We're having so much fun with the Fall Colors contest, finding inspiration in the vivid homes of our readers. We love a colorful home. But, often, how much color you can use in your home is only partially a matter of personal preference (and what you want to reveal to others). Sometimes how much light your home naturally receives can also be a deciding factor...
Considering Color For Your Home? Factor In The Sun
Not only how much sun but in what direction the light comes from can make a difference in how color is perceived. If your windows face north, the blue light that streams through your windows all day will cool down that hot pink you were considering. East facing windows receive warm yellowish light, mostly in the morning. The light that comes through west-facing windows is usually strongest in the afternoon, adding a warm-orange red cast that's perfect for napping while windows that look south receive warm orange-yellow light all day, especially welcome to those with green thumbs.
[image: A Bold and Colorful Austin Home]
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wow, this is really great. I tend to not like really bright walls (anymore) and a plethora of loud textiles (usually a little dab will do me), but this is outstanding. Love it.
view kimg924's profile
So what color should I paint my west facing room? It does take on a warm orange red cast in the late afternoons!
view yukirei's profile
love the orange! and the mirror table!
view dM's profile
Is this article not finished?
What colors are best, then?
Anybody there...??? lol
view ohjodi's profile
The amount of light makes a big difference too. I have a west-facing living room with a walled balcony that cuts off a lot of light - it can be kind of dim. I've opted for high-contrast so far... spots of deep jewel tones... and I like it.
view whytephoenix's profile
Ok, I think what what Abby means is...
You can paint the rooms any color you want, but you need to adjust the colors. For example, if you want that northern exposure in the hot pink, you will need to select a color that has a bit more orange in it (ie. a coral tone) to balance out the blue and get the effect you want. (Or realize that a pink that looks 'too hot' in the store may be more subdued in this space.) Conversely, any blues in an east-facing room will warm up (ie. go toward aqua).
Of course, you could choose shades that are similar to the natural light you get, to make it... more so. Orange in a west-facing room will be really, really dazzlingly orange, and blue in a north-facing room may be a little melancholy.
view whytephoenix's profile