Ideas for small space living

Small space living is a hot topic in property circles, as many flock to the idea of downsizing and living comfortably in a way that takes up less space. If you're thinking about joining the movement, it's important to plan how you'll use colour and furniture to maximise the space inside your home.

Resene neutrals have been used to great effect in this small space styled by Amber Armitage... one half painted in Resene Sea Fog, the other in Resene Half Grey Chateau, clearly separating the bedroom and living area. And for a stylish and functional divider, Amber has added cube shelving painted in Resene Steam Roller.

While some people simply love bold colour and can live with it within a confined space, a neutral palette will really open up the room visually. It also allows you to subtly play with different tones. 

Why we love this

  • The cube shelving lends itself to three purposes – divider, storage, and texture through tonal colour. Talk about getting the most out of your furniture. 

  • Look closely, and you'll see a theme to Amber's setting that ties the room together – from the Turquoise Coastline print above the bed to the cactus ornament painted in Resene Grass Hopper, it's all a beautiful nod to nature. 
     
  • It's obvious to most by now that indoor plants bring beauty to any room. We love how each pot is a different colour (the two painted pots are in Resene Rivergum and Resene Organic), adding colour and texture in an organic way. 
     
  • Amber has finished the floors in Resene Colorwood Greywash, an exquisite look paired with walls in Resene Sea Fog and Resene Half Grey Chateau. It also tricks the mind into thinking there's a lot more height between the floor and ceiling.
     
  • Painting the chair and pot stand in Resene Nero is another clever idea. Being slightly bulkier furniture, the darker hue helps them to recede comfortably into the corner, instead of visually taking up space if they were painted in a brighter colour. 

Published: 20 Jul 2017

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

neutrals, white, small space, tiny house, stained floor, floors

A beautiful example of small space living, this room is painted in two halves, Resene Half Grey Chateau (left) and Resene Sea Fog, to delineate the bedroom and living area. Cube shelving painted in Resene Steam Roller acts as a stylish divider as well as storage. The floor is finished in Resene Colorwood Greywash. 

pictures

Wendy Fenwick, styling by Amber Armitage. 

small space, tiny house, whites, neutrals

Having moveable storage in a small space gives you the flexibility to move it around, and make more room when you need to. Amber has used a nice trio of Resene neutrals here - Resene Steam Roller on the cube shelving, Resene Half Grey Chateau on the left side of the wall, and Resene Sea Fog on the right. 

The chair and pot plant are painted in Resene Nero, the cactus is painted in Resene Grass Hopper, and the floor is finished in Resene Colorwood Greywash. 

pictures

Wendy Fenwick, styling by Amber Armitage. Props from Nest, Freedom Furniture, Father Rabbit and Tim Webber. Turquoise Coastline artwork by Amber Armitage.

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Resene Steam Roller

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Resene Half Grey Chateau

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