How Should I Decorate a North-facing Room?
Follow this expert advice to help you harness the benefits of low light levels and create a cool, calming space
We often think of north-facing rooms as dark and cold, but instead of fighting these characteristics, embrace them, say our experts, and decorate in a way that will create a tranquil environment.
Professional advice from: Philippa Richard of Ace Your Space; Elizabeth Bee of Elizabeth Bee Interior Design; Claire Armstrong-Gautier of My Bespoke Room
Professional advice from: Philippa Richard of Ace Your Space; Elizabeth Bee of Elizabeth Bee Interior Design; Claire Armstrong-Gautier of My Bespoke Room
How does it affect the mood of the space?
“Indirect light is softer and more diffuse than the direct light in south-facing rooms, so there are no crisp shadows,” Philippa says. “The lack of sharp contrasts means that a north-facing room will have a natural calm about it.
“North-facing windows don’t attract any heat energy, so in winter they can feel cold, but in summer they have the advantage of having light without overheating,” she says.
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“Indirect light is softer and more diffuse than the direct light in south-facing rooms, so there are no crisp shadows,” Philippa says. “The lack of sharp contrasts means that a north-facing room will have a natural calm about it.
“North-facing windows don’t attract any heat energy, so in winter they can feel cold, but in summer they have the advantage of having light without overheating,” she says.
Need some help with your project? Find an interior designer in your area.
What happens to paint colours in a north-facing room?
We perceive colours differently depending on light levels, Philippa explains. This is known as the Purkinje effect, named after the Czech anatomist and physiologist, Jan Evangelista Purkyně.
“It means that how we process a colour’s brightness changes with the level of lighting,” she says. “In a north-facing room, where the light is dimmer, cool blue tones appear bluer and brighter, while reds and oranges move towards black.
“Using cooler colours can therefore work better at keeping a north-facing room feeling brighter,” she says. That doesn’t mean warmer tones won’t work in a north-facing room, though. “You can use them, but they’ll have a soft, gentle quality. Beiges will move towards a green tone rather than orange. So if you want drama, you need to use contrasting colours and textures.”
More: How to Pick the Perfect Paint Colours for Light-starved Spaces
We perceive colours differently depending on light levels, Philippa explains. This is known as the Purkinje effect, named after the Czech anatomist and physiologist, Jan Evangelista Purkyně.
“It means that how we process a colour’s brightness changes with the level of lighting,” she says. “In a north-facing room, where the light is dimmer, cool blue tones appear bluer and brighter, while reds and oranges move towards black.
“Using cooler colours can therefore work better at keeping a north-facing room feeling brighter,” she says. That doesn’t mean warmer tones won’t work in a north-facing room, though. “You can use them, but they’ll have a soft, gentle quality. Beiges will move towards a green tone rather than orange. So if you want drama, you need to use contrasting colours and textures.”
More: How to Pick the Perfect Paint Colours for Light-starved Spaces
How should I use artificial light?
Electric lighting can help to add cosiness to a cool space, Elizabeth Bee says. “Create soft lighting zones and consider illuminated cabinets,” she suggests.
“You might be limited on natural light in a north-facing room, but you can add plenty of ambient lighting,” Claire Armstrong-Gautier says. “Bring in wall lights, table lamps and floor lamps. A mix of these will create a soft, warm light in your room.”
The gentle, even tone of the light in a north-facing room can flatten features, Philippa explains. “Architectural features don’t show up through light and shade in the way they do in a south-facing room. You’ll need to emphasise the effect using colour to artificially create light and dark.”
More: How to Plan Lighting Into Your Renovation Project
Electric lighting can help to add cosiness to a cool space, Elizabeth Bee says. “Create soft lighting zones and consider illuminated cabinets,” she suggests.
“You might be limited on natural light in a north-facing room, but you can add plenty of ambient lighting,” Claire Armstrong-Gautier says. “Bring in wall lights, table lamps and floor lamps. A mix of these will create a soft, warm light in your room.”
The gentle, even tone of the light in a north-facing room can flatten features, Philippa explains. “Architectural features don’t show up through light and shade in the way they do in a south-facing room. You’ll need to emphasise the effect using colour to artificially create light and dark.”
More: How to Plan Lighting Into Your Renovation Project
How do I dress windows without bringing light levels down further?
“One of the worst mistakes I see is curtains or blinds obscuring windows,” Elizabeth says. “With curtains, try to have a curtain pole or track that’s long enough to stack the curtains back fully from the windows, so as not to obscure any light.
“Mount Roman blinds on the wall above the window frame, instead of in the recess, to allow maximum light to come through.”
“One of the worst mistakes I see is curtains or blinds obscuring windows,” Elizabeth says. “With curtains, try to have a curtain pole or track that’s long enough to stack the curtains back fully from the windows, so as not to obscure any light.
“Mount Roman blinds on the wall above the window frame, instead of in the recess, to allow maximum light to come through.”
Are there accessories that can help boost light levels?
