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8 Colors for North-Facing Rooms
Have a room with little sunlight? One of these vibrant, saturated paint colors will warm it up
I'm a Designer & Color Consultant specializing in interior and exterior color selection. I also create Design Plans for DIYers. I'd love to help you through my eDesign Service {and it doesn't matter where you live!}. Visit my blog at http://www.porterhousedesigns.com/colorsizzle.
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If you've ever painted a room that faces north, you may have noticed that the color didn't quite look like you expected, especially if you used a lighter hue. That's because north-facing rooms receive very little direct sunlight, if any. Also, the natural light that does stream into the space is often a cool, bluer light —not the warm sunny type. This can have a huge impact on color and literally leave your paint job in the shadows. With all of that, north-facing rooms can still be warm and inviting, if you're willing to use colors that are more saturated and vibrant.
8 Colors for South-Facing Rooms | More on choosing paint
8 Colors for South-Facing Rooms | More on choosing paint
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Using orange will bring a warm and a festive touch to a north-facing room. A crisp shade of orange makes a fun and unexpected color choice for a mud room or laundry room.
Try: Knockout Orange 6885 by Sherwin-Williams
Try: Knockout Orange 6885 by Sherwin-Williams
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| A shaded room will never win against yellow in its most saturated form. Look for a deep yellow that has gold and slightly green undertones for the biggest impact. Try: Funky Yellow 6913 by Sherwin-Williams |
| Periwinkle is considered a cool color, but its purplish undertones add just enough warmth to make it work in a room with very little sunlight. It's also a good idea to pair cooler hues with warm finishes, such as the hardwood flooring in this space. Try: Anemone 590B-4 by Behr |
| With its warm, garden green wall color and hot pink fabric, this girl's room has energy and excitement. A punchy color combo is the perfect solution for a room that doesn't get a direct hit from the sun's yellow rays. Try: Hidden Meadow 410B-5 by Behr |
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| Chartreuse is a bold color choice, but in a shadowy space, it is tempered enough to not look so overwhelming. Try: Nervy Hue 6917 by Sherwin-Williams |
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| A peach color echoes a beautiful sunrise and will add a natural warmth to your north-facing room. Try: Funky Fruit 2015-50 by Benjamin Moore |
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| Using fuchsia can be frightening, but if you love pink, it's best to use a vibrant tone in rooms with very little sunlight. Pairing pink with black and white creates a very glam look. Try: Hot Lips 2077-30 by Benjamin Moore |
What if your favorite color is blue? Can you still use it in a north-facing room drenched in cooler sunlight? Yes you can! Just keep in mind that muted, soft blues may turn out looking dull or gray. Choose a warm, mid-tone blue that's more vibrant than what you may be used to.
Try: Rocky Mountain Sky 2066-40 by Benjamin Moore
More: Beyond the White Ceiling: Using Color Above
More Color: Yes You Can!
8 Colors for South-Facing Rooms
More on choosing paint
Try: Rocky Mountain Sky 2066-40 by Benjamin Moore
More: Beyond the White Ceiling: Using Color Above
More Color: Yes You Can!
8 Colors for South-Facing Rooms
More on choosing paint
Comments
scarbowcow Hooray! I've been hoping someone would write an ideabook about choosing colors for rooms with different kinds of light. Wonderful! Will you be doing any more? Rooms facing due south? Rooms with only morning or late afternoon light?
16 months ago · Like
Jamie Jay Basically you want bright colors for darker rooms and cooler tones for bright sunny rooms.
16 months ago · Like
nancypeterson10 the Funky Fruit dining room is just peachy(couldn't resist). the shutters just make it!
16 months ago · Like
jacalyna I live in Florida where any room ,north or not it's hot,so I chose a soft periwinkle blue for my dinning room which faces north. A cool retreat any time of year.
16 months ago · Like
carolineve I've been looking for a paint color for my formal living room, but can't bring myself to go with colors as bright as the ones in this idea book. What color options do you suggest for those of us who like a more subtle color palette (but don't like peach)?
16 months ago · Like
clairemcf Funny, where I live (Western Australia) the north facing rooms are the best rooms of the house! Best, softest, warmest light! However, when we moved house I painted my daughters new south facing room the exact colour of her old north facing room and got a very big shock at how different it looked! Even the painters called me in and said 'are you sure about this?' What was a light and cheery yellow in the old house turned overly bright and iridescent in the darker room. We cut the paint down to a quarter strength and it still looks stronger to me.
16 months ago · Like
Design Freedom, inc. colorful paint is fantastic! i chose wonderful bright and fun colors for my house. i have never regretted them.
16 months ago · Like
PaintColorHelp.com Dallas Carolineve, try a more muted, golden version of yellow - assuming that works with your decor. Or a very pale yellow, almost cream. Either one will replicate the feeling of sunlight in northern rooms. Ben Moore's Putnam Ivory, Sherwin Williams Jersey Cream or Compatible Cream are a few you might look at.
16 months ago · Like
lele smythe How about some color suggestions for rooms with NO natural light?
16 months ago · Like
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Yvonne McNees Love,love the girls room with the lime green walls!!!!!!
16 months ago · Like
woofwoof We used Benjamin Moore's "Lancaster White" in our living room and all adjoining hallways. A lovely warm creamy color with a hint of yellow, but still very neutral. We have a traditional style house with colonial windows, white trim and ceilings and dark hardwood floors.
16 months ago · Like
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jasmineaubert always heard, that northern lights are true light - on the other hand, same rule applies for face make up application -
16 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 29, 2012.
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