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How Light Affects Paint Colours
August 19th, 2025
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A huge consideration to make when decorating a space is the light available in the room. A paint colour can look wildly different throughout the day and can look like a completely different colour if used in a north facing room compared to a south facing room. Whilst this topic can be technical, we're here to help!
How Colour Changes Throughout The Day
You may remember from school that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west which means throughout the day, sunlight will hit different spots, having a dramatic effect on colour.
Think about where your windows are placed compared to the sun and see where the light will come through - don't forget to use the compass app on your phone to see where your room is orientated.
When choosing colour, its crucial that you paint out large samples onto lining paper and place them around the room.
Leave the samples up throughout the day to see how you feel about the colour during different times. This will give you complete confidence when selecting the right cololur.
Paint Colours In North Facing Rooms
If your room is north facing, you will notice the space has considerably less light pouring in compared to a south facing room.
North facing rooms can be treated similarly to rooms with little or no natural light available to them. These spaces may also feel colder as well as darker, so depending on what the room is used for will help you decide on the colour you choose.
You can embrace the lack of light and choose a colour that will make the room feel cosy or choose a brighter colour which will encourage more light to reflect off the colour.
Stick to the warmer side of the colour palette to combat the coldness, avoiding colours with blue or grey undertones.
Choosing a bright white will help light reflect around the room.
Again, brushing out some colours onto lining paper will help you make the right decision.
Artificial Lighting And Paint Colour
One way to elevate your space is through layered lighting.
Incorporating task, ambient and accent lighting is a great way to create an atmospheric space, but how does this affect the colour on your walls?
See how your colour samples work when they are illuminated by different lighting options.
Choosing warm or cool coloured bulbs can have a dramatic effect on your walls so make sure you test how the light interacts with the colour you want to choose.
