How to Pick Colors for NORTH FACING ROOMS

The direction of your lighting exposure can have a huge impact on how colors appear in your space. If you have ever struggled with north facing rooms, this is some paint color advice on how to handle northern exposures!
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[@kaybrown4010]

Our north facing office is sage green and our north facing bedroom is a deep pastel periwinkle. Both rooms are beautiful.

[@DCHL5260]

Losing my mind trying to select paint colors especially in my north facing living room I look forward to seeing your picks

[@ryeann2567]

How'd it turn out? What did you do?

[@susanmackey8514]

The tricky thing is that many rooms are dual aspect. For example, our northwest facing kitchen follows all the rules for northern exposure until about 3pm and then it is flooded with bright sunshine. Guess you just pick your time of day!

[@chuckmurray1825]

This is my situation. I really had a touch time but ended up choosing BM White Dove as my wall color and Ultra White for the trim. I works. It feel light and airy and warm at the same time. It's pleasant space to spend time in on a daily basis. It was your guidance that got me to that choice so thanks!

[@squalter.kaufmann]

Thanks! Lots of good info. I agree. North light is good light.

[@stefanijaharris7566]

Thanks for clarifying that for me. I've been contemplating painting a couple of my north facing rooms for quite a while. I definitely will opt for warmth.

[@shannonrevesz2136]

Thanks James! Love the info. Suggestions on greys, neutrals and off whites PLEASE.

[@jillanemckinney3358]

Thank you so much James for this excellent information!! 👍🏼😍

[@SometimeAgo65]

I love my Northern facing room! It's an all season sunroom with many windows... probably my favorite room in the house. It does need redecorating, so I definitely needed this video 😊❤️

[@thepaintpeople]

Happy to hear it Gina!

[@forwardlove9390]

Thank you so much for these videos! I did not have a problem with my north facing room. I simply went with the “if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em” idea.... however I did make sure to pick colors that didn’t go too ice cold. My real dilemma was with my East facing room and trying to find a perfect warm neutral off white. I went with Soft Chamois from BM, your video on Soft Chamois and your video on East facing rooms really helped me find this color. And I just Love It!

[@annecyle]

What color did you paint your north facing room?

[@bonita1228]

Thanks for the info. I am in SE Florida and my house faces north and sliding glass doors across the south side. I went with pale blue - Stillness by Valspar. My sister says it feels cool which to me is a relief in Florida heat.

[@tracydas2523]

We have a north facing living room, started off with a warm beige , then a mid blue and have finally landed on SW network gray with an LRV of 37 which sounds like it should be way too dark, but it isn’t for us. A lot of white accessories and some black too. This is definitely my favorite for our north facing room

[@marymann4126]

I had a north facing living room decorated in WIlliamsburg blue once. It was okay in the summer when the weather was warm, but in the winter we always felt cold in there no matter the temperature.

[@cindyburke-hynes9492]

Thank you, I've been waiting for you to do Northern Exposed rooms and you did not disappoint. 💙👏👏 I've decided to go to the dark side, both walls and ceiling and I'm thinking teal. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[@cathylehman7538]

James, digging the new hair style- very handsome!

[@ceecee8757]

Ikr!? He's always hiding his nice hair under that ball cap! 😆

[@thepaintpeople]

You're too kind! Thank goodness barber shops are opening soon! haha

[@naimahq8739]

@thepaintpeople Sir, what gorgeous color blue is that behind you!? I love how it seems to be a chameleon, mimicking the warmth from the color of the surrounding walls!

[@giovannaalvaro8132]

Really appreciate your tips.

[@lisacalhoun8080]

Yes!! I was hoping you’d make this video! Thank you! I wanted to do White Dove in my northern facing room to create an airy but cozy effect, but in the northern exposure, it fell flat...looked very gray/green in a depressing way. Now I’m opting for Dove Wing...hoping the warmth and saturation will balance the blue/gray light and create the illusion of what I had hoped White Dove would be. 🤞

[@susanmackey8514]

Were you successful?

