Choosing the right paint color involves several factors, such as your room’s design, furniture, and lighting. It’s crucial to consider the direction your room faces, especially if there’s ample natural light from windows. While some colors work universally, understanding how geography and room orientation impact color choices is beneficial. Check out our guide for selecting paint colors for rooms with lots of natural light, whether it face north, east, south, or west.
North-Facing Rooms
Rooms facing north are usually cool because they get indirect sunlight, making them feel chilly even on sunny days. When picking colors for these rooms, steer clear of shades with gray, blue, green, or lavender undertones, as well as stark white, as they can make the space look dull and unwelcoming. Instead, opt for warm colors to create a balanced and inviting atmosphere. Here are some paint colors that work well for north-facing rooms.
Paint Colors for Northern Bright Rooms
Even if your room faces north, it can still get plenty of natural light if it has lots of windows. These rooms often have consistent sunlight throughout the day. For well-lit north-facing rooms, pick neutral shades like off-white with a buttery undertone. This color acts as a great neutral option, resembling cream without any dull gray tones or overly warm tan shades. It brightens up the room and adds warmth, even in shadowed areas.
Northern Rooms with Fewer Windows
In some houses, rooms facing north might feel a bit dark, especially if there’s only one window. But don’t worry, you can still pick bold paint colors for these rooms! They work well for accent walls or rooms that need a pop of vibrant color, like a rich, deep red. Just like with red lipstick, remember not to overdo it—a little goes a long way!
Tips for Northern Facing Rooms
Choosing colors for north-facing rooms can be simple: stick to warm tones and avoid gray, green, or lavender undertones for a cozy and inviting atmosphere, regardless of the weather. The way light moves through your house throughout the day greatly affects how your paint colors appear and the feelings they evoke. This is especially noticeable in rooms that start brightly lit in the morning and gradually darken. With the right colors, you can maintain a sense of motivation, energy, and positivity throughout the day.
East-Facing Rooms
As sunlight moves through a room during the day, the colors can change. If your room faces east and gets bright, cool morning light, choose clear and sunny colors that look good both in the morning and evening. Here are some paint colors we recommend for east-facing, sunny rooms.
Paint Colors for Eastern Sunny Rooms
If your room faces east and has many windows letting in plenty of sunlight, some paint colors are better choices than others. Light and neutral colors are often great for sunny eastern rooms. For example, blue looks vibrant in the morning sunlight, especially when paired with bright white trim for a classic look. Keep in mind that east-facing rooms may have blue or green undertones, so it’s wise to consider this when choosing colors, especially neutrals. For instance, a kitchen painted in a light shade of gray will stay fresh-looking regardless of the light.
Eastern Rooms with Fewer Windows
If your room faces east and has only one or a few small windows, it’s important to create a balanced look with bright colors and matching accessories. A balanced room feels calming and enjoyable, regardless of how much sunlight enters through the windows. We suggest starting with paints in violet, green, or blue tones because they look fresh and lively in the morning sunlight and remain pretty as the afternoon gets darker. Just like adding colorful pink pillows, using warm accessories can help keep the room looking balanced in terms of color all day long.
Tips for Eastern Facing Rooms
When testing paint colors for your room, try painting a few big test patches—one near a window and another away from it—to see how the color changes over time. Use these color tips to confidently paint your east-facing room, knowing it’ll look great all day. Let your room’s style guide your paint choices, whether you have a specific design scheme in mind or want to match a particular era with your furnishings. With paint, you can enhance your space’s existing features or completely transform the room.
Southern Facing Rooms
South-facing rooms are popular because they get lots of sunlight, making them warm and cozy. But picking the right paint colors for these sunny rooms can be tricky. The sunlight brings out the warm undertones of many colors, which is cool, but it also creates a challenge. These rooms experience more changes in natural light throughout the day, so a paint color that seems perfect at noon might look different in the morning or evening.
Southern Rooms with Plenty of Exposure
If your room faces south and has lots of windows, it’s best to steer clear of bright paint colors, as they might look too intense when the sun shines through. Similarly, colors like yellow, orange, and gold-tinted creams can make the room feel overly warm. Tons of professional painters have found success with light grays that have blue undertones, as they help balance out the warmth without making the room feel too cold. For example, a subtle blue-green undertone is great for creating a soothing atmosphere in bedrooms.
Southern Rooms with Fewer Windows
It’s simpler to use bold paint colors in south-facing rooms with fewer windows. The light in these rooms tends to be cooler, but professional house painters assure that there’s still plenty of sunshine. So, using a bold color won’t make the space seem darker. For instance, a rich reddish-purple in a beautiful sitting room doesn’t make the room feel crowded because there’s enough light to balance it out. Even a moody purple-gray doesn’t appear too dark in a south-facing room.
Final Tips for Southern Facing Rooms
Southern-facing rooms are perfect for plants. If you enjoy having lots of greenery, remember that all those green plants will add to your room’s color palette. When moving from one room to another in your house, you can choose to keep a consistent color scheme or give each room its own special vibe. Adding a new paint color is an affordable way to do this. We’re here to assist you with color consultations and paint sampling to make all your rooms feel cozy and personalized.
West Facing Rooms
In rooms with natural light, the sunlight’s direction affects how colors look. For instance, north-facing rooms may seem gray because of the cool, indirect light, while those facing west might seem dull in the morning but have strong yellow tones in the afternoon. Since these afternoon tones can make warm colors look too much, think about cooler shades like green, light yellow, and cream instead.
Western Rooms with Exposure
Western rooms get plenty of natural light, especially in the warmer part of the day, especially if you have many windows. Many painting experts often suggest using light colors in western rooms with lots of sunlight to give the room character without making it feel too crowded. A light, clear green is a great choice because it makes the room bright in the morning and keeps it cool in the afternoon.
Western Rooms with Fewer Windows
Some western rooms might not have many windows, but you can still make them look great with the right paint color. For rooms where you want drama and coziness, like dining rooms, think about using beige or red-orange. Even though these colors might seem too bright elsewhere, the western sunlight will make them look softer. Also, picking a soft, luxurious white can make living rooms feel bigger and more open.
Final Tips for Western Facing Rooms
If you’re dealing with a room facing west and want to pick the perfect color to complement the sunlight, try one of these four options. Whether you prefer a neutral tone like white or a bold color like red-orange, you’ll appreciate how these shades brighten up your west-facing rooms.
Remember, the direction a room faces isn’t the only factor to consider; rooms facing any direction can have varying levels of sunlight. Instead of adding more windows, you can quickly and affordably transform your rooms with paint.
Choose the Best Natural Light Color for Your Rooms and Spaces
Ready to transform your rooms with the perfect paint colors? Consider the direction they face and the natural light they receive. Whether it’s north-, east-, south-, or west-facing, there’s a color palette to suit every space. From cozy neutrals to bold hues, you can create the perfect atmosphere by choosing the best paint colors for rooms with natural light.