Marcus Chen
When it comes to painting a room, the direction it faces is an important consideration, as natural light can drastically alter how a colour appears. North-facing rooms, for example, are known for their lack of sunlight, resulting in a darker and
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Cool, blue-grey tones, less sunlight, darker and cooler light |
| Paint colours | Yellow, red, pink, brown, terracotta, orange, blue, grey, white |
| Lighting considerations | Size of windows, time of year, artificial lighting |
| Paint colour considerations | Undertones, brightness, warmth, coolness, seasonality |
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What You'll Learn
- North-facing rooms tend to get less light, so colours with warm undertones can help to create a cosy feel
- Yellow and red undertones will warm things up and won't look too creamy
- White paint often doesn't have the brightening effect desired in north-facing rooms
- West-facing rooms have cooler light in the morning and brighter light in the afternoon
- For rooms with both north and west-facing windows, consider paint colours for north-facing rooms first, as they should also satisfy west-facing light
North-facing rooms tend to get less light, so colours with warm undertones can help to create a cosy feel
North-facing rooms receive the least amount of natural light throughout the day, resulting in a darker and cooler atmosphere. This can make colours appear darker and duller, and even off-whites can look flat and dingy. To counter this, colours with warm undertones can be used to create a cosy feel.
When choosing a paint colour for a north-facing room, it is important to consider the undertones. Colours with yellow, red, or pink undertones can warm up the space and won't look too creamy in the northern light. For example, Farrow and Ball's White Tie No. 2002 has yellow undertones that will envelop the room in gentle warmth. Similarly, Paint and Paper Library's Aeoli is a yellow shade with a warm and fresh feel.
If you prefer a lighter shade, opt for colours with warm undertones of yellow, pink, or brown. These shades will add depth and cosiness to your north-facing room. For instance, Little Greene's Slaked Lime 105 is a warm and soft neutral shade with mellow taupe tones, perfect for avoiding a gloomy feel.
For those who want to embrace the darkness of a north-facing room, consider using deeper shades like Earthborn Flowerpot, a warm terracotta that adds a Mediterranean feel. Another option is Little Greene's Air Force Blue 260, a rich and intense blue that adds warmth to the room when all walls are painted the same colour.
Additionally, the lighting conditions in a room can be altered by using artificial lighting to create a warmer or cooler ambience, depending on the desired atmosphere. Testing paint samples under different lighting conditions is recommended to ensure the chosen colour complements the unique lighting of the space.
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Yellow and red undertones will warm things up and won't look too creamy
When choosing a paint colour, it is important to consider the direction of the room, as the amount and direction of light entering it can alter the appearance of a colour. North-facing rooms tend to get consistent light throughout the day, but it is usually a darker and cooler light. This can make colours appear darker and duller, and even off-whites can look flat and dingy.
Yellow and red undertones will warm up north-facing rooms and won't look too creamy in the northern light. Farrow and Ball's White Tie No. 2002, for example, is a white with yellow undertones that will envelop the room in gentle warmth. Similarly, Paint and Paper Library's Aeoli is a yellow with abundant warmth that remains fresh. These lighter shades have warm undertones of yellow, pink and brown, adding depth and cosiness to a north-facing room.
For a north-facing room, you could also consider a paint colour with the right amount of warm and cool undertones, depending on its brightness. A clean, fresh white paint with a hint of yellow can counterbalance the coolness of the northern exposure. Colours with hints of golden earth and soft sand add a grounded sensibility and an overall warm ambience.
If you want to embrace the darker and cooler light of a north-facing room, you could opt for darker wall colours such as Farrow and Ball's Railings or Down Pipe, which create a cosy, cocooning feel.
A room with both north and west-facing windows will have a grey light with cool undertones, which is consistent throughout the day. In the morning, this will be joined by an additional flat light, and in the afternoon, it can be balanced by warmer western rays. So, if your north-west-facing room has smaller northern windows, you could focus on paint colours for north-facing rooms, as they should also suit the western light.
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White paint often doesn't have the brightening effect desired in north-facing rooms
North-facing rooms tend to receive less sunlight, resulting in darker and cooler light. This can cause colours to appear darker and duller, with off-whites looking flat and dull. As a result, white paint often doesn't have the brightening effect desired in north-facing rooms. This is because white paint can only reflect the cold light that enters the room, making the space appear colder.
When choosing a paint colour for a north-facing room, it is important to consider the type of light it receives. Northern light tends to bring out the cooler tones within a colour, so it is best to avoid colours with blue or grey bases. Instead, opt for colours with warm undertones to balance the cool light.