[@lilakaye1505]

My sitting room/entrance area faces north but on the backside of it is the kitchen/dining area with southern light. I tried beige but it was bad with the floors, tried white, tried off white, tried gray, greige, but didn’t like any of them. So I painted the conjoined spaces a light spring/sage green that I loved but it got old quickly. Now it’s light blue with a splash of gray so it doesn’t look like a nursery. It’s dreamy. The color just fades into the background like an old school neutral. It looks great with various decor and the white trim. It’s feels alive during the day and cozy at night. It works with my blonde flooring and my cherry cabinets (no, I did not and would not choose that combo it’s just how my house came, Lol) I think doing it in a flat finish helps it recede. I never would have thought I’d enjoy blue walls but I do and I’ve had several compliments from others as well. If you have a north/south room you might want to give it a try.

[@dhrtiwalter8670]

I agree the green could get old quick. What color paint is light blue with the splash of gray you like so much?

[@Holistichart868]

Northwest please 💗

[@patriciac3151]

What to do with rooms that have dual exposures as well as large deciduous trees outside the window(s)? Very dark in the summer but bright in the winter when the leaves fall and the sun changes?? Help!

[@jf501]

What did you end up deciding? This is our issue

[@patriciac3151]

@@jf501 I haven't done anything yet, my husband got very sick and I became his caregiver. I am starting to think of painting again and have tested a few colors - so far BM Gray Mist is the best. I wish James would do a video on this issue.

[@dhrtiwalter8670]

I love north facing rooms!

[@anthonyaddo]

Very informative and useful video! Learned a lot.

[@isabellachebli2525]

Omg, the time lapse Portion shows my hometown Mannheim in Germany 😄. I love your videos even more now ❤

[@agresticumbra]

Ya, choosing a color for our north facing garage. It’s amazing how lovely BM Sea Froth is in there, but is a bit lighter than I want, and am not sure if sandlot grey is too deep. I’m finding our W facing bathroom, with one window in the bath area, is more of a challenge than the garage.

[@yvonnematthews9155]

Thank you for your videos, you are making my decisions easier in painting my entire house

[@thepaintpeople]

Oh that's so nice to hear Yvonne! Thank you so much!

[@Nickelini]

I have a true north facing bedroom (if the compass on my iPhone is accurate). I'm around the 49th parallel. For a month in summer, I actually get sunlight in my room that bounces off glass in the neighbourhood in the morning and evening. It's magical. Anyway, about 10 years ago I painted it a tobacco brown colour that is fabulous. Before that, it was a denim blue, and my décor was all blue and white. Everyone said "you must add a warm colour" but it just all came together and never looked cold. Probably helps that the oak floor had a warm tone.

[@Laurad419]

I just got samples of Benjamin Moore Simply White, White Dove and Swiss Coffee for my north facing room….then I watched this 🤷🏻‍♀️. Please give us your list very soon!

[@CaliVibez111]

I would love to watch the video on the colors for north and south facing rooms

[@naimahq8739]

@thepaintpeople Sir, what gorgeous color blue is that behind you!? I love how it mimics the warmth of the surrounding walls!

[@karenporter3156]

Great video. Right on about rooms with north facing exposure. But what about north exposure rooms when the neighbours brick house is a faded red (pink) and it is very close, and the east light reflects off of it and in through my window. Maybe just keep the blinds closed and use an alternate light source? lol.

[@dawncaruso2459]

Any tips for North East facing rooms? In the morning there is a lot of light and then it goes dark. Help!!!

[@lezorz]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@ogram46]

I was struggling with finding a decent paint color for a North facing room. I also had roofing hanging over other windows in non-North facing rooms. The house was a 2004 replica of a Craftsman style house. The original colors were gold and green flat paint. I hated it. Just months before selling the house, I had the entire house painted in Benjamin Moore’s Wind’s Breath. This off white covered the gold and green with one coat. The Wind’s Breath looked awesome. It doesn’t have pinkish or yellow undertones. It was some depth to it, but it was perfect in every room. Check out a sample.

[@chrystallmarshall5865]

First time home buyer that is overwhelmingly overwhelmed with picking any color for either of my rooms. From cabinets in a small outdated kitchen to wall color . I'm more confused now with the north south east west thing. I just want a color that is not grey but not too white and not dark because my rooms are small to average size. I love wrath tone colors and I have mostly grey and mahogany furniture. Lol pls helpppp!!!

