Discover how to pick the best paint colours for every tricky room in your home with expert advice from Interior Stylist Maxine Brady.
When it comes to decorating your home, choosing the right paint colour for your walls has a huge impact on how a room can look and feel. Paint can make a small room feel larger and a big room feel cosy. It has the potential to brighten a dark room, and it can stop a sunny space feeling stark. It can warm a cold north-facing room, or bring to life to a room in the evenings.
But when trying to choose colours from a paint chart can feel overwhelming! That’s where I step in. Follow my expert advice, where I explain how paint colours behave under different light conditions found in a real home (like yours).
With the help of Zshoosh Paints I’ve hand picked the best new paint shades to decorate every tricky room in your home. To make it simple, I’ve selected colours based on the orientation of the room – explained how each paint will impact your home when it’s on the wall.
The Best New Paint Colours For Tricky Rooms Explained
My guide to choosing the best new paint colours for tricky rooms will help you nail your decorating projects right first time. I promise.
Ask yourself – which room does my room face? This is important because the quality of the light that comes in is different depending on whether the room faces north, south, east or west and this will alter the appearance of the paint colour once it’s on the wall.
North facing rooms
…these rooms don’t tend to get much daylight all day long so can feel cold and unwelcoming. Here’s my paint tips on how to avoid that:
- Avoid cool colours (see above) as they’ll appear even cooler and look flat
- Choose yellows, reds or pinks if you want a hit of colour
- Prefer a neutral scheme? Select paints with pink or yellow undertones
- Embrace the situation and go dark in on-trend charcoals or deep red-purples
- North facing rooms can feel cold so warm up the space with Rhythmic Red & Rhythmic Yellow
East-facing rooms
…can be bright first thing on but become darker as the day progresses. Here’s my paint tips for east facing rooms:
- Colours like blue or green will balance brilliant sunshine, making it less intense
- If you want a more calming look, then choose pale neutrals with a blue or green base
- Alternatively, if you want to make the most of the mornings, choose a strong colour that will come to life in the sun like a deep navy or lime green
- If you want a cosy space in the evenings then pick richer greens and blues for an inviting space perfect for watching TV or to entertain in
- East Facing rooms only get light in the mornings so make them feel cosy & inviting with green paints like Reggae Green or Country Green
South-facing rooms
…are sunny all day but strong daylight can make these rooms look too yellow or eye-watering bright
- Coastal inspired shades always look fabulous in bright light, look out for blues and whites
- Bear in mind that paints can look yellower than on a paint chart. To avoid picking a yellow-toned white or neutral use tester pots on the walls first to double check the colour will work
- Love a neutrals? Opt for shades with a cool undertone, knowing the room’s light will warm them up
- South facing rooms can be almost too bright and warm, so you can afford to go for paints with a fresh feel. I’d advice Smooth Blue & Mellow Grey
West-facing rooms
..will be cooler in the mornings, dark during the way but by the evenings will be filled with a warm light.
- Pinks and peaches paint colours are perfect for west-facing rooms as they give a rosey glow all day long
- Contrast a stronger rust tone on a feature wall or below your dado rail for maximum impact
- If you find these colours too girly, you can go for neutrals but make sure they have a warm undertone
- West facing rooms only get sun in the evenings so choose pinks for a cosy space all day long. I like Country Pink & Rhythmic Pink
If you want to learn more about choosing paint colours for tricky rooms, check out my instagram reel here where I explain in more detail! Plus you get to see my face.
Other things to consider When picking paint Colours for tricky rooms
Do you use the room mostly in the mornings or evenings? In rooms that are going to be generally occupied after dark, you’ll want to consider your wall colour will look under artificial lightbulbs rather than natural daylight. Bulbs can give off a yellow or blue light that can impact your paint shades so always put a tester pot on the wall – and double check with your lights switched on.
If your room has small proportions and your want it look bigger, then whites and pale neutrals tones paint can been transformative as they will reflect the most light, helping your room feel bigger. Choose a neutral paint colour with the under tone that suits the orientation of the room (refer to my guide above)
What do you think of my Paint Colours tips For Tricky Rooms
I hope you have found this post helpful. Let me know in the comments box below. Don’t forget to give me a follow on instagram & Pinterest for more interiors inspo. I’m also on TikTok too! There’s lots of opportunities for us to hang out.
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