Dreamland

Craft - inspired by Resene, from Little Treasures magazine

Creating a beautiful space for your baby is a great way to celebrate the wee one’s impending arrival – and you’ll have a perfectly polished room once he or she is here.

Planning and decorating a room for your baby is incredibly exciting, but it can also be overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. Here are some helpful tips:

• Walls and doors will be in for a workout so opt for a washable finish, such as Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen waterborne enamel to make cleaning up marks easy.
• Think beyond the walls; paint furniture, toys and frames in your favourite colours.
• Always try out the colour scheme you plan to use with Resene testpots, just to make sure it’s what you want before you start painting.
• There are plenty of great effects you can create using effects finishes, stamps, sponges and general arts and crafts activities to add wall art, pencil holders and more to the finished room, so let your imagination run wild.
• Colour blocking is an easy way to introduce a few favourite colours without going overboard. Or you can try a two-toned effect with two like colours, as in the picture.
• When you’re painting the room, it’s usually best to start from the top – ceiling – and work your way down. That way you won’t drip paint on an already finished area.

Safety tips

In general, Resene recommends that you should not paint during pregnancy. Waterborne paints contain very low levels of solvents and some none at all, such as the Resene Zylone Sheen VOC Free range. Thus the risk from exposure is very small. However, there are still potential hazards to be avoided. The stretching action when painting walls and ceilings or putting up curtains, if overdone, can cause problems during pregnancy. Of course climbing up and down step ladders, etc, is also an underlying risk. However, if you have some small projects planned, such as painting a picture frame or a cot then the following is recommended:

• Avoid oil-based/solventborne products. Use only waterborne products
• Do not use spray paints
• Wear a suitable mask when sanding and painting
• Do not eat or drink during painting
• Ensure good ventilation during and after painting
• Do not use any solvent for cleaning tools, etc
• Always consult your doctor or midwife if you have any concerns before carrying out a project when pregnant.

Testpot projects

Resene testpots are ideal for small projects. You can choose from a huge range of colours without the bother of being left with too much spare paint afterwards.

• Pick a palette of 3-5 Resene colours and use them in different combinations – that way all the elements will work together without looking identical.
• Try using Resene Blackboard Paint in place of standard paint for items such as a toy box or height chart. That way when older, your little ones can let loose with their creativity.
• Add some extra pizazz to your projects with the Resene Metallic range or Resene Magnetic Magic.
• Think ahead. Kids grow fast and tastes change rapidly. When you’re choosing a palette, think of colours that you can accessorise in many different ways.
• If you’re planning a room for a newborn and don’t know whether it’s a boy or girl, try opting for soft shades of green or lemon. You can stick with those colours or add blues for boys or pinks and purples for a more feminine look.

Kid's Bedroom Decorating Ideas
View more decorating ideas for kids from Little Treasures magazine in the Resene kid's bedroom inspiration gallery.

More ideas