[@doriswestfall7164]

Great! And I think you are pretty terrific. I am redoing my kitchen and family room which are north facing and will have van dusen blue for the lower cabinets and white dove for the uppers. Trying to figure out what color I should go with for the breakfast-family room.

[@madusonkeeper]

No Love cool!! And in florida can use the cool tone!

[@claudiakleid5637]

Please share your north facing colors soon. I have to make up my mind in a week. I was certain that Edgecomb Gray was the perfect color from my Samplize swatch, but the actual paint took on a blue undertone. I’ve decided it must be the wall’s texture that caused the paint to look different from the sample. I’m now leaning toward Ballet White, but from your video it may be one of those off whites. Ugh! 😩 By the way, I love your videos.

[@dianaf4924]

Years ago, I painted my north facing small bedroom a Sherwood Williams color called starry night (6540). It has worked remarkably well. It is a light blue with a lot of grey. Of course a bedroom facing north is easier than a room such as a living room.

[@marinaquintana7467]

Ditto! I hate picking colors and need to very soon.I’m leaning towards SW Repose Gray but am terrified of making a mistake.

[@ceecee8757]

@@marinaquintana7467 you can't go wrong with Repose Gray. It's one of Joanna Gaines' go-to colors.

[@Poppy-yx8js]

Tallow from Farrow & Ball = looks great in north facing rooms !

[@monicafranzo9378]

I recently painted small swatches in my north facing bedroom . I tied Beach Glass,Guilford Green ,and Pashmina . I was really interested in having a green in that room . The Guilford Green and Beach Glass were a fail . However the green looked good in my living room but so light in the bedroom . And Beach Glass looked too dark ! My lighting isn’t that great either . My lighting comes from my fan that’s above my bed . Do you think those two colors were wrong for a north facing rooms ? Thanks for the video 👍

[@charliec.5514]

I have a north facing condo that I have very little time to paint. I am going with a white/cream and thinking about the same value in a grey for the casing. I cannot afford to change the cabinets and they are have a yellow/pink/grey tone. I thought the slash of grey will tone down the yellow. Any thoughts?

[@MelodyHopkins]

Besides considering how light changes during the day, know that the light will change from season to season.

[@shannonrevesz2136]

What do you think oh Benjamin Moore’s moonshine in north room? Do you think it will look grey? Thanks

[@judyedwards7597]

What is the color of the room with the gold sofa? These videos are so helpful! I actually have a room with no windows at all...just doorways to other rooms!

[@JohnnyCatFitz]

I had no clue about any of this. When i signed my apt lease, i fell in love w a mid blue teal sofa that had grey undertones. As soon as i discovered this challenging lighting, i cancelled the sofa. I already instinctively felt it was going to feel dark in the space. The problem overall is the static sence of the place and the wrong shades make it somber. Funereal even, with the wrong decor. Its easy to lose track of time Very still, little to no change throughout the day. I'm still in the process of closing some mirrors. None of the curtains i bought worked. Sent back 3 different ones. Its a drag. One of the things i feel strongly about is adding texture in all textiles pillows, throws, ect. To have a sensory feel of warmth. Just trying to make do and hope not to be here next year. If I owned I would go reallly bold but its too challenging as a renter. Im afraid if the green cast that would happen. I like green but its not a color i want in the backdrop of all my pix.

[@helenk5579]

Thxs! South facing please.

[@tibbs4000]

I have a small north facing guest room to paint. I was wondering what a muted plum/antique rose would look like in this space. What do you think?

[@ianasay5127]

Thanks! So I have a tricky room for you. 18x18 ft living room, solid walls on East (fireplace) and West (bedrooms) but it has long large windows on BOTH the North and South. Fairly low ceilings. Any advice with a “double light exposure” situation?

[@lilakaye1505]

I have that as well and used a light sage/spring green and loved it but got tired of it quickly. It’s now a light grayish blue and it’s beautiful. It doesn’t get washed out by either light but it’s not at all overbearing. If you repaint the ceiling in a crisp white that can help move light through and make the ceiling seem higher so that’s something to consider also.

[@vivavita3769]

@@lilakaye1505 what is the name of the grayish blue you used?

[@bmrmamma]

Paint for West facing rooms coming up soon?

[@tanyag8645]

I hope so. We're rebuilding our home and our big open plan kitchen/living/dining will be directly facing west in sunny Queensland Australia!

