Considering the Orientation of a Space

When selecting paint shades for your home, the orientation of the room is a big consideration.

The amount and direction of light entering a room can completely alter the appearance of a colour. Once you have created a shortlist of colour options from our colour card, we always recommend ordering sample pots. Sampling the colours in situ is the best way to ensure you select a colour that sits comfortably in your room.

You might have a space that’s bathed in natural light, or the light might vastly change throughout the course of a day. You should always consider the orientation of each room separately to ensure you pick a shade that complements that space.

South-Facing Rooms

South-facing rooms tend to experience warmer light, which can cause both colours and neutrals to appear more yellow. This means cooler whites such as 'French Grey – Pale' or 'Gauze' will read as more neutral whites. Whereas warmer whites such as 'Silent White' or 'First Light' can appear quite cream in tone.

Strong, bold yellows like 'Yellow-Pink' or ‘Giallo’ will radiate warmth in south-facing rooms, creating a joyful and engaging environment. Consider using dark blues like 'Royal Navy' and 'Hicks' Blue' in place of greys and blacks to achieve a scheme with more depth and character.

North-Facing Rooms

Colours in north-facing rooms tend to appear consistently flatter and cooler than if they were bathed in natural light. If you're looking for a neutral, consider selecting shades with a pink or yellow undertone. 'Rolling Fog', 'Mushroom' or ‘Mochi’ can uplift the mood of north-facing rooms, particularly when used in an all-over scheme.

Paler blues and greens can feel quite cold in north-facing rooms, so you might prefer a shade with a little more warmth to create an inviting space. Experiment with strong green-blues such as 'Air Force Blue' or 'Canton' for a warming impact.

West-Facing Rooms

The natural light in west and east-facing rooms can change dramatically throughout the course of a day. As such, these rooms offer a wide range of possibilities when it comes to choosing colour. The function of the space is an important factor as you decide on a colour scheme. Neutrals are a timeless choice to help you create a scheme that feels comfortable and easy to live with.

To maximise the changing light in a west-facing room, consider varying the strength of shades throughout the space. The 'Colour Scales' card provides families of tonal hues using the same pigment, which you can use in combination for a harmonious scheme. Utilise bold accent colours on architectural features, furniture or woodwork for a strong highlight.

East-Facing Rooms

If you have a bedroom or perhaps a kitchen that faces east, make the most of the morning light with a strong or radiant colour. Consider inviting hues like ‘Sunlight’ or ‘Bombolone’ to create the perfect environment to wake up to.

In east-facing rooms, neutrals with blue or green undertones will help to create balance in the bright morning light. Consider shades like ‘Green Stone’ or ‘Portland Stone’ that will appear subdued and restful in the evening light too.

Order sample pots to test within your space or read our guide to sampling in situ. For more advice, consider our Colour Consultancy service.