Best paint colours for north-facing rooms
Before embarking on painting any room, no matter the direction, be sure to always consider these key questions:
Who uses the space and how do they want to feel in the space? Thinking about who uses a room the most – home-workers, children, grandparents - and how they want to feel in the space – focussed, energised or relaxed for example - are key considerations to ensure the colours your chose create the right ambience.
Then think about what time of day the space is most used. Is it used for breakfast and then everyone leaves the house for the day? Or perhaps it’s the late afternoon sun that draws people into the room.
And, mostly importantly -
Direction, direction, direction?! Which way does the room face? Because yes, it matters! Here’s why:
A north-facing room gets virtually no sunlight so the room can feel cool and blue toned. Unlike rooms that face south, east & west, the light in a north-facing room is pretty consistent and will not change as the day wears on. As a result, north-facing rooms can often feel a bit gloomy.
So does that mean that ever-popular greys and blues are a no-no in a north-facing room? And are darker colours out?
Well, no it doesn’t & no they are not – it’s all about getting the undertones right.
Lean into colours with blue, grey or purple undertones in a north-facing room and you will have a space that feels stark and drab.
But if you chose greys or blues with yellow, pink, red or brown undertones the space will feel warmer and more welcoming.
The same goes for greens too – choose a green with a soft pink or yellow undertone.
To help brighten the naturally cool light of a north facing room, warm yellows, reds & oranges are all your friends & blush shades, in a bedroom, can work particularly well.
And what of neutrals & whites? Well again, these can most certainly be used in north-facing rooms but opt for yellow and pink undertones which will help warm the space while keeping it light and airy.
I hope this has been helpful, but if you are looking for more advice on the perfect paint colours for your home, check out my colour consultancy service The Colour Edit.