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3 super simple ways to transform your space this weekend

Did you know that even if you’re short on time and energy, there are a few quick and incredibly easy ways you can completely transform your space? These simple but effective creative ideas can add fun and elevate a lacklustre room in a flash – without the need for any filling, sanding, priming or painting the walls. Check out the Weekend Project ideas on the Resene website for lots of other quick decorating ideas. 

Make it stick

Add flair to bare walls with the Resene wall decal collection. They come in a huge range of designs – from flora and fauna to stamps and iconic phrases – and are in a range of shades inspired by Resene colours. The wall decals are made in New Zealand and are available to order from Resene ColorShops.

How do you decide where to put a wall decal? Look for areas in your home that feel a little lacklustre. A wall decal is an easy way to dress up a small area or a feature space without overwhelming it, and can be easily used instead of a piece of art to add a little colour to your room. If you think you may want to move the decal to a different space later, apply it onto a painted panel and then you can move it around like a piece of art and take it with you when you move home.

Preparing your surface for a Resene Wall Decal

While installing a wall decal is a lot less time consuming than painting a wall, there are a few ways you need to prepare and things you should do to get the best result possible. If you have recently painted the wall, be sure to wait a full month before you install a decal to give the paint enough time to fully cure. 

When you’re ready to roll, use a slightly damp cloth to wipe the wall down, then give the area a light sand with fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out any impecetions and give the decal better grip.  Wipe the wall down again to remove any stray sanding dust as this can compromise the adhesion of the decal. Once it’s dry, you’re ready to go. For full instructions on how to install, click here. 

The Resene wall decal collection features a range of styles, including (from left) Tūī and Kingfisher Piha Night Sky, Coast to Coast in Resene Forest Green and Tūī Feather.

Frame of mind

Resene has a vast and varied collection of stunning wallpapers, and instead of papering an entire wall you can simply frame a piece of your favourite print. You can order cut lengths of selected wallpapers at your local Resene ColorShop or buy a roll and use it on a range of projects to connect different features in your home together – think table runners and drawer inserts as a starting point. To check out the full range of wallpapers in person, head to your local Resene ColorShop or browse some of the favourites from the Resene Wallpaper Collection online

Once you have your wallpaper, look for a sturdy frame that complements the size and style of your pattern. Consider mixing and matching styles to create a dynamic gallery wall if you have multiple wallpaper options and you can elevate the display even further by painting your frame with a complementary Resene testpot colour.

Testing, testing…

You’ll be amazed at how reimagining your vases and other decor items with a fresh modern colour can elevate your space. Resene testpots couldn’t be more perfect for this job – remember to use a coat of Resene Waterborne Sureseal on smooth shiny surfaces like glass first. If you don’t have any items on hand that you want to paint, they’re very cheap to source or thrift.

Wall, floor and bench seat painted in Resene Sea Fog, wall design in Resene Moonbeam, frames in Resene Teak and wallpaper artwork in Resene Kimono Wallpaper Collection 409253 (left) and Resene Salsa Wallpaper Collection 464900 (right). Project by Tracey Strange, image by Belinda Merrie.
Wall painted in Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Cabbage Pont, tiles in Resene Sandtex Mediterranean effect with a topcoat of Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in Resene Cabbage Pont, mantelpiece finished with Resene Colorwood Whitewash and Resene Aquaclear, and vases painted in (from left) Resene Quarter Parchment, Resene Biscotti and Resene Alabaster.

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