Best Paint Colours to Add Warmth to Your North-Facing Room

Jessica Power
May 21
2 min read

Updated: Aug 29

North-facing rooms often get a bad rap for feeling cold, shadowy, or dull. But with the right paint colours, you can completely transform these rooms into cosy, welcoming retreats.

In this post, we’ll explore the best paint colours for a north-facing room, why north-facing rooms feel cold and what undertones you should choose and avoid.

Why Your North-Facing Room Feels Cold

The natural light that filters into a north-facing room is typically cool and muted, especially in the UK where grey skies are common. This can make some colours – particularly whites, blues and greys – appear cold and stark.

To balance this effect, opt for warm-toned paints. The key is to choose colours with red, yellow or pink undertones to counteract the coolness of the light. When selecting paint for a north-facing room, it’s all about warming things up.

Best Paint Colours for North-Facing Rooms

1. Warm Neutrals

Dulux Natural Hessian (@the_scandi_victorian)

Beiges, taupes and creamy off-whites are great choices. These shades add subtle warmth without overwhelming the room, making them ideal colours for a north-facing room if you want a soft, natural look.

Farrow & Ball – Joa's White: A light and clean taupe – perfect for contemporary homes.
Little Greene – Stock: A pastel shade of white that's extremely versatile.
Dulux – Natural Hessian: A pale, warm neutral with a slightly yellow undertone.

2. Yellows & Buttery Creams

Lick Yellow 02

Yellow is often underrated, but in a north-facing room, it works wonders. It mimics sunlight, brightens the space and makes it feel more cheerful – especially in the UK's often overcast climate.

Farrow & Ball – Yellow Ground: A happy, useable yellow that isn't too overpowering.
Dulux – Buttermilk: A soft buttery shade with warm yellow undertones.
Lick – Yellow 02: A warm golden yellow with red undertones.

3. Earthy Terracottas & Warm Pinks

Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster (@propertybydario)

Soft, earthy reds and pinks bring a lovely cocooning effect to colder rooms, and they’ve become increasingly popular for their versatility and warmth. These tones make great paint colours for north-facing rooms that need some extra personality!

Lick – Red 03: A mid terracotta paint with warm pink and brown undertones.
Farrow & Ball – Setting Plaster: A dusty pink that mimics a newly-plastered room.
Farrow & Ball – Red Earth: An earthy terracotta blending red and yellow pigments.

Tips for Choosing Paint for a North-Facing Room

Test samples at different times of day. Light shifts throughout the day, so observe your samples morning, noon and night to check you like them in different lights.
Avoid cool tones. Blues, greens, and stark whites can make the room feel colder. Even light grey can feel icy without warm undertones.

Whether you prefer soft neutrals, sunny yellows, or bold earthy tones, there’s plenty of paint colours out there that will bring much-needed warmth to your north-facing room.