Choosing colours for west-facing rooms

West-facing spaces experience varying light throughout the course of each day. In the afternoon, these rooms are bathed in the beautiful golden warmth of the afternoon sun. Throughout the rest of the day, however, the space can often feel a little cool.

This variation can make it harder to select a paint shade that will constantly complement the space, providing just the right amount of warmth.

Read guidance from our Creative Director, Ruth, as she shares some of her most-loved colours for west-facing interiors, along with complementary neutrals.

Ruth Mottershead.

China Clay Colour Scales

“Using shades from the same colour family is a good way to approach west-facing rooms. Our ‘Colour Scales’ offer a range of colours within families of graduated tones, made using the same pigments in different strengths. These groups of colours are easy to use in combination, helping you effortlessly achieve cohesive, harmonious schemes to complement rooms with varying light.

For a west-facing interior, I would recommend our China Clay Colour Scales. These subtle pink hues have a soft, elegant appearance that provides warmth in the morning, and is beautifully enhanced by the afternoon sun. Introduce shades from this family on the walls, ceiling and woodwork to bring subtle depth to the room without it becoming too impactful.”

Explore the palette

Sumptuous deep teals

“Green is a very neutral shade – being neither too warm nor too cool, it’s a versatile colour that can be used in many interior spaces. Containing both blue and green undertones, deep teals work wonderfully in west-facing rooms. They bring inviting warmth to schemes during cooler times of day, then look sumptuous and vibrant during the afternoon when the warm yellow light hits.

Bold colours like Canton, Tea with Florence, Mid Azure Green and Goblin will shift in appearance as the day progresses, from serene blue to rich, alluring green. In bedrooms and living rooms, consider using these hues all over to create a space with a cocooning, wraparound quality.”

Using green in a scheme

“Green combines harmoniously with neutral tones. We are very comfortable with this combination, as we are used to seeing it in our exterior environment. In west-facing kitchens, consider incorporating green on the cabinetry to give a sense of bringing the outdoors in, reflecting the energy of the space. Then introduce a coordinating neutral like Portland Stone or Joanna on the walls.

If the aim is tonality, selecting a neutral with similar undertones will ensure that your scheme ties together harmoniously. But if you’re looking to introduce a more playful colour pairing, green and pink is a natural combination for an inviting, contemporary scheme. You might consider incorporating a pink and green wallpaper to bring characterful texture to your walls.”

Aquamarine Colour Scales

“For something a little more subdued that still offers personality, consider Aquamarine. This gentle blue-green has a true calming effect. It can work wonderfully in bedrooms and bathrooms to cool your mind and soothe your senses. You could pair it with a deeper hue like Ambleside on the lower wall, or drench the room in shades from the Aquamarine Colour Scales. For a complementary neutral on the ceiling or woodwork, try Slaked Lime – Mid.”

Warm neutral hues

“Warm neutrals are a wonderful choice for west-facing rooms if you’re looking to create a sense of peace and relaxation. Natural stone colours such as Bath Stone are perfect for creating restful living spaces that bring comfort to a scheme, complementing natural and artificial light. For an uplifting but gentle environment, consider earthy neutrals paired with deeper hues to create a contemporary look. Clay – Mid can pair with Scullery, Lute or Purple Brown to create a harmonious feel that’s comforting and timeless.”