The magic of multi-use

The magic of colour in this space lies in its ability to create visual separation.

Dusky pink Resene Contented on the back wall is soft and neutral against the warm off-white Resene Kinship on the front. Dynamic spaces are easy to create with playful use of contrasting colours and work to give both sides of the room a different feel. Against a backdrop of the pandemic, many of us converted spaces in our homes to offices. We are continuing to spend more time at home, meaning multifunctional living spaces have become increasingly important. Gone are the days of having a designated living space, bedroom and office. Embrace the ‘fluid home’ trend and let functionality be at the forefront of your design scheme.

Using pink and grey hues to divide a bedroom and living area

A moodboard with pink, white, grey, and black paint swatches

Using pink and grey hues to divide a bedroom and living area

Mood board: Background painted in Resene Contented, Resene A4 drawdown paint swatches in Resene Bokara Grey, Resene Four Winds, Resene Kinship and Resene Contented and clock in Resene Kinship painted over Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection RD5671. Accessories: Console and chair from Soren Liv, fluffy throw from Baya, rug from Yuva Rugs, pillows, check pillowcases, cushions and foliage from Adairs, Resene Living bedlinen from Briscoes, artwork in bedroom by Brenda Clews.

Spaces that can easily be transformed from one function to another are on trend for a number of reasons. Their multi-purpose use benefits are obvious – for example, a guest bedroom may double as a home gym or a home office might also serve as a crafting space. In this luxurious living space, a relaxed hallway, powder room and bedroom have been melded into one.

Fluid design allows you to make the most of the space you have, particularly if it’s a smaller home or apartment. A fluid design scheme will save you money by eliminating the need to purchase additional furniture or home decor to fill empty spaces. Instead, items can be easily moved around to accommodate different activities. In this space, for example, a laptop, books or sewing machine could sit on the make-up desk, just as the day bed could be used for guests or as a kid’s bed.

When designing multi-purpose spaces, it’s important to consider the colour scheme of the room. While an open floor plan can create a cohesive look, it can also be difficult to create visual separation between different areas. This is where paint colours come into play. Resene Contented and Resene Kinship are two tones that complement each other and divide a room up in a subtle way that isn’t overpowering. Two-tone rooms keep spaces from looking flat. Resene Contented is a dusky pink that creates a calming atmosphere. It pairs well with Resene Kinship, a warm, earthy neutral that adds depth and dimension to a space. The colours create a feeling of safety, cosiness and tranquillity. A day bed in the room offers the perfect zone to relax, while a mirror and floating desk offer a separate getting-ready area.

A multi-functional interior divided with colour

An interior with relaxing pink and grey hues

Paint: Walls, floor, deck legs, shelving and large scallop vase in Resene Contented, desk, little bud vase and wooden magazine holder in Resene Four Winds, return wall, makeup brush holder, basket, file and pencil holder in Resene Kinship, chair and vase in Resene Bokara Grey, in Resene Kinship, lamp in Resene Black White, book in Resene Eighth Black White and clock in Resene Kinship painted over Resene Anaglypta Wallpaper Collection RD5671.

You could think too about using Resene Contented to create a focal point by painting an archway on the back wall with Resene Kinship as the base colour. This creates visual separation between different areas of the room if you are after a bolder, geometric design feature. Another option is to use Resene Contented to paint built-in shelves or a bookcase, which can help to delineate a space without adding physical barriers. This is particularly effective in a home office or study area.

It’s also key to consider furniture placement. Modular furniture, like a sofa with a chaise lounge or an ottoman that doubles as storage, can be easily rearranged. Multipurpose furniture like an adjustable-height desk or an expandable table can be used to maximise the functionality of a space.

A sophisticated bedroom and hallway divided with colour

This desk has been made of MDF, cut out with a jig saw and mounted to the wall with brackets. It’s been painted in Resene Four Winds to keep the look sophisticated, and tie in the softness of the chair and vases painted in Resene Bokara Grey. Don’t forget to link accessories like a clock back into your colour scheme. Resene Kinship has been painted on this clock, applied over Resene Wallpaper Collection RD5671 for texture and added character.

It only takes a couple of coats of new paint to define a space and make you feel as if the room is brand new. Multi-purpose spaces are something to consider especially if you have a growing young family or regularly have guests visiting. Let your interests and priorities define a room, maybe it’s half a room set up with paint canvases, the other half a playroom you need. The only limit is what you can imagine.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Colours marked as "buy in-store" may not yet be available in our online ColorShop, however, the testpots can be purchased at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.

Swatch
Resene Eighth Black White