedroom
Born free form

Kid's bedroom with bright chevron pops
Point the way

Bleeding colours in kid's bedroom
Born free form

 
 

Updated July 2021
Habitat plus - kids' spaces


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