To brighten a north-facing room, consider using colours with yellow, peachy pink, or orange-tinged hues. These colours will help to bounce light around the room and create a warm and inviting space. Colours like Hawthorne Yellow, Palladian Blue, and Potters Clay are great options for adding warmth.
If you prefer a neutral colour scheme, opt for warm neutrals with soft yellow or golden undertones. Colours like Bleeker Beige can add a grounded sensibility and a warm ambience to the space. Alternatively, consider using a light colour with a hint of yellow, such as White Dove, to add brightness without the coldness of pure white.
Additionally, the size of the windows and the time of year can also impact the amount of light in a north-facing room. Testing paint samples at different times of the day and in both artificial and natural light can help you choose the right colour for your space.
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West-facing rooms have cooler light in the morning and brighter light in the afternoon
If the room is used in the afternoon, embrace the warm light with cool tones. Light Blue is a chameleon shade that subtly shifts between blue and silver depending on the light. If you want to lean into the warm light, deep, dark shades like Inchyra Blue or Hopper Head will create a cocooning, protective feel. For a west-facing bedroom or kitchen, a strong or radiant colour will make the most of the morning light.
It's always a good idea to test paint samples in situ and view them at different times of the day. This will ensure that you're happy with how the paint colour looks in the morning, afternoon, and evening light. You should also view paint samples in artificial light, especially if the room will be used in the evening or at night. Halogen and incandescent bulbs emit yellow light, making wall colours appear warmer, while cool white bulbs give off a bluer light, giving paint a cooler cast. A neutral white bulb will give you the truest representation of your chosen wall colour.
The direction of light entering a room can completely alter the appearance of a colour. North-facing rooms, for example, tend to get consistent light throughout the day, but it can be muted and toned down. Cool, blue-grey tones are popular for north-facing rooms, but you can balance the cool light with a fresh white paint that has a hint of yellow. Sunny yellows, peachy pinks, and orange-tinged hues will also bring warmth to a north-facing room.
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For rooms with both north and west-facing windows, consider paint colours for north-facing rooms first, as they should also satisfy west-facing light
When choosing a paint colour, it's important to consider the direction of the room, as the amount and direction of light entering a room can completely alter the appearance of a colour. North-facing rooms tend to get consistent light throughout the day, but it is usually a cooler, toned-down light that brings out the cooler tones within a colour. This means that colours will reflect more of the blue and grey undertones, and can make colours appear darker and duller. To counterbalance this, consider colours with warm undertones, such as yellow, red, or peachy pink. These colours will help to bounce as much light as possible around the room.
West-facing rooms have changing light throughout the day, with cooler light in the morning and brighter light in the afternoon. If your room has both north and west-facing windows, the northern light will be dominant, with the western light contributing a flat light in the morning and warmer rays in the afternoon. This means that the northern light should be considered first when choosing a paint colour.
When choosing a paint colour for a room with both north and west-facing windows, it's important to test the colours in situ, as the unique lighting conditions in your room may alter the appearance of the paint. Consider the size of the windows and any obstructions that may block the flow of natural light, as these factors will influence the amount of light entering the room.
To embrace the cooler light in a north-facing room, consider using darker wall colours such as blues or greys, which can create a cosy and intimate feel. Alternatively, if you prefer a lighter shade, opt for colours with warm undertones to add depth and cosiness to the room.
Some recommended paint colours for north-facing rooms include Farrow and Ball White Tie No. 2002, which has yellow undertones, Little Greene Slaked Lime 105, a warm and soft shade with taupe tones, and Earthborn Flowerpot, a warm terracotta colour. For a darker option, try Little Greene Air Force Blue 260, a rich and intense blue, or Paint and Paper Library Aeoli, a creamy yellow with warm undertones.
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Frequently asked questions
North-facing rooms receive the least amount of light throughout the day, and the light they do receive will be cool and blue-grey in tone. To make the room feel brighter, avoid white paint as this will only reflect the cold light that is available. Instead, opt for a paint with yellow or red undertones, which will warm up the room. Try Farrow and Ball's White Tie No 2002, which has yellow undertones, or Farrow and Ball's New White.
Embrace the cosy, moody atmosphere of a north-facing room with a darker colour. Farrow and Ball's Down Pipe or Railings will create a snug feel. Alternatively, opt for a warm terracotta colour, such as Earthborn Flowerpot, or a deep blue like Little Greene's Air Force Blue 260.
A north-west facing room will have a grey light with cool undertones, which will be joined by an additional flat light in the morning. To create a calming feel, opt for a neutral colour with cool, blue or green undertones. Try Farrow and Ball's Borrowed Light or Little Greene's Blue Ground.
