[…] GUIDELINE: WHAT ARE THE BEST PAINT COLORS FOR SOUTH FACING ROOMS? […]
July 22, 2021
What are the Best Paint Colors for South Facing Rooms?
This article is dedicated to choosing the best paint colors for the south-facing rooms of your home. I have personally handpicked the 10 Best Sherwin Williams paint color ideas for south-facing rooms. One of the coziest rooms of our homes that receive a considerable amount of sunlight is the south-facing room. These rooms are one of the easiest to choose a paint color for – and equally intriguing! Most of my clients wonder what paint color they should choose for south-facing rooms as they receive a warm – yellow-toned light.
Think of your homes for a while – Can you locate a room that is overly warm? Yes – that’s because it is facing the south. This is the time when the sun is at its peak around noon and the incoming light is quite yellow and warm. Before this, the light is quite bright and post noon, you will notice a gleaming glow – somewhere in the late afternoon. Long story short, south-facing rooms face yellow light most of the time in the day!
South-Facing Light and Paint Colors
Choosing a paint color for the south-facing room can be quite fun! Of course, you need a slightly cooler-toned paint color to neutralize with the incoming warm light. Secondly, the south-facing light around the early afternoon can be quite bright and shiny. Hence, making the paint colors appear washed out! In the early morning, you can expect the paint colors to feel slightly muted. On the other hand, in the afternoons and early evenings, you must expect the paint color to appear glowy, shiny, and quite bright with a ‘yellow’ touch. Moreover, the south-facing rooms in the evenings are equally well-lit and bright. Follow these do’s and don’ts to consider –
- Choose cool-toned whites with a blue, green, gray, or purple undertone or even stark white paint colors
- Avoid off-white paint colors with a yellow or red undertone
- Pastels such as peach, soft blue-gray, green-gray, and light gray should work
- You may avoid warm greens, warm greige, beige, or khaki paint colors
Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing the Best Paint Colors for South Facing Rooms
Well, it is not really a difficult task to do! South-facing room paints look washed out in the middle of the day – while in the afternoon, the yellow light looks too bright! So, I would highly recommend you pick cool-toned hues to balance them with the incoming warmth. (Adding a warmer shade will further increase the visual warmth of your rooms and create uneasiness – which of course, is not good for your health)
However, I would highly recommend buying real-time paint swatches and samples to determine how the paint color appears in each compass direction of your home. Also, do sample the paint swatches in the north-facing rooms for various times of the day. You may observe them for hours and hours or maybe even days! A paint color that appears spectacularly bold in the morning might look washed out in the afternoon. (Yes, that happens)
If you have ample windows in your south-facing room, it is quite likely that you are going to feel overwhelmed and warm – so choose a paint color that is cool or has blue, gray, purple, or green undertones.
BUT…
It also gets washed out before noon – So, what to do? Choose a Paint Color that has a medium-toned LRV
That way – you get the BEST of both worlds – No washing away and apparently a cool-toned hue! (You could also pick a dark color here as it will neutralize the ample light received) On the other hand, in the case of rooms with not enough windows or natural light – you could choose a mid-toned LRV paint color that balances its boldness with the little light that is received! Try to avoid very dark colors here due to the absence of excessive natural light! Let’s now discuss the 10 best paint colors that you could use in your south-facing rooms.
10 Best Sherwin Williams Paint Colors for South Facing Rooms
-
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a beautiful, breezy, and coastal green-gray paint color that can feel just so refreshing. This is one of the best paint colors for the south-facing rooms – especially if you embrace a cool and calming vibe. With an LRV of 63, this color can also make your south-facing room appear larger and brighter!
SW Sea Salt can look slightly muted in the early morning hours. On the other hand, as the sun is at its peak in the afternoon and later hours, expect the gray undertones to get washed away! Yes, this color will quite likely change with the movement of the sun.
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Sea Salt!
-
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
Sherwin Williams Repose Gray is a greige/warm gray paint color with a major inclination for gray rather than beige. This soothing greige paint color can appear quite warm and creamy in the bright afternoon and evening hours. Hence, the incoming warm and ‘yellow’ light will counteract the cool undertones and make the neutral appear warm, calm, and cozy.
