Elena Rossi
When it comes to painting a room with a lot of light, there are several factors to consider, such as the direction the room faces, the desired atmosphere, and personal taste. Lighter colours tend to reflect light and make a space appear larger, while darker colours can absorb light and create a cozier environment. For north-facing rooms, warm colours like soft beige, buttery whites, and Dover White are popular choices as they brighten up the space without the sterility of pure white. East-facing rooms benefit from light and neutral colours like Sherwin-Williams Rainwashed, a soft blue-green that adds a refreshing feel. Yellow is a popular choice for rooms with a lot of natural light as it is highly reflective and creates a sunny and uplifting atmosphere. For those who want a bolder statement, orange and red can be considered, with Fired Brick by Sherwin-Williams adding warmth and drama to north-facing rooms. White remains a classic choice, with options like Benjamin Moore's Simply White offering a bright base with a touch of warmth. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference, and playing with different shades of white, greige, or pastel colours can help achieve the desired balance of warm and cool tones.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Room size | Lighter paint colors make a room look larger, darker colors make it look smaller |
| Color scheme | Take inspiration from the room's decor or furniture |
| Lighting | Lighter colors reflect light, darker colors absorb it |
| Direction the room faces | North-facing rooms are cool, avoid gray, blue, green, or lavender undertones |
| East-facing rooms get bright, cool morning light, use light and neutral colors | |
| For rooms with less natural light, use darker paint colors to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere | |
| For rooms with no natural light, consider colors with a higher LRV (light reflectance value) |
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What You'll Learn
North-facing rooms
When painting a north-facing room, it is important to consider the undertones in the paint colour. Yellow, orange, and red undertones will warm things up and won't look too creamy in the northern light. Yellow-based colours like Farrow and Ball's White Tie No 2002, Yellow Ground, New White, and Benjamin Moore's Hawthorne Yellow HC-4 will help to bounce as much light as possible around the room. If you want to add depth and cosiness to your north-facing room, try warm neutrals with committed warmth, such as Sherwin Williams' Row House Tan or Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue HC-144.
If you want to embrace the cooler light in your north-facing room, you can opt for darker wall colours such as Railings or Down Pipe, which will create a cosy, cocooning feel. A smoky green-grey like Sherwin Williams' Evergreen Fog can also look inviting, especially when paired with a warm colour like Benjamin Moore's White Dove.
It is always recommended to get a tester pot of paint before making a decision, as paint colours can look very different in the light of your home compared to the colour on a paint chart.
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East-facing rooms
To make an east-facing room feel brighter and more spacious, choose colours that complement the natural light the room receives. Steer away from pale colours, greys, or muted colours, as these can be washed out by the whiter midday light and feel dull and flat in the afternoons. Instead, opt for mid-tone shades that can balance the bright morning light and bring depth to the muted afternoons. Casa Blanca, a slightly brighter shade of cream, is a good option for adding a gentle, cheerful warmth to an east-facing room.
If you're looking for a neutral colour, yellow-based shades will help bounce light around the room. Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace OC-65, a crisp white, is another option that offers a bright contrast for dim eastern light. For a cosy, cocooning feel, try a deep, dark shade like Inchyra Blue or Hopper Head. If you're after something more colourful, Fernwood Green is a charming, warm green shade that will sit strong in the flat afternoon light.
It's worth noting that artificial lighting can also affect how colours appear. Halogen and incandescent bulbs emit yellow light, making wall colours appear warmer, while cool white bulbs give off a bluer light. To get the truest representation of your chosen wall colour, use a neutral white bulb, which most accurately replicates daylight.
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White paint
If you have a room with a lot of natural light, white is a classic and timeless choice. However, it's important to select the right shade of white to suit the space.
When choosing a white paint, consider the other elements in the room, such as the flooring. For example, a white with cool undertones may complement concrete flooring, while a white with warm undertones could pair well with hardwood floors. If you're unsure, a white with a hint of umber is a versatile option.