Where appropriate, hang a mirror, Claire suggests. “Go for a good-sized one that will bounce around whatever light there might be. For the best results, hang or place it on the opposite wall from the window. If that’s not possible, any of the other walls will still help in a north-facing room,” she says.
Elizabeth adds, “Hanging an oversized mirror above a fireplace or repeating a feature mirror along a wall will create a stylish statement and improve the sense of space.”
Where appropriate, hang a mirror, Claire suggests. “Go for a good-sized one that will bounce around whatever light there might be. For the best results, hang or place it on the opposite wall from the window. If that’s not possible, any of the other walls will still help in a north-facing room,” she says.
Elizabeth adds, “Hanging an oversized mirror above a fireplace or repeating a feature mirror along a wall will create a stylish statement and improve the sense of space.”
What can I do to add interest to a naturally darker space?
Pattern is a great way to introduce drama where light levels don’t do the job, Claire says. “It can add enough interest to a dark room that the lack of natural light simply doesn’t matter.
“Wallpaper is the obvious solution, but what about murals?” she says. “There are some amazing designs around at the moment and they embrace pattern in a much larger sense, because they’re not restricted to a narrow roll size.”
Dark rooms don’t have to rule out houseplants, either, she says. “Indoor plants bring a vibrancy to interior spaces and you can still introduce them to north-facing rooms with their limited natural light. Just make sure you pick out varieties that are happy in shade, such as ferns, peace lilies and Kentia palms.”
Pattern is a great way to introduce drama where light levels don’t do the job, Claire says. “It can add enough interest to a dark room that the lack of natural light simply doesn’t matter.
“Wallpaper is the obvious solution, but what about murals?” she says. “There are some amazing designs around at the moment and they embrace pattern in a much larger sense, because they’re not restricted to a narrow roll size.”
Dark rooms don’t have to rule out houseplants, either, she says. “Indoor plants bring a vibrancy to interior spaces and you can still introduce them to north-facing rooms with their limited natural light. Just make sure you pick out varieties that are happy in shade, such as ferns, peace lilies and Kentia palms.”
Do low light levels mean I have to decorate in pale shades?
“Although north-facing rooms come in all shapes and sizes, with small or large windows and low or high ceilings,” Claire says, “as a general rule, you can expect them to be darker than the other rooms in a house. The obvious choice is to go light with the decorating to try to combat this.”
Philippa agrees. “Because the north light is less intense, paler shades will make the most of the light,” she says.
“Although north-facing rooms come in all shapes and sizes, with small or large windows and low or high ceilings,” Claire says, “as a general rule, you can expect them to be darker than the other rooms in a house. The obvious choice is to go light with the decorating to try to combat this.”
Philippa agrees. “Because the north light is less intense, paler shades will make the most of the light,” she says.
What other options are there?
“Rooms with little natural light can feel cold and gloomy,” Elizabeth says, “but that doesn’t mean you need to be restricted to pale furniture and décor. By using clever mood lighting around the room and comfortable furniture, you can make a dark room feel dramatic and cosy.”
“In some north-facing rooms, I like to embrace the darkness and create a space that feels snug and elegant,” Claire says. “This can really pay off, creating warmth, depth and interest.
“But it’s important to think about how you want to add colour,” she continues. “If you prefer your space to stay flexible, try a warm, deep grey on the walls to create impact, and use accessories to add as much or as little colour as you like. This is a safe option, as you can simply change your colour scheme by swapping accessories without the need to repaint.
“I love using deep blues and greens in north-facing rooms,” she says. “They add character while also acting as great base colours for a variety of schemes, from navy and mustard to blush, blue and green. And you can easily tailor this approach to your own preferences.”
Tell us…
Which decorating scheme has worked in your north-facing room? Share your tips in the Comments.
“Rooms with little natural light can feel cold and gloomy,” Elizabeth says, “but that doesn’t mean you need to be restricted to pale furniture and décor. By using clever mood lighting around the room and comfortable furniture, you can make a dark room feel dramatic and cosy.”
“In some north-facing rooms, I like to embrace the darkness and create a space that feels snug and elegant,” Claire says. “This can really pay off, creating warmth, depth and interest.
“But it’s important to think about how you want to add colour,” she continues. “If you prefer your space to stay flexible, try a warm, deep grey on the walls to create impact, and use accessories to add as much or as little colour as you like. This is a safe option, as you can simply change your colour scheme by swapping accessories without the need to repaint.
“I love using deep blues and greens in north-facing rooms,” she says. “They add character while also acting as great base colours for a variety of schemes, from navy and mustard to blush, blue and green. And you can easily tailor this approach to your own preferences.”
Tell us…
Which decorating scheme has worked in your north-facing room? Share your tips in the Comments.
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“North-facing rooms have reflected rather than direct natural light,” Philippa Richard says. The light that comes in through the window will be affected by what has already been absorbed outside the window.
“If there are grey surfaces and green plants nearby, the light coming in will have cooler, rather than warmer, light wavelengths. A blue object will have absorbed the red and green wavelengths,” she says.
“If the window is next to an outside wall with yellow or red-toned bricks or stone,” she continues, “the colour coming into the room will be more warm-toned.”