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In this quaint home office, the walls are painted in Resene Spanish White, floor and shelves stained in Resene Colorwood Bask, desk in Resene Double Spanish White, chair in Resene Half Spanish White, pin board in Resene Triple Spanish White and accessories in Resene Quarter Spanish White, Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Double Spanish White and Resene White. Tealight holder from Indie Home Collective, shell basket and palm leaves from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
In this quaint dining and kitchen, Resene Curiosity Wallpaper Collection 537635 creates a cosy backdrop with depth and colour.
In this cosy nook, the walls are painted in Resene Paddock, shelves and bench seat in Resene Green Spring, floor stained in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, books in Resene Spanish White and accessories in Resene Cabbage Pont, Resene Secrets and Resene Iko Iko. Cushions from The Warehouse, artwork from Etsy. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
This handy room divider is painted in Resene Steam Roller, left wall in Resene Half Grey Chateau, right wall in Resene Sea Fog, floorboards stained in Resene Colorwood Greywash and clear-coated with Resene Qristal Clearfloor, chair and plant stand in Resene Nero, pot in Resene Organic, cactus and vase in Resene Grass Hopper. Bedlinen from Nest, bed from Freedom, art by Amber Armitage, clock, moccasins, quilt and cushion from Father Rabbit, black tray from Tim Webber. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
A simple touch in your entryway is all you need, like this textured neutral design of Resene Curiosity Wallpaper Collection 537338.
How to make the most of small spaces in your home
Small spaces can be the most rewarding to design. Maybe you’ve got a dainty home, or perhaps you’ve just got one of those corners or walls that is an awkward size and you’re not sure what to do with it. Resene paints, stains and wallpapers are your new best friends here, and will help you define these areas, lift the mood and keep everything feeling both practical and intentional.
Let’stake a look at some small spaces in homes that often need a little love.
Work it out
In this quaint home office, the walls are painted in Resene Spanish White, floor and shelves stained in ReseneColorwood Bask, desk in Resene Double Spanish White, chair in Resene Half Spanish White, pin board in Resene Triple Spanish White and accessories in Resene Quarter Spanish White, Resene Half Spanish White, Resene Double Spanish White and Resene White. Tealight holder from Indie Home Collective, shell basket and palm leaves from Adairs. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
All you need is a quiet wall or little nook and you can turn it into a calm, focused workspace. This is great if you don’t have an extra room but still need a home office, as working on the couch or dining table isn’t always ideal – for your posture, as well as other members of your household.
Keep the palette simple to minimise visual noise, especially in smaller zones, then add texture with a subtle wallpaper or Resene FX Paint Effects Medium and natural materials like wood, stone and ceramics. A slim desk, a comfortable chair and one good desk lamp are often all you need. Use floating shelves or a peg board to keep the surface clear, and consider using a single accent colour to tie the elements together.
Tip: For a soft yet sophisticated mood in your space, use a flat finish on walls, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat.
Tiny table talk
In this quaint dining and kitchen, Resene Curiosity Wallpaper Collection 537635 creates a cosy backdrop with depth and colour.
A compact dining area can still feel stylish and inviting with a few smart choices. For example, using wallpaper as a feature wall is a great way to add depth and character without taking up any physical space. In an open-plan kitchen and dining zone, a patterned backdrop helps define the eating area, making it feel like its own cosy corner.
Pair the wallpaper with simple furniture and a light colour palette like neutrals in Resene Alabaster or Resene White Pointer to keep the room from feeling crowded, and let the pattern do the talking. This is proof that even the smallest spaces can make a big design statement!
Tip: For kitchen walls, use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen in the Resene Kitchen & Bathroom range for added toughness and ease of cleaning, especially if the kitchen is part of an open-plan living area. This formulation also has the benefit of added anti-bacterial properties and MoulDefender for protection against mildew.
Booked in
In this cosy nook, the walls are painted in Resene Paddock, shelves and bench seat in Resene Green Spring, floor stained in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy, books in Resene Spanish White and accessories in Resene Cabbage Pont, Resene Secrets and Resene Iko Iko. Cushions from The Warehouse, artwork from Etsy. Project by Vanessa Nouwens, image by Bryce Carleton.
If a chair fits, a nook exists. Claim that awkward corner for your own restful spot with a comfy seat, a small side table and soft lighting. Some built-in shelving, if you can fit it, will help create some extra storage and declutter the area. You can paint it in the same or a similar tone to help it blend into the wall, like we’ve done with Resene Paddock and Resene Green Spring. These gentle pastoral greens, or breezy blues like Resene Breathless and Resene Casper, will bring an instant calming atmosphere to your new reading nook. Layer a throw and cushions in related tones and you can’t go wrong with your favourite artwork on the wall for added colour and personality.
Tip:For built-in shelving, furniture and hard-wearing surfaces use Resene Enamacryl or Resene Lustacryl. These are great for their durability and to help prevent against scrapes and dents.
Divide and conquer
This handy room divider is painted in Resene Steam Roller, left wall in Resene Half Grey Chateau, right wall in Resene Sea Fog, floorboards stained in Resene Colorwood Greywash and clear-coated with Resene Qristal Clearfloor, chair and plant stand in Resene Nero, pot in Resene Organic, cactus and vase in Resene Grass Hopper. Bedlinen from Nest, bed from Freedom, art by Amber Armitage, clock, moccasins, quilt and cushion from Father Rabbit, black tray from Tim Webber. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Wendy Fenwick.
In a studio apartment or multipurpose room, let surfaces do the zoning for you. Changing the wall colour between areas creates a natural threshold that looks designed, not makeshift. You can also use shelving to separate the areas, which will give you some added storage. Consider a fold-down desk, wall-hung shelves or nesting tables too.
In small spaces like this, repeat two or three colours across furniture and accessories to link the zones and keep things simple, like we’ve done with these neutrals and greens in Resene Half Grey Chateau, Resene Sea Fog and Resene Grass Hopper.
First impressions
A simple touch in your entryway is all you need, like this textured neutral design of Resene Curiosity Wallpaper Collection 537338.
First impressions count, even in one metre of space! But you don’t need to go all out and this one proves that. A charming wallpaper, or a confident paint colour, and a bench is really all you need. Add some wall hooks or baskets for hats and bags, a tray or mat for shoes and a mirror to bounce the light around and give the illusion of more space. If you’re choosing a neutral wallpaper like Resene Curiosity Wallpaper Collection 537338 then you can add pops of colour in accessories, artwork or with lush greenery.
Check out Resene’s Decorating Inspiration Gallery for more home design and DIY ideas. For more colour advice, head to your local Resene ColorShop, or Ask A Colour Expert online. And don’t forget to follow habitat by Resene on Instagram for more inspiration.
Published: 25 Sep 2025
Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
the look
If you're stuck on what
colour to use or need colour
advice, try out the Resene
Ask a Colour Expert service.
