Discover how to choose the best paint colors for west-facing bedrooms to complement the unique natural light they receive. Learn tips for creating a harmonious and inviting space that feels perfect at any time of day.
Choosing the right paint color for your bedroom is more than just picking shades you like; it involves understanding how those shades will interact with the natural light your space receives.
This is especially crucial when considering west-facing rooms, where the light dynamics can significantly influence the atmosphere of the room.
Today I want to chat about west-facing bedrooms specifically and the best paint colors to consider in that lighting and space!
Why Light Direction Matters in Your Bedroom
The orientation of your bedroom windows plays a huge role in how paint colors look throughout the day.
Remember - the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. So for west-facing bedrooms, this means experiencing the cool, subdued light of the morning and the warm, vivid glow of the afternoon sun.
These changing conditions can dramatically affect the appearance and feel of your bedroom, making the wall colors feel totally different from morning to afternoon.
This makes the direction your room faces an essential factor in your color selection process.
Identifying the Orientation of Your Bedroom
To determine if your bedroom faces west, locate the wall with the most or largest windows. Use a compass app on your phone to aim at this wall, and the direction it indicates will be the one your room faces.
This simple step is crucial in aligning your paint color choices with the natural lighting your bedroom enjoys.
The Unique Lighting of West-Facing Rooms
Rooms with a western orientation bask in the evening sunlight, offering beautiful sunset views that fill the space with a warm, golden light.
However, mornings in these rooms can feel somewhat dimmer and cooler in comparison.
To counterbalance this, incorporating warm-toned artificial lighting can help create a more balanced and inviting ambiance in the morning hours.
Selecting the Ideal Paint Finish
Given the diverse lighting conditions in west-facing bedrooms, choosing the right paint finish is key.
To avoid unwanted glare from the afternoon sunlight, an eggshell finish is recommended. It provides a subtle sheen without the harsh reflections that glossier finishes might produce, ensuring your bedroom remains a tranquil retreat at all hours.
The Best Color Choices for West-Facing Bedrooms
When it comes to painting a west-facing bedroom, understanding the time of day you'll most use the space can guide your color selection.
For mornings and evenings, consider shades that harmonize with cooler morning light yet warm up beautifully under the afternoon's golden rays.
If your bedroom doubles as a sanctuary throughout the day, opting for neutral colors will offer the most flexibility. These shades maintain their appeal under the varying light conditions typical of west-facing rooms, ensuring a consistently welcoming space.
The goal is to choose paint colors that complement the unique qualities of west-facing light:
The best white paint colors for a west facing room
Opt for paints without strong undertones to avoid shifts in color perception. Matching wall and trim colors can soften the appearance of the room, creating a serene, cohesive look.
Favorites include:
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Benjamin Moore White Heron
- Behr Polar Bear
The best gray paint colors for a west facing room
Select grays that provide a balanced backdrop, neither too cold in the morning nor too warm in the afternoon.
Top choices are:
- Behr Gray Mist
- Benjamin Moore Calm
- Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
- Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
The best neutral paint colors for a west facing room
A truly neutral palette without pronounced undertones will look fantastic all day.
Consider using:
- Behr Battleship Gray
- Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
- Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
- Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray
- Benjamin Moore Collingwood
The best bolder paint colors for a west facing room
Don't shy away from vibrant colors; just be mindful of how they'll transform in varying light. Test swatches at different times to ensure the shade remains appealing under both morning and afternoon light.
I suggest:
- Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
- Sherwin Williams Retreat
- Clare Current Mood
- Sherwin Williams Naval
Colors to Use with Caution in west facing rooms
Highly saturated warm or cool tones can exhibit dramatic shifts from morning to evening, potentially complicating your decorating scheme. To avoid this, select colors with a balanced, neutral base.
By tailoring your color choices to the specific characteristics of west-facing bedrooms, you can create a space that feels harmonious and comfortable, regardless of the time of day.
Western Facing Room Paint Color Palette
Still unsure which paint color is right for your space?
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Thanks for reading!
Morgan is passionate about home decor and paint colors. She has been sharing DIY home decor tips since 2012 at CharlestonCrafted.com. From there, she learned to love paint colors, and the Paint Color Project was born in 2022!
