The best paint colors for north facing bedrooms

Learn how to select the best paint colors for north-facing bedrooms to counteract cool, dim light and create a cozy, inviting space. Discover tips for warm whites, cozy grays, and vibrant accents to enhance your bedroom's ambiance.

When it comes to decorating your bedroom, you need to think about more than just your favorite color.

The direction your windows face plays a crucial role in choosing the right paint color.

North-facing bedrooms, known for their limited natural light and cooler light quality, present a unique set of challenges and opportunities for creating a cozy and inviting space.

The Impact of Light in North-Facing Rooms

North-facing windows receive less direct sunlight, which can make a room feel cooler and darker. This natural light tends to bring out the cooler tones in paint colors, making them appear more gray or blue.

Understanding this can help you make informed decisions when selecting paint colors to ensure your bedroom feels warm and welcoming and to save you pain down the road when colors do NOT look like the swatch in yours space.

Determining Your Bedroom's Orientation

To figure out which direction your room faces, look for the wall with the most windows. Use a compass app on your phone to check the direction these windows face.

The direction that the windows are in is the direction your room faces.

This initial step is crucial for tailoring your paint choices to enhance the natural characteristics of your bedroom's light.

Choosing the Right Paint Finish

In north-facing bedrooms, where the light is more diffuse and less intense, the choice of paint finish is less about managing glare and more about aesthetic preference.

Eggshell finish is often recommended for its subtle luster and ease of maintenance, creating a gentle ambiance that complements the soft natural light.

The best Paint Colors for a North-Facing Bedroom

The key to choosing paint colors for north-facing bedrooms is to counterbalance the cooler, dimmer light with warm undertones.

This approach helps to neutralize the space, making it feel brighter and more inviting.

Warm Whites

To create a feeling of warmth and spaciousness, select whites with warm undertones. Favorites include Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Benjamin Moore White Dove, which offer a cozy glow against the cool northern light.

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Behr Polar Bear
• Behr Swiss Coffee

Cozy Grays

Warm grays, or greiges, blend gray's sophistication with beige's warmth, perfect for north-facing bedrooms. Options like Benjamin Moore Pale Oak and Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray bring warmth and depth to the space.

• Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
• Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray
• Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
• Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Rich Neutrals

Beige and taupe shades can infuse your bedroom with warmth, offsetting the cool light. Look for colors with a hint of yellow undertone, like Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan or Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige, to keep the room feeling welcoming.

• Benjamin Moore Wheeling Neutral
• Benjamin Moore Lenox Tan
• Sherwin Williams Antique White
• Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
• Sherwin Williams Tavern Taupe

Bold Accents

For those desiring a touch of drama, warm bold colors can add depth and interest. Warm blacks like Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black or earthy tones like Behr Bitter Sage create focal points without overwhelming the space.

• Behr Bitter Sage (or any Sage green)
• Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black (or any warm black)
• Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze

Colors to avoid in north-facing rooms

Avoid cool tones that can amplify the chilliness of north-facing light, steering clear of icy blues and grays. Instead, opt for colors that will remain vibrant and warm throughout the day.

To brighten a north-facing bedroom, incorporate additional lighting sources, use mirrors to reflect light, and choose curtains that maximize natural light. Selecting paint with a high Light Reflectance Value (LRV) can also help make the room feel airier and more open.

Creating Coziness in cool toned roomds

Warm undertones are your best ally in making a north-facing bedroom feel cozy and inviting. By carefully selecting your paint colors and complementing them with the right decor and lighting, you can transform a north-facing bedroom into a serene retreat that feels welcoming at any time of the day.

By tailoring your decor and paint choices to the unique qualities of north-facing light, you can create a bedroom that not only looks beautiful but also feels comfortable and inviting, proving that even the coolest, darkest rooms can be transformed into warm, inviting spaces.

Northern Facing Room Paint Color Palette

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