100 paint colours for north-facing rooms

North-facing rooms can be tricky spaces to decorate. The lack of direct sunlight can often make them feel a little gloomy and unwelcoming. But the good news is by using the right paint colours you can help warm things up so you have a more cosy starting point for building the rest of your scheme.

First things first, let’s understand what is and isn’t happening in your north-facing space, so at least you know what you are up against!

Characteristics of your North-facing space

1. Your room receives no direct sunlight shining in through the windows.
2. The natural light the room does receive is reflected light, which can appear flat, grey and cool.
3. The room can feel physically cooler than other rooms in the home.
4. You don’t benefit from the rising or setting sun so your room may lack atmosphere.
5. The natural light levels are fairly consistent throughout the day (not always a bad thing).

Download the full list of my 100 recommended paint colours here.

100 paint colours for North-facing rooms

Off-whites and pale neutrals

If you want your room to feel as large as possible then it’s best to go with whites or pale neutrals. These colours will help reflect the limited natural light you do get into the space. However, we must get the right undertones in these kinds of colours to create the warmth we need to counteract the naturally cooler feeling of the space. 

Look for whites and neutrals that have warmer undertones, so any colours that are derived from brown, red, pink, yellow or orange. These are the warm colours of the spectrum and are your best friend when it comes to decorating your north-facing rooms. Think of neutrals like taupe, sand, beige, stone and clay these will all have a warm, earthy quality that will make your space feel cosy.

Download the full list of my 100 recommended paint colours here.

100 paint colours for North-facing rooms

Darks

One of the best ways to decorate a north-facing space is to lean into the natural qualities of the space and go for a darker colour. It may feel counter-intuitive at first but darker colours can actually elevate your space and make it feel oh so cosy. Look at colours like chocolate browns, deep inky greens and blues or deep aubergine and plum. 

Darker colours will make your room appear smaller and they will absorb the natural light, BUT the big win is they will create an enveloping, calming and cocooning space that you only achieve with these impactful shades. This tactic is ideal for spaces that are individual rooms, rather than large open-place areas. If you go down this route then make sure you pay special attention to your lighting. You will need soft, layered lighting that you can easily achieve from multiple floor lamps, table lamps, wall lights, picture lights, and uplighters. But if you are a one-ceiling pendant-in-the-middle-of-the-ceiling kind of person then I’d probably stick with a white or pale neutral to avoid cave-like vibes. 

Download the full list of my 100 recommended paint colours here.

100 paint colours for North-facing rooms

Red / Orange / Yellow / Pink

If you are looking for more than a white or neutral, but aren’t feeling ready to commit to a dark colour, then you can of course pick something in between. A pastel or mid-toned colour that has a bit of oomph but isn’t too dramatic. In this case, I would recommend something from the warmer end of the spectrum. Look at lovely soft pinks, particularly with brown undertones which are gorgeous and very easy to live with. Consider dirty yellow shades and burnt oranges that have a good dose of black in them. And of course, red is a very warm colour, perfect for sociable spaces such as dining rooms and kitchens. 

Download the full list of my 100 recommended paint colours here.

100 paint colours for North-facing rooms

Avoid these…

In a north-facing space, there are some key colours we want to avoid, and these are those cooler colours that are not going to do anything to make your space feel more welcoming. The first absolute no-no is Pure Brilliant White, avoid this at all costs. This paint has artificial brighteners which have a blueish hue which is not a very friendly colour. 

Next up is any off-white or neutral with a blue undertone, these colours are generally very popular as they create an open and airy vibe when used in sunny spots, but in your north-facing space they will bring an extra chill to the room. 

Then finally there are pale blues, again these are great for naturally light and airy spaces but are not going to bring the cosy feels to your north-facing room. 

100 paint colours for North-facing rooms

Test your colour

The only way to ever know if a colour is right for you and your space is to try it in your home. Make sure you always get a tester and try not to paint it straight onto your wall. Instead, paint it onto a larger piece of lining paper so you can move it around the room and see how it appears on different walls, each wall will receive different levels of natural light which will affect how you perceive the colour. 

Let me help you..

I’d love to help you on your journey to finding the perfect paint colours for you and your home. I offer online design consultations where we can discuss any elements of your project that you would like support with, you can find more details and book the service here. Or if you have any questions about whether or not it’s the right service for you you can book a free discovery call with me here. 

And I also offer ready-made whole-home colour palettes which you can download instantly! These are perfectly curated palettes to create a harmonious flow of colours throughout your home. 

Have any questions?

Drop me a comment below or send me an email, I’d love to help you 😊

Sarah x