They call it cubby love

From the Resene colour inspiration – latest looks gallery

These cool coloured block striped cubbies are a fun way to bring order to the after school dumping ground.

One thing you don’t get properly warned about when having kids is just quite how much stuff they come with. Raincoats, sports gear, scooters, swimming kits, instruments, book bags and more. There’s an awful lot of child related gear and most of it needs to be kept close to hand so you can grab it as you’re heading out the door. This block striped mudroom with personalised cubbies, is a fun and colourful way to introduce some order to the before and after school dumping ground.

Freestanding storage units take up a lot of space and are often so rammed full of stuff it’s almost impossible to find what you’re looking for in a pinch. Instead try a colourful block stripe design on an entrance wall to clearly delineate a storage area for each child. Installing open shelved cubbies in matching colours is a clever way to make use of otherwise unused wall space and ensure you can easily see what’s on hand or more importantly what should actually be in their school bags.

The block stripes are painted with Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen, meaning they also work as a wipeable chalkboard. Write names, notes or reminders, or let your kids get creative decorating their space with white or coloured chalks. Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen can be tinted to the colour of your choice, however, mid toned and deeper colours work best for chalkboard walls so that it’s easier to see your writing and artwork.

We’ve used Resene Cello, Resene Enigma and Resene Quarter Denim Blue for the colour blocked stripes and cubbies. These grey-toned shades keep what is a busy space calm. A combination of Resene Escapade, Resene Hendrix and Resene Ivanhoe would work too. Alternatively, you could paint each block stripe in more contrasting colours – such as Resene Can Can, Resene Trinidad and Resene Carpe Diem – for a striking look. Create the opposite of this look on dark walls by using whites and light neutrals for your colour block, or ask your kids what colours they’d like for something more personalised. The floor is in Resene Mountain Mist, a soft grey that picks up on those grey undertones and the walls are Resene Rice Cake, a starchy, sharp white, to keep this high-traffic area feeling clean. Resene Nocturnal, a deep grey black, makes a statement on the hardworking coat rack and complements the three cool hues beside it.

Top tip

Carefully measure the space between each colour block and use high-quality masking tape to demarcate where you want your box stripes. Given that chalkboard walls need a smooth surface for the chalk to work best, remember to check that the surface you have in mind is relatively bump-free. With these steps, you’ll have an effective, evenly spaced look with perfect lines every time, whether you’re applying your paint by brush, spray or roller.

Make the space work for the kids by installing their coat pegs and cubbies at an easily accessible height. This not only creates an unfussy look but encourages the kids to take ownership of their space. As well as the cubbies, the coat hooks are painted in the matching colours of Resene Cello, Resene Enigma and Resene Quarter New Denim Blue, keeping everything looking streamlined. Introducing natural textures such as the woven rug and having those bright accessories on display will introduce a touch of organic warmth back into the space.

Project by Annick Larkin. Images by Bryce Carleton. 2021