This blue and grey toned space gives instant structure to what may otherwise be a plain, uninteresting space. The wall top triangle is Resene Indian Ink, the middle triangle is Resene Athens Grey and the bottom triangle is Resene Atmosphere. The room is pulled together with Resene Stack on the floor, Resene Indian Ink on the rope side table, Resene Blue Night on the bench and Resene Eighth Tapa on the picture frame and the small pot.

Accessories: Candle Resort Luxe Soy in Helsinki, Vintage Linen Fringed Cushion in Smoke, String of Pearls Plant, Silver Dollar Vine Plant, from Shut The Front Door. Copenhagen Chair Cozy, Kisii Floor Rug 160x230cm, Meritt Vase Wide, Conway Vase Tall Grey, Akori Throw 130x150cm Natural, Flora Fiddle Leaf Stem, Rogue Bird of Paradise, Rogue Monsteria Leaf from Freedom Furniture; Iris Magnolia print from Wallflower. Hydrangea Tassel cushion from Thread Design.

Here the triangle design cleverly adds depth, dimension and a shot of citrus in bright Resene Hypnotic to an otherwise very neutral layered look. This is also a great way for framing a separate space in a small or open-plan room. Here the darker triangles, the bowl and the stool are in Resene Quarter Stack. The background wall, chairs and small vase are in Resene Quarter Surrender. The table is Resene Half Carefree, the floor is Resene Half Duck Egg Blue and the large vase is Resene Sublime.

Accessories: Contrast Pendant light and Talo Mug in Fog from Citta. Linens & More Tibetan Lamb Fur Cushions in Natural and Grey from Shut the Front Door. Knotty Throw from Alex & Corban, Wooden fruit from Kikki K. Wooden shapes from Country Road.

A bold rectangle shape in the deep gold of Resene Hot Toddy perfectly echoes and frames a statement couch, making the space glamorous and inviting. It’s easy to create and works particularly well against the tonal grey and charcoal layers of the rest of the room and furnishings. The back wall is Resene Nero, the peg stool and tabletop are Resene Half Gravel, and the table legs are Resene Double Merino.

Accessories: Baxter Velour Mustard Couch from Me and My Trend, Lamp, hat, books stylist’s own.

Here a stylish arch shape painted in Resene Avalanche immediately adds a ’70s Spanish hacienda feel to an otherwise plain room. The touch of blue not only completely changes the vibe of this space but nicely warms up the millennial pink wall in Resene Soothe and the cool, clean white floor in Resene Alabaster. The small side table is also Resene Alabaster as is the pendant light shade, perfectly framed by the arch. The vase is Resene Soothe. 

Accessories: Dax Sofa in Dusty Blue from Me And My Trend, High Rise Framed Print, from Shut the Front Door, Kaya pink cushion from Country Road, Kerrigan mug in Still Water and Rose from Freedom Furniture.

Intersecting circles of on trend dusky pastels are just the ticket for a cool kids’ room, adding pattern and colour without being busy. And the use of complementary pastel shades means you can go multi-coloured without the result being loud or overwhelming. Older kids should be able to help out creating, stencilling and painting this design as well. Start with the subtle base colour over the whole wall then, here circles are overlayed in (from left) Resene Half Moonbeam, Resene Surf Crest and Resene Poet. The floor is in Resene Loblolly, the ladder is Resene Half Opal, and the birds reflect the circles in birds in Resene Half Moonbeam and Resene Poet.

Accessories: Aquasuvious Duvet Set, Shimmer Velvet Quilt in Grey, and Shimmer Velvet Pillowcase in Grey from Wallace Cotton. Shoes and globe, stylist’s own.

Here’s an example of a bright, fun way to use shapes in a kids' playroom or bedroom. This space uses pops of primary colours with Resene Sea World on the wall grid, Resene Havoc on the table and crosses and hanging pot, with Resene Shooting Star on the chairs and noughts. A splash of green adds a finishing touch with Resene Wheel Of Fortune on the wooden trug. The key to this look is a clean neutral background wall and floor, both painted in Resene Pearl Lusta. For a different effect you could paint the square grid in blackboard or magnetic paint, or even paint square cork tiles.

Accessories: Acapulco Lounge Chairs from Mocka. Other props: stylist’s own