Unlocking the Power of Your Room’s Orientation: A Guide to North, South, East, and West-Facing Spaces

Hello,

It’s Tash here. I want to take you behind the scenes of how I really approach colour in the homes I work with—because after thousands of consultations, I’ve seen just about every “impossible” room and “awkward” orientation you can imagine, and I promise: there’s always a way to make it work beautifully.

But first, here are some things that have caught my eye this week:

Let’s bust a myth I hear all the time: there’s no such thing as a “bad” room orientation. I’ve lost count of how many times estate agents have waxed lyrical about a south-facing living room, only to dismiss a north-facing one as a lost cause.

In my experience, every orientation has its own unique magic—you just need to lean into what makes each space special, rather than trying to force it to be something it’s not.

First, grab your compass app on your phone and find your room's true orientation.

Now let’s break down the orientations together, just as I would with you in your own home:

North-facing rooms:

These rooms get a cool, even light that can make colours feel flat or a bit chilly. I usually recommend avoiding very cold or grey-based shades. What I’ve found works best is embracing that subtle light with rich, mid-toned colours—think creamy neutrals, gentle pinks, or even a soulful deep green. These shades bring a comforting glow back in, making the space feel inviting, not icy.

East-facing rooms:
Bathed in bright, fresh light in the morning that softens as the day goes on. I love using soft greens, peaches, or pinks here—colours that feel energising at breakfast and stay warm and welcoming as the day progresses. Always test your colours at different times; you’ll notice subtle shifts you might not expect.

South-facing rooms:
These are the sunniest rooms, filled with bright, direct light for most of the day. Rich, saturated colours thrive here. If you want a calming effect, balance all that sunshine with cooler tones—gentle blues or fresh greens work beautifully to keep the space feeling bright but not overwhelming.

West-facing rooms:
Think golden hour magic. These rooms are filled with a warm, soft glow in the late afternoon and evening. Please don’t feel you have to “correct” the golden hour glow with cooler colours (unless you want to!). Personally, I love leaning into that drama with earthy tones, deep Teals, rich yellows or terracotta—these colours come alive in the late afternoon light and make the room feel wonderfully cosy and dramatic.

Some of my favourite projects have been with dual aspect rooms, or those that sit right on the cusp of two compass points. These spaces are dynamic—the light changes throughout the day, and so does the mood. My advice? Spend time really observing how the light shifts, and think about when you use the space most.

If you’re ever in doubt, greens and pinks are my secret weapons—they tend to balance different types of light beautifully. And don’t overlook balanced colours with both cool and warm undertones (like certain yellows and greys); they’re incredibly versatile and rarely put a foot wrong, no matter the orientation. 

Here’s something I always tell my clients: we obsess over daylight, but artificial light is just as crucial. Lighting isn’t just about seeing where you’re going—it shapes the mood, supports your wellbeing, and can totally transform how colour feels in your home. I’ve seen first-hand how the wrong lighting can leave a space feeling cold or on edge, while layered, warm lighting creates a sense of comfort and calm.

Our circadian rhythm—the body’s natural clock—doesn’t care if the light is coming from the sun or a bulb. If you fill your evenings with harsh, blue-toned light, your brain will think it’s still daytime, making it harder to wind down. In my own home (and in every project I work on), I always recommend warm, layered lighting: a mix of floor and table lamps, wall-mounted uplighters, and a few flickering candles for good measure. Overhead lights on their own? They kill the mood, every time.

Don’t forget the colour of your bulbs! Most “white” bulbs are either warm or cool toned—choose warm white for relaxing spaces, and keep cooler whites for task lighting. If you want flexibility, smart bulbs are brilliant; you can tweak the tone and brightness throughout the day, just like the sun.

After speaking with so many of you, the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that no colour exists in isolation. The floors, the furniture, the art, the light—these all play a part in how your chosen paint ends up feeling. That’s why I always, always urge you to use tester samples. Move them around, check them at different times of day, and see how they look under both daylight and artificial light. The “perfect” colour is the one that works with everything else in your space—and with the way you actually live in it.

Try something I do with every client: spend a day really noticing your space. Watch how the light moves, how the mood shifts, and how you feel in different corners at different times. Move your samples around, and don’t be afraid to try something unexpected—sometimes the most magical results come from leaning into what your room naturally wants to be.

Remember, there’s no such thing as a “bad” room—only rooms waiting for you to discover their potential. I’ve helped thousands of people find their perfect palette, and I promise: once you start seeing colour this way, you’ll never look at your home the same again.

Tash x

All images from Pinterest unless mentioned in the tag.