I’m an interiors expert – little-known hack stops your room from looking dark and dreary, it’s so simple
DECORATING your home can be stressful and picking the ‘right’ colours for a room isn’t always straightforward.
Some rooms and their positions in a house make it way harder to get the paint right.
Not all colours are created equally especially when it comes to the little-known issue of north-facing rooms.
North-facing rooms tend to get less direct sunlight which can make them feel cooler and darker compared to south-facing rooms.
The right colour can transform your space but the wrong choice can leave the room feeling dull and dreary.
Vicky Yardley, eco paint specialist from Victory Colours, has spent years understanding how light and shades interact and how this impacts the look and feel of your space.
Vicky has created a list of the no-go colours when it comes to decorating that pesky north-facing room.
Dark Greys and Charcoals
While they may look chic and contemporary, they make north-facing rooms oppressive.
Vicky says these shades tend to absorb light without any natural warmth coming in.
Vicky says: “These colours are notorious for absorbing light and without a generous influx of natural warmth, they can turn your space into a gloomy cave.
“Instead, opt for lighter greys with warm undertones to life the room.”
Pure Whites
It might seem counterintuitive, but stark, pure whites can make your room look surprisingly dingy without much direct sunlight.
Vicky says without natural light to brighten it up, it can end up looking more grey and lifeless.
She said: “Without the sun to brighten it up, pure white can take on a grey, lifeless cast.
“A better option is an off-white hue with a touch of yellow or pink to introduce warmth.”
Cool Blues
While blues are often touted for their calming effect, in a north-facing room they actually ooze chill by reflecting cooler light.
Vicky suggests looking towards warmer blues with more green tones can create a warmer feeling.
She said: “Cool blues might work well for a bathroom or bedroom where you want to evoke crispness, but in a living space, it can be too cold.
“Warmer blues that lean towards the green spectrum or those with a touch of grey can soften the effect.”
Vibrant Greens
Vicky says in theory, vibrant greens should energise your space.
But in north-facing rooms they can create a sharp, unnatural contrast again the cool light, making the room feel unwelcoming.
Instead, she recommends trying a more muted green with a grey undertone to harmonize with the room’s natural tone.
Intense Reds
Red is a tricky colour to play with when it comes to interior design.
Too intense a red can often become overwhelming, especially in rooms where the natural daylight is already compromised.
Vicky says: “These shades can make the room feel smaller and more enclosed.
“A softer terracotta or a dusky pink can provide warmth without overpowering the space.”
It’s important to remember these rooms can still be a canvas for rich and vibrant colours.
But the key is choosing hues with warm undertones that balance the natural coolness of the light.
Besides from the paint, you can soften the edges of the room with layered lighting and add mirrors to reflect what natural light there is.
And by considering what light your room does get, you can use colour to create and inviting space that is just right for you.