Most of us love natural light and go out of our way to bring as much as possible into our homes. The way it
filters into our homes can affect the way color looks in our space. Often, when helping clients choose colors for their space I take into account the location of the windows, they'll reveal how much sunlight will come into that room. So, be prepared and chose colors depending on your delight of sunshine.
Here’s a guide.
North – most consistent
light & coldest exposure (brrr!)direct sunlight only occurs in the middle of summer. In this space use warm colors such as red, yellow or orange to compensate for the coolness of the light. Blues or greens will make the room
appear even colder.
South – good warm light (aah!) You can use darker colors in a room with a southern exposure. Blues and greens in this room can create a summery feel all year
long.
East – warm bright light, especially in the morning (now, where're my sunglasses?) but muted middays. The afternoon offers no direct light, so you'll want to use a mix of warms and cools to balance out the daylight.
West – hottest light of the day (take out that sun block and consider getting a window treatment that diffuses light to protect your furniture and artwork from fading
away.) features afternoon and evening sun. Use neutrals in this room. Using warm colors will overpower the room in the afternoon.
There you go, pretty simple. Although, I don't think any amount of natural light or lack there of will make mustard yellow look good!
What's your favorite type of natural light?
filters into our homes can affect the way color looks in our space. Often, when helping clients choose colors for their space I take into account the location of the windows, they'll reveal how much sunlight will come into that room. So, be prepared and chose colors depending on your delight of sunshine.
Here’s a guide.
North – most consistent
light & coldest exposure (brrr!)direct sunlight only occurs in the middle of summer. In this space use warm colors such as red, yellow or orange to compensate for the coolness of the light. Blues or greens will make the room
appear even colder.
South – good warm light (aah!) You can use darker colors in a room with a southern exposure. Blues and greens in this room can create a summery feel all year
long.
East – warm bright light, especially in the morning (now, where're my sunglasses?) but muted middays. The afternoon offers no direct light, so you'll want to use a mix of warms and cools to balance out the daylight.
West – hottest light of the day (take out that sun block and consider getting a window treatment that diffuses light to protect your furniture and artwork from fading
away.) features afternoon and evening sun. Use neutrals in this room. Using warm colors will overpower the room in the afternoon.
There you go, pretty simple. Although, I don't think any amount of natural light or lack there of will make mustard yellow look good!
What's your favorite type of natural light?