These Are The Best Neutral Paints To Choose Depending On Your Room’s Orientation – According To Color Experts

When it comes to selecting the right neutral paint, it’s far more than just picking a shade off the shelf. Your room’s orientation to the sun plays a crucial role in how the paint will appear throughout the day. Whether the light is warm or cool, abundant or limited, it will significantly impact the look of your walls. Neutral paints, while subtle, are some of the most challenging to get right.

In this article, we’ll explain how to choose the best neutral paint depending on your room’s orientation, ensuring your space is balanced and beautiful all day. Read on for expert advice on how to perfect your next decorating project.

Understanding Room Orientation and Light

Before you dive into paint samples, the first step is to determine the orientation of your room. Some rooms may be bathed in bright sunlight throughout the day, while others might be in shadow or dim light most of the time. Pay close attention to how light moves around your home, as it will directly impact how the paint color looks on your walls.

Once you’ve identified the direction your room faces, it’s time to choose a paint that will complement the natural light. Even within the neutral color palette, your style is important—some may prefer warm neutrals over cool ones. Let’s explore which shades work best for different room orientations.

Choosing Neutral Paint for North-Facing Rooms

North-facing rooms often present the biggest challenge when it comes to decorating with neutral colors. The natural light in these rooms is cooler, casting a blue tint that can make some colors feel cold or dull.

Expert Tips for North-Facing Rooms:

• Warm Undertones: According to Patrick O’Donnell from Farrow & Ball, off-whites with yellow or red pigments can help bring warmth to a north-facing room. Colors like Dimity and White Tie are great examples of off-whites that will counteract the cool light.
• Lick’s White 03: Tash Bradley from Lick suggests this soft, uplifting neutral, designed to reflect natural light and make the space feel brighter and cozier. It’s especially effective in bedrooms.
• Alternatives to White: If you want more depth, try warm beige shades like Beige 01 or subtle pinks like Pink 02 for a cozy, inviting feel.

Choosing Neutral Paint for South-Facing Rooms

South-facing rooms are blessed with abundant natural light, making them more forgiving when painting colors. These rooms can handle a broad spectrum of neutral shades, from cooler whites to warmer, sunlit tones.

Expert Tips for South-Facing Rooms:

• Cooler Whites for a Fresh Look: Patrick recommends cooler, blue-tinted whites for a minimalist aesthetic. Farrow & Ball’s Wevet is a popular choice, offering a timeless, pared-back look.
• Embrace the Light: Tash from Lick advises sticking with soft gray-based whites like White 04 or White 02 to maintain a light and breezy feel.
• Darker Neutrals: South-facing rooms can handle slightly darker tones too. Earthy shades like Beige 02 blend yellow and gray undertones, offering a calming, restful vibe. Behr’s Swiss Coffee is another excellent choice, balancing bright light with soft warmth.

Choosing Neutral Paint for East-Facing Rooms

East-facing rooms enjoy bright daylight in the morning but tend to cool down as the day progresses. Your paint color needs to perform well in both bright morning light and the cooler afternoon.

Expert Tips for East-Facing Rooms:

• Greens for Versatility: Patrick suggests soft greens like Farrow & Ball’s Pale Powder or the more contemporary Shaded White to complement the shifting light in east-facing rooms.
• Consider When You Use the Room: Tash from Lick encourages thinking about how and when you use the room. Warmer tones like Beige 01 work better in the cooler afternoon light, while crisp shades like Beige 03 shine in the morning light, ideal for an east-facing bathroom.
• Balanced Neutrals: Neutrals with a mix of warm and cool undertones, such as Lick’s White 06 with its touch of pink, work all day long. Behr’s Chic Gray also provides a balanced tone for changing light conditions.

Choosing Neutral Paint for West-Facing Rooms

West-facing rooms experience cooler, dimmer light in the morning but come alive with warm, golden sunlight in the afternoon. You’ll need a paint that can transition smoothly between these two extremes.

Expert Tips for West-Facing Rooms:

• Warm Whites for Afternoon Glow: Patrick suggests warm, earthy tones like Farrow & Ball’s Stirabout or the pale red-based Joa’s White to create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere in west-facing rooms.
• Creamy Neutrals for Consistency: Tash recommends avoiding grayish whites and opting for creamy, warm tones like White 03 or White 05, which will keep the room feeling consistent as the light changes.
• Beige Alternatives: For added depth, Behr’s Linen White offers a soft beige undertone that complements the warm afternoon light beautifully.

Final Tips for Selecting Neutral Paint

While this guide provides a great starting point, always remember to test paint colors in your home before making a final decision. Paint swatches can help you observe how the color changes with the light throughout the day. This simple step ensures that your chosen neutral paint aligns with your style, whether clean and classic whites in well-lit rooms or warmer tones in cooler, shaded spaces.

Conclusion

Choosing the perfect neutral paint is about more than just selecting a color you love—it’s about understanding how light interacts with your space and selecting shades that will harmonize with your room’s orientation. Whether your room is bathed in bright sunlight or hidden in cool shadows, there’s a neutral out there that will bring balance and beauty to your home.

Be sure to experiment with samples before committing, and remember that the right neutral paint can transform your space into a serene, inviting backdrop for all your decor.

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Ready to transform your space with the perfect neutral paint? Explore more decorating tips and expert advice in our Decorating with Neutrals guide.