North-facing bedroom/sitting room

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North-facing bedroom/sitting room

by Elizabeth
(Scotland)

I have a small North facing room which I have emptied of everything, I would like it as a little snug, and guest bedroom. All I have at at moment is a small double red fold down sofa bed.

Don't know which colours to use for walls (I have a dado rail painted white), don't know what kind of lighting or lamps, in fact the room is totally bare and needing a complete makeover. I cannot match colours.

I know it is a lot, but I would be most grateful for any help. Thanks

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North-facing bedroom/sitting room

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Oct 10, 2011
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Warm and welcoming...
by: Charlotte

Hello Elizabeth

Firstly, well done for clearing your room - that's half the battle sometimes!

Don't worry, it won't be too difficult to create a lovely little guest bedroom and 'snug' from your room.

Yellows, pinks and reds are said to be great colors to use in North-facing rooms - so I think it's this warm color scheme you should consider when choosing your colors...

Warm colors - colors with warm, red and orange tones in (compared to 'cool' blues) - will help your room have a nice, cosy feel, and will help keep it bright and welcoming in that cool northern light.

As an extra bonus it will go really well with your red sofa bed, which you already have.

You could actually choose any of these colors, but, especially if your room is a little on the small side, I suggest a soft, sandy neutral color...

Something like these from Dulux - Dulux warm neutrals collection

Keep the color pale enough to keep the room feeling spacious - but with just enough warming color to help it feel welcoming and cosy.

You can accent easily with red and russet colors in any accessories, curtains, cushions, throws etc - to keep a cohesive look going for your room.

Use a tester pot to try out a few of the colors you think you might like, actually in your room. Check it out at different times of the day and in different weather conditions before you decide.

Do bear in mind that the color will usually appear a couple of shades darker once you've painted the room, than on your test patch - so just be aware, and if in doubt, go a couple of shades lighter than the one you originally thought!

For your lighting, I suggest a central pendant light, but suggest that you also add some task lighting and mood lighting, too, to suit how you intend to use the room.

If you intend to read or do other craft work in the room, choose either a desk light (if you will be having a table of some kind) - or a standard lamp, or wall lights, behind your chair, will also serve this purpose.

For use as a guest bedroom, try to have a bedside lamp or table lamp which can be positioned next to the bed.

Using a table lamp and/or standard lamp or wall lights can also provide your 'mood lighting' - a cosier, more intimate atmosphere, suitable for relaxing evenings.

I hope some of these ideas help - do come back and ask again if you'd like any more help.

You can also read more on these pages, which you may find useful:

About Using Color

About Choosing Lighting

About Creating Guest Bedrooms

Hope it helps. Good luck with your decorating. Do come back and tell us how you got on, and how your room turned out.

Best wishes

Charlotte

Oct 10, 2011
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thnak you
by: Elizabeth

Hello Charlotte,
Thank you for your reply, I am just going to go through everything you have said and see how it looks.
May be back again.
Elizabeth

Oct 11, 2011
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You're welcome
by: Charlotte

You're welcome Elizabeth - yes, please do come back and ask if there's anything you're not sure about or if you need more help.

Charlotte :o)

Oct 24, 2011
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Further developments...
by: Charlotte

See how Elizabeth's design has developed - click here to read more about what happened next in Elizabeth's design...

Return to the main Decorating with Color page

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North-facing bedroom/sitting room

Comments for North-facing bedroom/sitting room

Comments for
North-facing bedroom/sitting room