Get Smart with Colour in Small Spaces

Transform a small space into a jewel box with rich pops of vibrant colour. These decorating ideas prove small rooms can be bright and bold.

Block It Out

A plain white room can be injected with dynamism and energy with the addition of one item in a punchy hue. It’s not difficult to understand why a rich forest green was the choice for a colour pop in this converted warehouse apartment – it brings depth and contrast to the predominantly neutral interior while echoing and drawing in the lush, verdant growth seen through the window.

Top tip

Remember the rule of three – if you’re adding a bold Resene paint feature, use the same colour in two other ways in the room, such as cushions, ornaments or art.

Tone It Down

Dark tonal schemes offer a very different feel in an intimate space – one that is calm and contemplative. In the living room of an apartment (above), the sombre tones and assorted vintage pieces come together for a very modern look. Painting the walls, ceilings and windowpanes in the same hue helps soften hard edges and creates an illusion of height and space.

In the small but perfectly styled bedroom, blue proves itself to be the most calming colour for sleeping spaces. Narrow wooden battens have been fixed on the diagonal to create an unusual panelled wall that acts as a headboard for a simple divan bed. The rich peacock-blue colour is modern and sophisticated, and a few tonal blue cushions pull it all together. This would make an incredibly stylish room for a teenager.

Top tip

Low sheen and flat finishes, such as Resene SpaceCote, help walls recede and make spaces feel larger.

Boldly Go

Studio or open-plan apartments often need to be divided up into zones for different activities. The banana yellow of this towering wooden room divider (above) seems a daring choice, but the solid block of colour makes the space come alive and gives the seating area a sense of privacy. Yellow – the sunshine colour – is such a good option for adding cheer. It can be overwhelming if not used with caution but sparks joy when applied sparingly. And while you don’t often see it used much in interiors, it’s a fantastic contrast colour, bringing energy and emotional uplift to a room.

This wee galley kitchen, with its sombre grey walls is given an unexpected burst of colour in the shape of a retro cabinet complete with its original handles.

Top tip

Use colour to change the way your room feels – raise the ceiling by using a quarter strength of your Resene wall colour, such as Resene Black White for walls and Resene Quarter Black White on the ceiling.