CONSIDERING THE ORIENTATION OF YOUR SPACE

One of the main factors to consider when choosing a colour for your project is orientation. The times of day when the room receives the sun, the amount and type of light projected into your room can all affect how a colour is received. Follow the advice of the Paint & Paper Library expert Colour Consultants to choose paint colours that work harmoniously in their setting.

From cool and blue to warm and yellow, morning and evening light can dramatically impact the atmosphere of a room. For the perfect colour balance, it is vital to know when your space will receive the most sunlight.

Colours for East-facing rooms

Brightest in the morning, east-facing spaces are wonderful rooms in which to admire the dawn sunshine. Bright yellows, such as the buttery Morning Room and contemporary Brimstone, will enhance the morning sunlight in east-facing spaces. These tones will also sustain a sense of warmth throughout the day, once the sun has moved south.

Explore yellow paint options.

For a neutral scheme, select hues with yellow or red undertones. Our Leather, Cashmere or Paper families are perfect for creating calm, harmonious east-facing spaces.

Wall/Trim: Brimstone, Salt III

Door/Trim: Salt IV

Ceiling: Clean White

Bronze

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Colours for West-facing rooms

West-facing rooms receive the sun during the late afternoon and evening. These rooms benefit from a very yellow light, especially through large, west-facing windows. Rooms filled with such stunning golden warmth partner beautifully with vibrant blue-green shades. Consider the striking Iguana or the classic mid-strength blue, Blue Gum in west-facing spaces.

Discover our guide to using blues and greens for a tranquil atmosphere.

Our Stone and Slate Architectural Colours are some of the most versatile neutrals in the Paint & Paper Library palette. They are also amongst the best colours for west-facing rooms. Neutrals respond well to the changing light in these spaces. Consider Stone or Slate as a fabulous choice either for a muted scheme or to complement bolder colours.

Read more about how to use the Architectural Colours.

Walls: Iguana

Ceiling/Cornicing: Cotton II

Blue Gum

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Colours for North-facing rooms

As spaces that seldom receive direct sunlight, rooms that face north tend to be the coolest areas in the home. As such, these spaces can rely on artificial light sources. When painting north-facing spaces, it is important to understand that any colour will appear flatter and greyer than it would in a more dynamically lit space.

Compensate against the cool in a north-facing room by choosing a warm palette of neutrals. The Sand Architectural family contains undertones of pink, while Clay has a subtle tinge of yellow. Use either of these neutrals to create a scheme that feels warm and inviting.

Discover more warm-based neutrals.

If you have chosen a blue or green scheme, opt for bright, vivid colours rather than subdued alternatives. While Deep Water Green and Chelsea Green II can be used more liberally in north-facing spaces.

Ceiling: Sand I

Wall: Tropicane – Chelsea Green

Dado and Skirting: Chelsea Green II

Deep Water Green

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Colours for South-facing rooms

If you have a space that faces south, it is the perfect chance to experiment with cooler shades. Cool shades may appear stark in other areas, but they sit comfortably in south-facing rooms that receive sun throughout the day. As such, neutrals with blue undertones, such as the Lead or Salt Architectural Colours, will achieve a cohesive and thoughtful space.

The Original Colours have complex pigmentation which is enhanced by an abundance of natural light. The richest, deepest shades in the Paint & Paper Library palette, such as Kigali and Mockingbird are excellent in south-facing rooms where they create a compelling atmosphere. For the most luxurious feel, boldly use these shades on both walls and woodwork to immerse the space in one strong colour.

Wall/Trim: Mockingbird

Bath: Kasbah

Ceiling: Lead III