Before you start decorating your new home, it’s important to understand both the orientation of each room and the aspect of its windows. These determine the direction your room and windows face, which in turn affects the amount and quality of natural light, as it moves in an arc throughout the day. This natural light can significantly influence how paint colours look and how the room feels overall.
Not sure which way your windows face? Most smartphones have a compass app built in, so point it towards your window to find out where your light is coming from. If it says South, your window faces South. You may be getting light from several directions in the room, which will give you even more flexibility on colour options.
North-facing rooms
North-facing rooms are the most consistent in natural light but also the coolest (so try to avoid anything with a blue or grey undertone). Their light is soft and diffused all day, with no direct sun, which can sometimes make colours appear grey, muted, or flat. But that doesn’t mean these rooms can’t feel warm, welcoming, and alive. With the right tones, textures, and lighting, they can become calm, comforting sanctuaries, perfect for moments of rest, creativity, or reflection.
Frenchic colours that work:
South-facing rooms
South-facing rooms are the holy grail of room orientations. Light here tends to be bright and clear, making colour selection easier. You can usually choose almost any shade confidently.
Cooler undertones work particularly well in these rooms, balancing the warmth of the light. Blues, greens, soft pinks, and moody teals all shine in south-facing spaces.
Tip: Use plenty of natural textures in a south-facing room like linen, brushed cotton and jute to keep things light and fresh.
East-facing rooms
Think about how you’re going to use your east-facing room, as these spaces tend to receive more morning sunlight, so a cheerful yellow can bring a touch of sunshine, even on grey days. In the afternoon, as the light fades and cools, soft blues and greens can have a calming effect.
West-facing rooms
Light in west-facing rooms changes dramatically between morning and evening. Mornings can feel cool and shadowed, while evenings glow with golden light, ideal for creating warm, welcoming atmospheres.
Choosing soft, grounding neutrals works well to balance this shift. Nature-inspired shades look especially beautiful when bathed in the golden afternoon sun.
Quick tips:
- South-facing rooms – Most sunlight (warm yellow or golden light)
- North-facing rooms – Least sunlight (cool, bluish light)
- East-facing rooms – Early sunlight (soft, gentle light in the morning)
- West-facing rooms – Late sunlight (warm, glowing light in the late afternoon).
Don’t forget to factor in tall trees or greenery outside, as they can affect how much light your space actually receives.
Chosen your colours? Order them in Frenchic’s Peel & Stick Samples, they’re a 100% perfect colour match and you can test them different walls in your house and observe how the shade changes in the morning, afternoon, and evening light.
Happy Choosing!