[@Sparkle.Glider]

South next!

[@tessmaxwell8018]

I love your channel! I am selecting a paint color for the walls of my open layout home, the upstairs is open to the down so this color will literally be going everywhere other than beds/baths. I currently have SW Stone Lion and want to lighten and brighten things up considerably while keeping some contrast with the white ceilings, baseboards and cabinets. I have beige corian countertops, warm dark wood laminate floors and a very dark brown sofa. I have the colors narrowed down to either SW Natural Linen and SW Natural Tan. I tend to like cooler colors, such a gray but only have windows on one large 2 story wall with northern exposure. I think the safer bet would be Natural Linen, but I worry it may be a tad too warm for my personal taste. On the other hand I worry Natural Tan may be a touch too cool for my exposure and fixed elements. What are your thoughts?

[@nervouslaugh9301]

I hope everything worked out for you, and you’re happy with your design choices. 🙂

[@Olivia-bl8ez]

No paint examples ?!

[@ofeliamendoza9545]

What color is on your wall and door? Thank you

[@eviegorecki5356]

I tried panda white from sherwin williams in my north facing kitchen, it ended up looking drab and gray. I switched to natural almond by behr, it looks warm and soft. I changed the trim to smoky white by behr.

[@lindat.7520]

Hi does it look beigy or grayish? Curious cause I have a north facing living room.

[@eviegorecki5356]

@@lindat.7520 No gray at all in it. More of a creamy undertone. In the room with the southern exposure it has almost a light peach tone at times. It's pretty, I like it in the northern exposure room best. Definitely could be an allover color if you want something without brown or gray in it. At least in my townhouse that has limited lighting.

[@lindat.7520]

@@eviegorecki5356 oh ok thank you 😊

[@Woodshadow]

I live in a townhouse. My windows are on the East and West of the house. I have no North or South windows. What do I do?

[@jolandanvt2379]

So one side of my room is south the other side is north, how would u go about picking a color palette for this ?

[@sandramullen7804]

My bedroom has one window the sun comes round to it in the afternoon I just painted it dulux polished pebble, and it looks blue not the pale neutral grey i hoped for . Is my room north facing then?

[@pinkfreud62]

You don't know your directions??

[@karissaf4600]

I have an extremely difficult bathroom I'm trying to paint. Smaller master bathroom, light coming from the south in both the bathroom and bedroom but I'm ending up with completely different looking paint colors on the south walls. For example, in the bedroom Agreeable Gray looks warm neutral gray with some very slight purple undertone, but on the same wall in the bathroom it looks like a cool baby blue! Edgecomb gray looks more tan in the bedroom but again, a light baby blue in the bathroom (same wall). SW Sea salt looked like a light mint toothpaste in the bathroom, but sage green in the bedroom. Again, both rooms have light coming in from the south only. It's only the one wall in the bathroom, on all the others they look totally different. Currently I have BM classic gray which looks almost white and too sterile. I've gone through about a dozen different samples and this will be my SIXTH time repainting! Help!!

[@embeth446]

I so resonated with this comment. I’m in paint color hell right now. I’ve tried all these colors. AG is blue in my house. EG is dingy white. Classic Gray looks bright white and sterile. It’s insane how colors can look different in every room on every wall. Drift of Mist looked baby blue in my son’s room and straight up light pink in my room. I thought I was losing my mind.

[@dorothw265]

West should be next.

[@zwindaaponte3262]

👍🏼

[@annaletticks5995]

Use Phillips Hue bulbs 💡 that allow you to choose your warmth.

[@LULC0759]

It’s impossible yo get tester pots samples right now in SWest Ohio. I’ve been to several SWilliams stores & other places & was told the fire in TX has caused a shortage of raw materials.

[@LDSW]

The next best option is to order 12"x12" sample paint sheets from Samplize in your desired colors. These sheets can be adhered to the wall. The Samplize paint sheets can also be peeled off and moved around the room to get an idea of how the color appears in various areas around the room. Sherwin-Williams also sells sample paint sheets, but in a smaller size (8"x8"). The SW version is about $2.00 less per sheet than the larger ones from Samplize. Once you've narrowed down your colors, you may be able to buy sample paint pots for only your final choice or choices, if that helps.

