Afternoon delights: Quick and colourful projects to try at home

Picture the scene: you’ve got a free afternoon and you feel like getting busy with a craft idea. This is where Resene testpots come into their own – just the right amount of paint to add pops of colour to your living space, and at a price point that brings a smile to your face. 

Smaller painting projects – shelves, portable storage, even plant pots – are a great project for renters who want to take their creations with them when they move on, as well as people who like to change up their decor without redoing a whole room.

Shelve it


These floating shelves can be painted in an hour or two and hung up with 3M picture hanging strips. The shelves are painted in (from top) Resene Smiles, Resene Sherbert and Resene Yabbadabbadoo. The wall is in Resene Softly Softly, vase and candle in Resene FX Metallic Solid Gold, seashell in Resene Buzz and pot in Resene Splat. Project by Leigh Stockton, image by Bryce Carleton.  

Few homes have enough storage and a well-placed shelf can bring delight and order to so many areas – from a ledge near the front door for sunglasses and keys, to these cheerful cuties that are ideal for a kid’s bedroom or play area. Pick a palette that matches – or contrasts – with your children’s toys. An idea like this is a great way to inject personality and fun into a room while keeping your neutral wall-loving landlord (or partner) happy. 

Rather than having the same colour for your shelves, why not choose a selection? You can stick within the same tonal family or go bold with complementary choices. Try pastel greens like Resene Edgewater and Resene Fringy Flower, or ocean blues like Resene Subzero and Resene Float 

The beauty of this type of project is the colours can easily be switched out as your young person grows up. Ideal for a teenager whose taste swings from bright and breezy to dark and moody overnight.   


Black and white are a classic combination. This crisp wall in Resene Black White contrasts well with the floor and trellis in Resene Nero. The drawer frame is painted in Resene Nero, with drawer fronts and pot plants in Resene Double Merino, Resene Atmosphere and Resene Quarter Gravel. Project by Megan Harrison-Turner, image by Melanie Jenkins. 

And if they (or you!) do decide to paint it black, there are myriad hues to choose from. You might think black is black, but there’s more to it than that. Try Resene Nero, a deep black with inky blue undertones, or Resene Blackjack, a leathery carbon black. Meanwhile Resene Double Foundry and Resene Double Cod Grey are more earthy, charcoal blacks. Or keep it simple with Resene Black. 

For four more fun floating shelf ideas to make, click here! 

Off your trolley


We like to move it, move it. Wall and cabinets on left painted in Resene Conch. Right hand wall inResene Blanched Pink. Trolley painted inResene Periglacial Blue, vessels on top from left painted inResene Periglacial Blue,Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue andResene Grain Brown and circular box inResene Blanched Pink. Soapstone tumbler, from Asili, terracotta vase from Flotsam and Jetsam. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.  

If attaching shelves to the wall feels a bit too permanent, what about moveable storage? A trolley on castors is a versatile way to keep magazines and books tidy, display precious objects and even act as a mobile coffee table. They can also be a great place for indoor or outdoor plants – easy to move in and out of the sun, as their growing conditions require.  

Paint your trolley to tone in with your walls – perhaps a half shade darker or lighter. For example; if your walls are painted in Resene Tea, paint your trolley in Resene Double Tea or Resene Half Tea. Matching other items in the room gives an air of bespoke sophistication and can be extended to the objects being displayed. In our room, the vase on the left is in Resene Periglacial Blue to match the trolley, while the one in the middle is Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue. 


This trolley is painted in Resene Indian Ink, contrasting with the other blue tones but still keeping with the blue theme. The wall and breeze block bench are painted in Resene Triple Merino, deck in Resene Woodsman Tiri, screen in Resene Kashmir Blue, planter box in Resene Smokescreen with painted design in Resene Indian Ink, tall ombre plant pot in Resene Gull Grey and Resene Balderdash and small plant pot in Resene Alabaster. Project by Kate Alexander, image by Bryce Carleton.

Pots of colour


Green tones tie this patio together. The chair is in the fresh botanical green of Resene Awol. The textured exterior wall is painted in Resene Resitex Plastercote in Resene Foggy Grey. The bench seat is also Resene Foggy Grey. Deck painted in Resene Walk-On paving paint tinted to Resene Gunsmoke, small side table in Resene Nirvana, table pot and large planter in Resene Turtle Green, medium planter in Resene Fawn Green, small planter in Resene Awol, planter holders in Resene Clover with tins in Resene Fawn Green. The interior walls are Resene Miso and the floor is Resene Thorndon Cream. On the oak table the vase is Resene Clover and the tealight holder is Resene Fawn Green. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Wendy Fenwick. 

Even old outdoor terracotta pots can be painted – a great way to perk up a tired-looking planter so it’s ready for spring. We might be stretching what’s possible in a single afternoon here (you’ll need a bit of drying time between coats), but painting pots isn’t a labour-intensive job project and Resene has all the products you need. 

Ensure your pots are clean and dry, then paint the inside and outside using Resene Aquapel & Terracotta Sealer. This will prevent moisture coming through from the inside and affecting the paint finish on the outside. Apply two coats of your chosen colour. We used a selection of fresh shades that complement each other and set off the foliage beautifully. If you’re into blues, you might like to try a mix of Resene Ship Cove, Resene Polo Blue and Resene Time Out. If you’re into reds and oranges you can try Resene Hot August, Resene Rapture and Resene Apple Blossom. Finally, a coat of Resene Clearcoat UVS will lock in the colour and keep it looking great all season.


You can also be as creative as you like, mix up your favourite Resene colours with different patterns and give your green friends a special home. Try this DIY where Fleur usesResene Lemon Ginger,Resene Sunglo,Resene Pompadour,Resene Elephant,Resene Midnight Moss,Resene Vanquish,Resene Porsche andResene Bullion to refresh some old pots.Click here for the step-by-step guide.

These quick and colourful DIY projects offer a delightful way to brighten up your home without the commitment of a full room makeover and you’ll be surprised how much doing a DIY project can help to calm and relax a busy mind. Perfect for renters and homeowners alike, express your creativity and keep your living space fresh and vibrant. So, grab your favourite colours in Resene testpots from your localResene ColorShop or shop online,shop.resene.com/testpots, and let your imagination run wild!

Published: 24 Jul 2024

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

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Resene Yabbadabbadoo

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Resene Softly Softly

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Resene Fringy Flower

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Resene Black White

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Resene Double Merino

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Resene Quarter Gravel

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Resene Double Foundry

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Resene Double Cod Grey

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Resene Blanched Pink

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Resene Periglacial Blue

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Resene Grain Brown

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Resene Quarter Periglacial Blue

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Resene Triple Merino

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Resene Kashmir Blue

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Resene Smokescreen

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Resene Turtle Green

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Resene Thorndon Cream

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Resene Apple Blossom

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Resene Lemon Ginger

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Resene Midnight Moss

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