How soft green (or aquamarine) is perfect for a calm bedroom

While I had all the painting stuff out to paint the living room aquamarine, it seemed rude not to introduce that soft green colour to the bedroom, too, especially when I saw how fresh and calming it felt on the walls. We’ve used it on the wall that used to be a pale, soft grey and it has definitely brightened up the room.

I bought an old battered wardrobe a few years ago at a house clearance warehouse with the intention of painting it, but it dropped to the bottom of our to-do list pretty quickly. Riding high on the enthusiasm for our new colour scheme, I bit the bullet and gave it the update it desperately needed (check my IG Stories collection ‘Home DIYs’ for what it looked like before).

I’m pretty sure this is against all decorating rules, but I basically mixed up a few paints myself to get this colour. I bought a can of Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint in ‘Duck Egg’, but it was too blue, so I mixed in some Annie Sloan ‘Antibes Green’ (the colour I’d originally planned to paint the wardrobe when I first bought it), and some dark blue matt emulsion from a tester pot I had in my paint stash.

I kept experimenting until I’d mixed up a mint shade which I’m pretty happy with. I liked it even more once it had dried and I added the trailing plant, as it looks great next to the green foliage. The baskets (including one of my Wicker and Weft faves) help soften the lines of the wardrobe, and give the room a more lived-in feel.

I also used my chalk paint mix to paint a little bedside table we brought home from a Brocantes warehouse in Brittany – having something that colour on the other side of the room creates more of a sense of balance.

The vintage bookcase that used to be next to the bed was great, but there isn’t a great deal of floor space between the bed and the wall, so I treated myself to a set of Pocket String shelves instead. Not only does this free up the floor, but it sits well with the Scandi-inspired feel that I’m going for throughout the house.

I’ve kept the shelf display simple, with my collection of earthenware pots (one of my best ever car boot buys) and some house plants.

And finally, I added an oak peg rail in an attempt to stop me piling stuff on a chair (or the floor) when I get ready for bed at night. I’m sure it won’t work, but it looks nice!

Eventually I’d like to mix in some colour on the bed, either with French blue or mint linen bedding, but my budget won’t stretch to that right now. The final purchase I’m planning soon (added to the Ikea shopping list for our next visit) is a wicker lampshade for the ceiling light.

It’s amazing how a few small changes can make such a big impact. The room feels completely refreshed – I love it.