
Heather’s triple blue bathroom makeover and colourful home
22 May 2025
When Heather and her family moved into their home a few years ago, they knew it would take some time to bring the house up to their taste. One of the things on their to-do list was revamping the bathrooms, and boy, did they make a splash!
"We knew we wanted something fresh and modern,” says Heather. “The bathrooms were outdated, and we were eager to change that.” Their solution came in the form of a striking range of blues that has now transformed each space into a joyful and serene haven.
Heather chose Resene Pelorous for both the ensuite and former powder room. "I’ve always had a soft spot for greens, but my family loves blue, so it was a bit of a compromise,” she says. “I couldn’t be happier with how the Resene Pelorous turned out, it’s calming yet vibrant at the same time.”
Heather’s ensuite is now painted in Resene Pelorous pairing it with a half strength on the ceiling for a subtle contrast. This vibrant blue works well with the cool grey toned tiles.
The ex-powder room is now a functional bathroom adorned in a brilliant blue hue, Resene Pelorous.
The family bathroom downstairs took a different blue route, using Resene Subzero for the walls. "It’s so refreshing, and it feels like we’ve really brought the room to life with the cooler tones," Heather says. She loves how the colours work together to create a cool, tranquil environment.
The family bathroom is now painted in Resene Subzero, a cool and fresh blue, with Resene Quarter Subzero on the ceiling.
But Heather didn’t stop at just the bathrooms. She also had a vision for making the most of the downstairs space. "We grabbed a corner of the huge downstairs bathroom and turned it into a kitchenette that opens onto the lounge. It’s the perfect spot for a quick snack or a cup of tea!" she says. To make the space more functional, a pocket door with glass insets was added to separate the downstairs lounge from the entranceway. This change not only added visual interest but also helped with heating and noise control.
There was plenty of painting involved – more than Heather originally anticipated. "We also painted my daughter’s bedroom in Resene Perfume, a lovely lavender that suits her style perfectly. It was a bit of a compromise too – she wanted purple, but we all agreed this shade was a beautiful balance.” The family room downstairs got a coat of Resene Time Out, a clean, crisp blue that works beautifully with the space’s new layout.
Heather’s daughter’s bedroom is painted in the delightful violet hue of Resene Perfume. The trims and cupboard doors are painted in Resene Alabaster.
The family room is adorned in the fresh pastel blue of Resene Time Out with trims in Resene Alabaster.
Although Heather is proud of the blue theme in her bathrooms, the whole home has received a fresh coat of paint. "The main part of the house is painted in Resene Sea Fog, with Resene Alabaster trims and doors. It’s a bit more neutral, which helps balance out all the colour in the bathrooms and bedrooms," she says.
This project wasn't Heather's first rodeo. She and her husband have been reimagining homes for years. "We added a bedroom, ensuite and carport to our last house and my husband did most of the painting and wallpapering himself. The house before that was our first big project – new kitchen benchtops, new paint and wallpaper. My sister taught my husband how to wallpaper. It was his first time, but he got it done!" she says.
As a fun little project, and to create a harmonious design, Heather painted some old lolly buckets in the same shade as each bathroom to use as rubbish bins. This bucket is painted in Resene Pelorous to match the ensuite and ex powder room.
The family is clearly no stranger to home renovations, and while the bathrooms are a showstopper, Heather’s ultimate goal is to keep adding layers of personality and colour. "I love how the bathrooms turned out, but there’s still more to do. Eventually, we want to tackle the other bedrooms, but we’re in no rush.
"We made great choices in all the rooms, and the colours really complement the accessories and furniture. It’s amazing how much a coat of paint can change a space!"
Heather’s triple bathroom makeover shows just how a splash of paint can transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary. With careful thought, personal style and a little family compromise, she has created a home that is not only beautiful but also functional for everyone who lives there.
Before photos of Heather’s bathrooms:
Top tip: When painting wet areas like bathrooms, it's important to use a paint specifically designed to handle high moisture. The Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range is ideal for these spaces for off white colours, as it offers a durable, washable finish that resists mould and mildew, keeping your bathroom looking fresh and protected for longer. If you’re using bolder colours, ask Resene ColorShop staff to add extra MoulDefender to your Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen or Resene Lustacryl paint for extra protection.
Published: 22 May 2025