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Shapes and tones for this mural are taken from the existing décor in this neutral living room. The upper wall is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, lower wall in Resene Double Thorndon Cream, mural in Resene Cougar, Resene Half Cougar, Resene Craigieburn, Resene Half Craigieburn, Resene Quarter Craigieburn (top half) and Resene Terrain, Resene Evolution, Resene Cobblestone, Resene Quarter Karaka, Resene Half Karaka (bottom half). The floor is finished in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, pendant lamp in Resene Zeus and Resene Terrain, tables in Resene Cobblestone and Resene Zeus and plant pots on floor in Resene Zeus and Resene Rivergum. Sofa and ottoman from King, statement cushion and throws from Freedom. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
This multi-coloured and patterned bedroom keeps a cohesive feel through gentle tones and unified shades. The wall is painted in Resene Eighth Rice Cake with leaves and insects in Resene Edward, Resene Rainee, Resene Kandinsky, Resene Cashmere, Resene Zorba, Resene Tom Tom and Resene Willow Brook, side table in Resene Cashmere and vase in Resene Double Rice Cake. Resene Living duvet from Briscoes, pillowcases, throw and cushion from Adairs. Project by Shani Luckman, image by Bryce Carleton.
For a lively impact, layer your bold colours in different shapes across the wall. This wall is painted in Resene Soothe, with painted shapes in Resene Sebedee, Resene Merlot, Resene Coral Tree and Resene Streetwise. The floor is painted in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, desk in Resene Jaguar, chair in Resene Yuma and plant pot in Resene Coconut Cream. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
In this lounge, a wall painted in Resene Solitude has been given a gorgeous painterly treatment with a watercolour-style mini mural in shapes and colours inspired by an artistic cushion featuring a design painted by artist Dana Kinter. The mural is painted in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Tussock, Resene Saratoga, Resene Elephant, Resene Pirate Gold, Resene Calico, Resene Cobblestone and Resene Bubble White. The floor is painted in Resene Chino, sideboard in Resene Elephant with drawers in Resene Half Copyrite and handles in Resene Chino, vases (from left) in Resene Half Copyrite, Resene Tussock, Resene Gimblet and bowl in Resene Calico. Chair, light and rug from Freedom, cushion from Adairs. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.
Create your dream wall mural at home with this expert advice
A mural provides a fulfilling way to express your personality and creativity, and also has the power to transform the atmosphere of a room, creating a focal point that adds a sense of tranquillity, energy or playfulness, making it a rewarding and visually captivating addition to your living space.
If you’re thinking of adding this unique and fun touch to your home’s interior, we spoke to Laura Lynn Johnston, editor of BlackWhite, who’s got some handy tips for you before you pull out your paintbrushes.
Where should you consider painting a mural in your home?
While murals that take over an entire wall can make a real statement, one of the most on trend ways to incorporate a mural into your home is to create a ‘mini mural’. These small designs can be used to highlight or define a particular area of an open-plan living space.
Mini murals are an affordable alternative to hanging large scale artwork – but without having to put any holes in your walls. Your mural doesn’t need to be especially detailed, either; abstract compositions of freeform shapes or even simple geometric designs can work a treat. The beauty of using Resene testpots to create your mural is that you’re sure to find the perfect colour to coordinate with your scheme, instead of having to search around for the right size, shape and colour of artwork for your particular need.
In this lounge, a wall painted in Resene Solitude has been given a gorgeous painterly treatment with a watercolour-style mini mural in shapes and colours inspired by an artistic cushion featuring a design painted by artist Dana Kinter. The mural is painted in Resene FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Resene Tussock, Resene Saratoga, Resene Elephant, Resene Pirate Gold, Resene Calico, Resene Cobblestone and Resene Bubble White. The floor is painted in Resene Chino, sideboard in Resene Elephant with drawers in Resene Half Copyrite and handles in Resene Chino, vases (from left) in Resene Half Copyrite, Resene Tussock, Resene Gimblet and bowl in Resene Calico. Chair, light and rug from Freedom, cushion from Adairs. Project by Laura Lynn Johnston, image by Bryce Carleton.
