Paint is one of the simplest ways to transform a space. But before you grab a brush or fall in love with a color on Instagram, take a look at your windows. The cardinal direction your room faces plays a huge role in how colors look and, more importantly, how they feel.
South-facing rooms

South-facing spaces bask in warm, direct sunlight most of the day. They’re naturally bright, which gives you a lot of flexibility. Cool-toned whites and neutrals will make these rooms feel airy and expansive.
But heads up, midday light can wash out pale shades. You can go bolder in these spaces: think darker walls, saturated kitchen cabinets or rich wood floors because the sunlight balances it all out.
If the room has a lot of glass or big windows, try mid-to-dark blues or greens to cool things down visually. Skip the warm, saturated sunset tones like red or coral. These colors can feel overwhelming in an already bright space.
Bonus tip: If you love muted greys and moody shades like Farrow & Ball’s “Pigeon,” this is where they shine. That dusty blue-grey will look fresh and dimensional, not dingy.
North-facing rooms
These rooms get soft, indirect light that tends to lean cool. If your white walls feel a bit… sad, it’s not you. It’s the lighting. Bring warmth and life back into the space with creamy whites, soft taupes or even muted yellows.

East and west-facing rooms
East-facing rooms glow in the morning and fade by afternoon. Choose brighter colors if you use them early in the day, or go moodier for evening hangouts.
West-facing rooms start cool but end with gorgeous golden hour light. Creamy neutrals with a hint of yellow feel just right here—cozy but not overwhelming.
One more thing before you choose
When you hang the 17 paint swatches you picked up at the hardware store on your wall, it can be hard to remember they will not all go up together. Once painted, that saturated color will live on its own next to your wood floors, trim and furniture, not in a fan deck lineup.
So test a bigger sample on the wall as you start to narrow it down. Your paint color will never look the same in two different rooms. Look at them morning, noon, and night before you commit. Color relies on light and the context it is placed in. A little planning now can mean loving your space for years to come.
Hi, I am Jacqueline. I am the owner and lead designer at Spruced Interiors. I have over eight years of experience in high end design and color consultations. Staging became a passion project of mine. I am excited to bring my knowledge from the custom design world into the Real Estate environment and help buyers imagine their future.
Spruced Interiors focuses on transforming houses into highly desired homes for potential buyers. The style is timeless and with vibrant pops of color to catch a buyer’s eye.
