That shade of beige you picked out at the store may not look the same in every room.

Depending on which direction your home faces, you're going to get different types of light. A general rule is to test swatches on the wall of your specific room to make sure it looks right before you buy all the paint you need.

But how can you tell which hues will work and which won't before you invest your time and love into a paint colour? Here are the general rules you need to follow when it comes to picking paint based on the directional light your room gets, plus the colours that work the best.

Best Paint Colours For North-Facing Rooms

Rooms with windows to the north tend to get light throughout the day. However, it isn't usually direct and bright, it's often is softer and cooler, bringing out the same traits in whatever colour you pick. 

Avoid colours with blue or grey bases—they can skew too cool already. If you want to brighten up your space, try a hue with soft yellow, pink, or orange undertones. They'll warm up your room and help bring in what feels like more light.

If you want to lean into the moodiness of your north-facing room, go for a darker paint colour that still skews warm. 

Paint colours to use for northern exposure:

• Kingsport Gray HC-86 by Benjamin Moore
• Swiss Coffee 12 by Behr
• Bamboozle No. 304 by Farrow & Ball

Best Paint Colours For South-Facing Rooms

If your room has mostly southern exposure, you probably love the natural light you get throughout the majority of the day—it's bright, strong, and makes you feel like you're sitting outside. Because of this, you'll want to pick a paint colour that balances the warmth.

Try a blue or grey-toned hue, or anything with cool tones, if you want the bring a neutral feel to your space. Colours that skew darker won't look as washed out in the strong light.

Paint colours to use for southern exposure:

• Natural Tan SW 7567 by Sherwin-Williams
• Cloud Cover OC-25 by Benjamin Moore
• Yarmouth Blue HC-150 by Benjamin Moore

Best Paint Colours For West-Facing Rooms

Rooms with western exposure might be a little dark in the morning, but come afternoon and evening, they are bathed in warm, direct light. Instead of picking one paint colour that works for all west-facing rooms, it's important to note when you'll be using the space the most.

A warm tone will create coziness in the morning and show off the brilliant afternoon light, whereas a cooler shade will balance out the afternoon amber hues and have more blue and silver tones in the earlier part of the day.

Paint colours to use for western exposure:

• Moonshine OC-56 by Benjamin Moore 
• Natural Linen SW 9109 by Sherwin-Williams
• Templeton Pink No. 303 by Farrow & Ball

Best Paint Colours For East-Facing Rooms

If your room has eastern exposure, you're going to notice the opposite of a west-facing room. Think: warm, direct light in the morning and cooler tones in the evening. If this room is used most in the morning, you might want to pick a colour with less warm undertones than if you use it in the evening. 

However, a colour that plays into the vibe of the lighting can also be a good choice. It can add a extra layer of coziness or calmness to a space. We also love a bright shade that plays into the morning time.

Paint colours to use for eastern exposure:

• White Sand OC-10 by Benjamin Moore
• Shale 861 by Benjamin Moore
• Whirlybird No. 309 by Farrow & Ball

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