Choosing Paint Colours for a North-Facing Room: Our Top Tips

Did you know that the direction a room faces can have a dramatic effect on how colours appear? In this article, we will guide you through some tips and tricks for choosing paint colours for a north-facing room.

How Does Light Affect Colour in North-Facing Rooms?

North-facing spaces typically receive reflected light rather than direct sunshine. As a result of this, north-facing rooms tend to be darker and the light brings out the cooler tones (e.g. greys, blues, greens) within a colour. One of the great advantages of a north-facing room is that it will not have intense shadows and this effect creates a sense of stillness and tranquillity.

Our Top Tips for Painting A North-Facing Room

Tip #1: Use Warm Whites

Using warm whites with yellow or red undertones can help to bounce light around a north-facing room and counteract the coolness. The warming and cheerful nature of these colours can make the room feel brighter and airier. You can further enhance the effect of bouncing light by hanging a large mirror on the wall opposite the window.

“Some of my favourite warming whites for north-facing rooms include ‘DH Linen’ from Dulux Heritage, ‘Cancun’ from Ralston, and ‘White Tie No. 2022’ from Farrow & Ball.” ~ Arunima Dutta, Colour Consultant at Pat McDonnell Paints, Blanchardstown

Tip #2: Inject Pops of Colour

Consider adding pops of colour as accent pieces to add interest and vibrancy to the room. Select colours with a bit of warmth in them such as golden yellows, deep jewel tones, or plummy purples to create a stunning contrast against the cool light.

“A sample palette for a north-facing room could be a warm white such as ‘Roman White’, a warm-neutral like ‘Biscuit Beige’ and a deep, warm accent colour such as ‘Florentine Red’ (all colours from Dulux Heritage).” ~ Anne Curtin, Colour Consultant at Pat McDonnell Paints, Galway

Tip #3: Test, Test, Test!

Every space is different and there are many factors that will affect how a colour will appear. With that in mind, it's always a good idea to test sample colours to see how they appear under your lighting conditions before committing to a colour scheme.

Tip #4: Go to the Dark Side

While it might seem counter-intuitive, one great option is to simply embrace the darkness. You can use dark colours such as 'Templar Grey’ from Colourtrend, ‘Dark Aubergine’ from Dulux Heritage or ‘Tanner’s Brown No. 255’ from Farrow & Ball to create a cosy, cocooning feel. Use soft furnishings in neutral colours and soft, low lighting to offset the darkness.

Tip #5: Consider Room Flow

“If you have a north-facing sitting room, I suggest using a paler version of the colour used in the hall as this will create a nice flow from room to room. What could work very nicely is Ralston ‘Olive Leaf’ on the walls, Dulux Heritage ‘Alabaster White’ on the trim, and a beautiful wallpaper (see the image for a lovely example from Sandberg). You could also add a large mirror on the wall located opposite window to bounce light!” ~ Fiona Fennelly, Colour Consultant at Pat McDonnell Paints, Kilkenny

Tip #6: Consult an Expert

Choosing colours may feel overwhelming when there are many factors to consider. For expert advice specific to your space, you may wish to enlist the support of a design and colour expert. At Pat McDonnell Paints, we offer a Free Colour Consultancy Service. Our colour consultants will help you to devise a palette that will bring out the best in your space.