A guest bathroom or powder room is the perfect place to try your hand at incorporating a mural into your décor. They’re usually smaller spaces, and since they’re always closed off, you don’t have as many sightlines to consider – which means they don’t need to necessarily tie perfectly into the rest of your home’s design. Children’s rooms are another great place to have a bit of fun with creating murals. You can even let your kids collaborate with you on the design to make it more special and give them that sense of ownership over their space. Take them with you to your local Resene ColorShop to pick up your testpots and supplies so they feel like they’re part of the whole process.
What are the key things to consider when planning a mural?
Be sure to plan your design out first on paper, even if you’re just doing very simple shapes, and then use a pencil or a piece of chalk to lightly transfer it on to your wall.
Don’t be constrained by corners, doors or other architectural features. You can absolutely break those boundaries and take your design right over those elements. Some of the coolest murals I’ve seen wrap around corners, over architraves on to doors, or even spill on to the floor. You can even take colour block or striped designs on to pieces of furniture for a really neat effect.
For a lively impact, layer your bold colours in different shapes across the wall. This wall is painted in Resene Soothe, with painted shapes in Resene Sebedee, Resene Merlot, Resene Coral Tree and Resene Streetwise. The floor is painted in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, desk in Resene Jaguar, chair in Resene Yuma and plant pot in Resene Coconut Cream. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
Try matching Resene paint colours to different accent hues that are already in your room, such as a favourite throw, cushion or vase and then using those same colours as an accent in your mural to tie your space together. If you need help finding the right hue, bring your items to your local Resene ColorShop and the staff there will be happy to assist with finding the right colours, or they can even mix you up a custom colour to match.
Are there any errors to avoid in regard to colour or pattern?
I think it’s common to be wary about mixing multiple patterns within a space, but it’s a lot easier than you may think. The trick to layering patterns is to firstly make sure they each have one to three colours in common. Then, you’ll also want them to vary in scale. For instance, if you have a bedlinen with a small floral design, be sure that your other patterns aren’t too small or bitsy – go larger, or try a ‘blown up’ version of those same flowers for your mural in Resene colours that match or coordinate. Similarly, if you have something like a bold, graphic rug, choose smaller designs for the other patterns in your space to balance it out.
This multi-coloured and patterned bedroom keeps a cohesive feel through gentle tones and unified shades. The wall is painted in Resene Eighth Rice Cake with leaves and insects in Resene Edward, Resene Rainee, Resene Kandinsky, Resene Cashmere, Resene Zorba, Resene Tom Tom and Resene Willow Brook, side table in Resene Cashmere and vase in Resene Double Rice Cake. Resene Living duvet from Briscoes, pillowcases, throw and cushion from Adairs. Project by Shani Luckman, image by Bryce Carleton.
For colour, make sure you have a mix of different values in your design. What makes a successful mural is the same thing that makes a successful artwork – you need a mix of light, medium and dark hues. It shouldn’t be all lights or all darks or all brights. If you’re creating a monochrome design with colours from a single Resene swatch, pick at least one from near the top, one from the middle and one from the bottom so that you’ll know you’ll have enough contrast in your end design.
For popular trending colours, look to the current Resene The Range fashion colours fandeck. A new one is released every two or three years. Not only are they made up of the most fashionable hues around, it’ll give you a more manageable selection to start with. If you’re worried that the colours might be ‘too trendy’, remember that it’s only paint, so it’s quick and easy to change things up if your taste or style evolves. Pick what resonates with you and don’t stress so much about whether you are going to want it to be on your wall forever.
What are your tips for getting the best results?
