The Best Colour to Paint a North Facing Room
Left to right: Bancha, Calamine, Inchyra Blue, India Yellow (all by Farrow & Ball)
North facing rooms are a challenge in every home. They are typically dull and drab and the neutral tone paint that you’ve used in the rest of the house just doesn’t seem to work in here either. A question I get asked at almost every client encounter is ‘What colour can I paint my north facing room to make it feel brighter?’
My answer will depend mostly on what the room is used for. If it’s a living room that is used mostly at the end of the day, my advice is to go dark and moody. Sometimes leaning into a rooms ‘flaw’ is the best way to make it work. Making this space dark and moody will 1) make any light that does come into the room during the day feel extra bright, and 2) make it cosier in the evening which is when it’s in use anyway. Similarly, in a north facing bedroom which is typically in use in the evening, dark paint can make a cosy statement.
If it’s a north facing kitchen, we need to bring in some brightness as this space requires good visibility. Consider a bold colour on cabinetry with bright walls. Think yellow blues or yellow greens, even pink or yellows! If a bold colour is a no-no, consider a moody tone on cabinetry but make sure it has a warm undertone. Keep walls bright and light to add contrast, and consider the other elements where you can add warmth (handles, light fixtures, countertop colours, barstools etc.) You will also need to consider your task lighting carefully to make sure you have good visibility in your workspace.
If going dark or adding colour is absolutely not your thing, by all means go for a warm neutral, but carefully consider all the other elements in the room to bring in warmth. Because this room gets no direct sunlight, the shadows that are cast appear grey. For this reason, avoid grey or grey undertones in north facing rooms; grey paint, grey furniture, and even silvery metals will make it feel dull and cold. Instead choose warm neutrals, warm woods such as oak or a warm walnut, brassy golds, and add a pop of colour. If brassy golds are not your thing, choose nickel finishes which are warmer than chrome. Avoid tiled flooring in this space as its typically cold and opt for warm coloured wood or laminate flooring instead. Another trick widely suggested to brighten a dark room is to use mirrors to reflect light back into the room. Again, I feel this trick isn’t as effective in north facing rooms as the quality of the light you’re reflecting just isn’t there, however when used in combination with some of the above, mirrors will have an impact.
In summary, I believe the warmest neutral and the whitest white still won’t brighten up a north facing room. These rooms require a little more consideration than any other room in the house so that it doesn’t fall flat and feel cold. Get creative in this space and don’t be afraid to add colour!
