If you’re fortunate enough to have a spare room, don't let it languish; there's nothing more satisfying than decluttering and giving it a fresh coat of paint to transform it into a welcoming haven for guests and family. Here we reimagine a spare room in soft pastel shades, with ambient lighting, upgraded bed linen, and vintage personal touches. The result is a small, but perfectly charming room that radiates warmth and character. Read on to see more.
First, choose the colour
The living spaces in my home are mainly painted in Resene Half Black White, but I have loved experimenting with colour in the bedrooms. The main bedroom is Resene Pale Rose, and the converted spare room, now my dressing room, is painted Resene Corn Field. The final bedroom, my latest project, is a toss-up between pale blue and soft green. Each pastel shade I chose was meant to evoke a sense of calm and comfort in my home. This new project needed a colour that would suit a small space and a very sunny room. I settled on Resene Peppermint. Why? After an experiment with Resene Testpots, leaving the test colours on the wall for a week, I could see each shade in every light. This is a great way to see how the colour will influence the room, regardless of lighting conditions that can vary throughout the day and night. This room has all-day natural light and large windows that open onto the garden, so the soft, fresh green Resene Peppermint helped bring the outside in. Once paired with Resene Half Black White on the ceiling, wardrobe, and skirting, this combination complements the warm wooden floorboards.
When you’re unsure about introducing colour into your home, pastels are the perfect choice. Green in every shade is a New Zealand favourite, instantly reflecting our outdoor lifestyle and natural green landscape. Soft shades of green are also used as a receding colour to make walls appear farther away than they actually are, visually expanding a small space. There is also the question of light. These soft hues, not too far from a white palette, have high light reflectance, making them flattering in both natural and artificial light. This also reduces shadows, which prevents the room from feeling cramped. Pastels also have an instant calming effect, giving that sense of tranquillity and relaxation - ideal for a bedroom. Finally, pastels work best paired with natural materials such as wood, stone, and linen, which add depth and warmth.
Style and colour Inspiration
The room makeover complete
Our spare room needed some love. The first step was a sugar soap clean of the walls, which also needed some attention: filling holes, sanding flaking paint, and removing a recessed wall light. Using Gib Plus 4, the ready-mixed air filler, to repair the gapping hole left by removing the light fitting. After applying two coats of Resene Peppermint, the room took on a fresh new look. The scuffed skirting boards also had a fresh coat of Resene Half Black White paint.
To keep this small space clutter-free, I measured carefully when choosing furniture. I selected a small, upcycled vintage drawer set that fits well without overcrowding. To create a tranquil atmosphere at night, I layered lighting by adding a bedside lamp with a soft pink shade and installed dimmers on the ceiling lights. The striped rug, a new duvet, pillows, artwork, and a mirror on the dressing table with fresh flowers make the room feel clean and more inviting. Check out the transformation video.
Here’s some inspiration.