[@shelbycobra78]

I'm trying to pick a color for my basement. I'm thinking light grey or light griege. What are the best colors that won't make my basement look too dingy?

[@annecyle]

Look at Sw Panda white or Sw creamy stupid me called To order my paint and asked for polar bear… I didn’t realize my mistake until the basement was painted.. it’s not bad but a tad yellow

[@Ackbarfangirl]

I have 5, FIVE goddamn windows in my small bedroom. Crazy quirky 1920s builders. Have an eastern window with fair bit of light, 3 large northern windows (idk how tf that wall is supported lol) , one western that the neighbors built their deck in front of. It’s always so cold in here. It’s a horrible lavender right now, changed from a cold but pretty at least periwinkle, before I knew about lighting. I can’t wait to try some of these suggestions.

[@Sunni5050]

Was a real challenge to find a color that didn't turn purple or weird green, I ended up using BM Niveous. It's a warm off-white.

[@thepaintpeople]

Wow I can't believe I never used the word Niveous before! haha!

[@laurenglass4514]

Comment on Ben Moore Elvira white

[@rw9019]

That picture wasn't an led light bulb. It was a compact fluorescent. Not all compact fluorescent and not all LED bulbs can be dimmed. Old dimmers might not work with these. LED bulbs look like incandescent, but have a white band at the bottom. They come in cool, (day) or warm (soft) are energy efficient. The squiggle compact fluorescent are energy efficient but an environmental disaster bcz they have mercury in them. If they break EPA says you should evacuate. The incandescent are less energy efficient, but are warmer, friendlier in general in the ambiance but also give off heat, which can or cannot be a plus.

[@yvonnematras9740]

what gray or white do you recommend for north facing rooms , please

[@henrysmom1742]

My dark north facing living room looks great in BM Edgecombe Gray

[@ryanhenry8418]

@@henrysmom1742 I'm really considering painting my north facing home with smaller windows (1951 bungalow probs) Edgecomb Gray...glad to hear someone with a similar sounding situation really like it

[@user-sq6es4gx2z]

Edgecombe looks great in my dining room but super purple in my bedroom

[@ham185]

South please. I need help asap!

[@reggie9334]

Like you and your videos 😂

[@gazzabethyname]

I'm just another J Royl frag head trickling over.

[@thepaintpeople]

Yesss

[@SS11660]

Wish the list was here.

[@shannonrevesz2136]

James where and when will get the list of colours? Thanks

[@thepaintpeople]

Next week! I promise!

[@shannonrevesz2136]

Thanks James I really appreciate the reply. You are a man in high demand! I think we need to clone you😊

[@thepaintpeople]

@@shannonrevesz2136 Could you imagineee? hahah!

[@saby8765]

How abouy a 2 story living room with a wall of windows facing NE?

[@thepaintpeople]

I'd likely treat it like North facing, there will be shadows lol

[@susanfudge1737]

Navy blue?

[@coastaldiva]

Waiting for south since im in florida

[@irishblue82]

🤦‍♀️

[@coastaldiva]

@@irishblue82 whats this for?

[@irishblue82]

Because it is for which way your windows face not which direction you are geographically

[@coastaldiva]

@@irishblue82 i know that!! I have a south facing dining room in florida, it gets very bright.

[@irishblue82]

@@coastaldiva haha sorry. Glad to hear that! I have a house in FL too. My problem room is definitely North facing

[@sherrywade7181]

I just finished painting my northeast facing office/spare bedroom Simply White. I don't love it. I got seduced by all the white Scandinavian rooms I see everywhere.

[@julg2124]

How about swiss coffee just has one window.

[@thepaintpeople]

I think it's a good choice!

[@whosthatgirl411]

Can I hire you to help me with my house?

[@arthurcantrell9113]

Go West

[@McAvoy-ft5fg]

But what colors ???????????????????????????????

[@lucybirdsong8632]

Get to the point faster, I’m impatient.

[@deegeraghty9426]

Too much talking ... get to the point straight away.

[@thepaintpeople]

Hey, there's always the fast forward option lol

[@sherrywade7181]

I just finished painting my northeast facing office/spare bedroom Simply White. I don't love it. I got seduced by all the white Scandinavian rooms I see everywhere.