It's also crucial to consider the room's lighting conditions throughout the day. North-facing rooms tend to have indirect sunlight and can feel chilly, even on bright days. In such cases, it's best to avoid stark whites and opt for softer shades like Dover White, which has creamy undertones. On the other hand, east-facing rooms receive bright, cool morning light, so a clear and sunny white could work well.
Additionally, the size of the room matters. Lighter colours, like soft whites, can make a space feel more open and larger, while darker shades will create a cosier atmosphere.
When selecting the perfect white, it's recommended to test multiple shades by painting large swatches on the walls and observing them at different times of the day, as lighting can significantly impact the appearance of colour.
If you're working with an open floor plan, using a uniform shade of off-white as a base and then adding pops of colour through lighting, an accent wall, or furniture can be an excellent way to bring warmth and interest to the space.
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Yellow paint
Yellow is a versatile paint colour that can be used to create a bright, sunny space or a warm, cosy atmosphere. When selecting a yellow paint, it is important to consider the amount of natural light in the room, as well as the colours of other surface finishes like floors and furniture.
In rooms with a lot of natural light, yellow paint can be a great choice. Pale shades of yellow, in particular, can make a room appear brighter and larger, while richer, golden hues can add a cosy feel. To avoid overwhelming the space, opt for a yellow with a higher light reflective value (LRV) and consider pairing it with lighter shades or colours like blue or green. For example, Farrow & Ball's 'India Yellow' is a popular warm yellow shade, while 'Middle Buff' by Little Greene is a great option for kitchens.
If you have a lot of brown furniture, a warm yellow can be a great choice as it pairs well with antiques and darker finishes. For example, Papers and Paints' 'Imperial Chinese Yellow' is a bright shade that can set off beautifully with petrol-coloured curtains and floral cushions. On the other hand, if you're looking for a yellow that won't overpower the room, a very pale yellow like 'Babouche' by Farrow & Ball can provide a subtle, overall feeling of sunshine.
To create a cohesive look, consider using the same shade of yellow, but in different strengths, throughout the room. For example, using a hint of the wall colour on the ceiling can make the room feel more complete, as designer Marlaina suggests. Additionally, mixing up the hues and textures of other pieces in the room can help to avoid a monochromatic feel.
Overall, yellow paint can be a great choice for a room with a lot of light, but it's important to test different shades and consider the specific features of your space to find the perfect yellow for your needs.
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Blue paint
When choosing a light blue paint, it is important to consider the natural lighting in the room. The colour will look different in a north-facing room with indirect light compared to a room with southern exposure. It is also worth paying attention to undertones to get the desired effect. For example, red undertones will give light blue paint a hint of purple, while grey undertones will produce a more subtle neutral feel.
To create a breezy, coastal feel in a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room, a pale aqua shade of blue can be a great choice. This can be paired with whites, grey marble, and cool-toned silver finishes. For a more retro feel, a soft wash of blue-green, similar to seafoam green, can be easy to incorporate into any space.
For a room with less natural light, a darker shade of blue can be a good option. Shades like indigo or navy can act as neutrals while adding a hint of colour. These shades can be paired with lighter and darker shades to create a soothing contrast.
When selecting a paint colour, it is important to test the colour by painting a large swatch that can be moved around the room to see how the shade looks at different times of the day as the light changes.
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Frequently asked questions
Lighter colours are a good option for rooms with a lot of natural light, as they reflect light and make the space seem larger and brighter. Colours like off-white, light neutrals, pales, pastels, and beiges can help to create a bright and airy atmosphere. Warmer shades like buttery whites, Dover White, or Softer Tan can also be a good choice, especially for north-facing rooms, as they can add warmth without feeling sterile.
Colours with grey, blue, green, or lavender undertones may not be the best choice for north-facing rooms, as they can make the space feel chilly and uninviting. Stark white can also make a room feel cold, especially if it has minimal windows. For east-facing rooms that get bright morning light, avoid dark colours that will absorb light and make the space feel dimmer.
If you want to create a cozier atmosphere in a room with a lot of natural light, consider using darker paint colours. While lighter colours can make a room feel more spacious, darker shades can make it feel more intimate. You can also add pops of colour through lighting, an accent wall, or furniture to create a balance between light and dark.