If you’re stuck for what to do for your design, look to other elements in your décor as a cue for shapes. You might be able to translate a segment from it into a mural to create that visual link through repetition – which is one of the key principles of design. For example, if your space is filled with angular forms, you might do better with a geometric mural whereas if you notice a lot of circular shapes, you should go for something rounder and curvilinear.
Shapes and tones for this mural are taken from the existing décor in this neutral living room. The upper wall is painted in Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream, lower wall in Resene Double Thorndon Cream, mural in Resene Cougar, Resene Half Cougar, Resene Craigieburn, Resene Half Craigieburn, Resene Quarter Craigieburn (top half) and Resene Terrain, Resene Evolution, Resene Cobblestone, Resene Quarter Karaka, Resene Half Karaka (bottom half). The floor is finished in Resene Colorwood Mid Greywash, pendant lamp in Resene Zeus and Resene Terrain, tables in Resene Cobblestone and Resene Zeus and plant pots on floor in Resene Zeus and Resene Rivergum. Sofa and ottoman from King, statement cushion and throws from Freedom. Project by Annick Larkin, image by Bryce Carleton.
If you find something on the internet that inspires you, upload an image of it to the Resene Colour Palette Generator and it will suggest a palette of colours for you. It makes picking your palette a breeze.
Be sure to use high-quality paintbrushes, ones that have plenty of soft bristles. It might seem counter-intuitive, but if you need to freehand a nice smooth curve, you’re going to want to use a wide brush for it. A lot of people feel nervous about doing that and will gravitate towards a small artist’s brush to paint their curve, but those sorts of brushes are much more sensitive to small wobbles, and it’ll be a slow and likely frustrating process if you take that route.
For larger areas that aren’t masked off, start with the outline and ‘feather’ your inward edges towards the centre as you go so that you’re not left with a hard edge on the inner side of your brushstrokes. Then, use a mini roller to fill in what’s left.
The same goes for tape. If you need to mask out areas to get those really crisp edges, don’t go cheap when it comes to your tape. A high-quality painter’s masking tape is only going to be a few dollars more of an investment, but it’s going to be well worth it because it’s not going to damage your basecoat and it’s going to peel off beautifully with a nice clean line when you remove it. I like using Sellotape Washi Advanced or Sellotape Premium+ Washi for my murals, which are both available in a variety of widths from Resene ColorShops and the Resene ColorShop online.
Your end product is only as good as your prep work, which is to say that a good quality finished design depends on a good quality base. If your wall needs to be washed, patched, sanded or painted first, be sure to do that – and do it properly – before you get stuck into creating your design.
Be brave. Most ‘mistakes’ happen when you try and hold back too much because you’re scared of messing up or making too much of a splash. It’s only paint – it’s easy to return it back to the way it was if you’re not sold on your design, and even easier to touch something up if your brush slips. Don’t worry so much about what other people do or think. It’s your home, and the only person that needs to love what you’ve done with it the place is the one living there.
Laura Lynn’s suggestions for mini-mural colour combos
For a leafy, nature-inspired design, go for Resene Mangrove, Resene Ravine and Resene Pumice.
For an energetic, colour pop design, try Resene Japonica, Resene Home Run, Resene Vista Blue and Resene Bardot.
For simple Hampton-inspired stripes use Resene Loblolly and Resene Black Haze.
For an on-trend desert sunset go for Resene Hot August, Resene Crail, Resene Sante Fe and Resene Cashmere.
For more advice on paints, colours and murals head to your local Resene ColorShop or Ask a Resene Colour Expert online.
Published: 24 Aug 2023
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
Resene Half Copyrite
Resene Half Copyrite
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Craigieburn
Resene Half Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Craigieburn
Resene Quarter Karaka
Resene Quarter Karaka
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Ask a Colour Expert service.
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Resene Half Copyrite
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Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Coconut Cream
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
Resene Eighth Rice Cake
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Resene Double Rice Cake
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Quarter Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Double Thorndon Cream
Resene Half Craigieburn
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Resene Quarter Craigieburn
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the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
