sleep easy
From habitat highlights - issue 43, bedroom storage
Clever bedroom storage ideas to deal with the clutter and provide calm.
There’s nothing like walking into a bedroom that feels calm, airy and clutter-free. It’s a space that should serve as a sanctuary – not a place where laundry piles up or things get stashed under the bed in a rush before guests arrive. The secret to creating this restful atmosphere? Thoughtful, well-integrated storage solutions and serene Resene paint colours that make everyday life feel effortlessly tidy. We’ve pulled together four smart projects that maximise space while adding personality and purpose to your home.
The smart bedhead – Bedhead painted in Resene Coast, wall in Resene Half House White, skirting in Resene Eighth Black White, floorboards in Resene Colorwood Bleached Riverstone...
S-vase, clock and lamp in Resene Ming, tray and lower vase in Resene Kumutoto and books in Resene Quarter White Pointer.
Roll-out drawers – Drawers painted in Resene Conch and floorboards stained in Resene Colorwood Bleached Riverstone.
The smart bedhead
The humble bedhead gets a clever upgrade with built-in shelving or cubbies to be used to store books or additional blankets – freeing up your bedside table for the things that truly belong there – like your morning coffee or a lamp. Make it a focal point by painting it in a bold hue, such as Resene Coast, or use a Resene Colorwood We Speak Beach stain wash colour to keep the timber look.
› View a step-by-step guide on how to make this bedhead.
top tip Refresh furniture in children’s bedrooms with Eco-Choice approved Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel for an easy-to-wipe-clean finish. For a luxe look in an adult’s room, try a matte finish such as Karen Walker Chalk Paint and wax from your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
Roll-out drawers
If your bed frame has adequate space underneath, don’t let it go to waste. Repurposed drawers from an unused dresser or set of shelves make brilliant under-bed storage – perfect for off-season clothing, spare blankets or kids' toys. Add castor wheels to make sliding them out a breeze. It’s a sustainable solution that keeps clutter tucked out of sight but still within easy reach.
› View a step-by-step guide on how to make these drawers.
Wall of trinkets – Shelf stained in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt and sealed in Resene Aquaclear, wall in Resene Breathless and trinket items in Resene FX Metallic Dalek, Resene Haven, Resene Dusted Blue, Resene Rice Cake and Resene FX Metallic Gold Dust.
Case closed – Table whitewashed in Resene Colorwood Whitewash, decor in Resene Mai Tai and Resene Eighth Rice Cake, wall in Resene Cashmere and floorboards in Resene Colorwood Breathe Easy.
Wall of trinkets
Show off your treasures in a cubed wooden shelf stained in soft, breezy Resene Colorwood wood stain in Resene Rock Salt, which gives a lovely blonding finish while allowing the natural grain to show through. Fill the cubbies with special keepsakes or thrifted decor items painted in your favourite Resene testpot shades and give small objects a starring role in your bedroom.
› View a step-by-step guide on how to make this cubed shelf.
top tip Resene Colorwood stains are available in small pots, which are perfect for smaller wood projects. Remember that higher-density timber won’t absorb liquid as readily as less-dense timber so the stain will look less intense. Check out the timber samples at your local Resene ColorShop or reseller.
Case closed
What's the one thing almost every overnight guest arrives with? A suitcase! So why not offer a thoughtful, stylish spot for it to land. A dedicated luggage bench or timber stand adds polish and practicality to your guest space and keeps the floor clutter-free. We’ve chosen wood for ours and whitewashed it in Resene Colorwood Whitewash for a minimalist Scandinavian effect that enhances the timber’s natural beauty.
› View a step-by-step guide on how to make this project.
top tip If you’re keen to get this project finished in a hurry, use Resene Aquaclear mixed with Resene Colour Enhance. You can apply this direct over an already-varnished finish without removing all the coating or directly to bare timber.
Colours mentioned in this article
Products mentioned in this article
Projects: Sarah Beedell, Ivan Moses
Styling: Megan Harrison-Turner, Pamela McIntosh
Images: Bryce Carleton
Words: Pamela McIntosh