With an LRV of 58, this color has considerable depth so the undertones don’t wash off easily. In the late afternoon hours, this greige paint color will appear warmer than usual. Generally, the sneaky green-gray undertone will quite likely appear more taupe!
-
Sherwin Williams Snowbound
Sherwin Williams Snowbound is a neutral to slightly cool-toned white paint color with just a touch of gray undertone to it. Especially if you have a smaller south-facing room with little incoming natural light – this soft white paint color should work phenomenally. This is definitely not a frosty or icy cool white paint color but rather has a touch of taupe undertone that makes it slightly warmer.
SW Snowbound has an LRV of 83 – hence, it can brighten up the dull corners and make them appear lively. Snowbound is one of the best white paint colors for a south-facing room.
-
Sherwin Williams Origami White
Sherwin Williams Origami White is one of my absolute favorite white paint colors for a south-facing room. The cool violet undertone can neutralize with the incoming warm light – hence, creating a beautiful appeal on the walls. So, if you’re not fond of the brightness of SW Snowbound and are looking for an off-white paint color that is slightly darker – Origami White should definitely be on your list!
With an LRV of 76, you can create a slight contrast by pairing Origami White with Sherwin Williams Pure White on the trims and ceiling.
-
Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist
Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist is an airy, refreshing, and inviting warm gray paint color that isn’t too light or dark. Hence, if you’re looking for a “non-white” and yet a timeless look in your south-facing room – this neutral paint color should definitely be on the top of your list. Quite ideal in the south-facing rooms with little or a lot of natural light!
With an LRV of 69 – ensure to pair this light greige color with Pure White on the trims, moldings, and ceilings. This color will look just so classic in the bright afternoon hours!
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist!
-
Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray
One of the most popular warm gray/greige paint colors by Sherwin Williams, Worldly Gray is definitely a great option for a well-lit south-facing room. Especially if you’re looking to have a warmer color palette in the south-facing room, this particular greige will hold itself pretty well.
With an LRV of 57, this paint color may showcase a tinge of green undertone. However, it can be quite subjective so you must sample out the color before trying it! In a south-facing room with low incoming natural light – Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray may come off quite dull and muddy!
-
Sherwin Williams First Star
Sherwin Williams First Star is a clear and crisp, cool white paint color with a hint of gray undertone. It’s remarkably fresh and jovial – hence, ideal if you have a brightly lit south-facing room. So, if you’re not looking to resell your home and prefer a cooler gray paint color – this is definitely one of the best paint color choices.
First Star has an LRV of 69 – hence, can also hold the gray undertone well in the early and late afternoon hours. With the warm incoming natural light – this gray paint color wouldn’t look too frosty or icy!
-
Sherwin Williams Upward
Now that we’ve had our hands on various neutrals (beige, greige, and grays) for a south-facing room – it’s time to discuss the other color categories. Sherwin Williams Upward is a cool-toned blue-gray paint color with a notable periwinkle/purple undertone. The undertone is what makes this color slightly crisp and chilly.
With an LRV of 57 – this is definitely a medium-toned paint color that would hold itself pretty well, even in a brightly lit south-facing room. The incoming warm light will calm down the ‘chilly’ effect of this paint color. Hence, making this hue so refreshing, soft, and calm!
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Upward!
-
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed
Sherwin Williams Rainwashed is a blue-green paint color with just a touch of gray undertones. This cool green color is simply so refreshing and stunning! And believe me, with the incoming south-facing warmth – the undertones are bound to further look flawless (and majorly green). This is a medium to light-toned paint color with an LRV of 59!
Also, note that SW Rainwashed is bound to appear slightly muted and calm in the early morning hours and as the day passes, cheerful and lively! Definitely one of the best blue-green paint colors for a south-facing room.
Check out my FULL Paint Color Review Here – Sherwin Williams Rainwashed!
-
Sherwin Williams Slate Tile
Sherwin Williams Slate Tile is a cool blue-gray paint color with just a hint of green undertones. This slate blue color with muted undertones is bound to work wonderfully in a south-facing room. So, if you’re looking for a bold paint color for a south-facing room – this is definitely one of the best color choices. With an LRV of 15 – you must use this color as an accent in a brightly lit south-facing room.
SW Slate Tile muted undertones will counteract with the incoming warm light – hence, showcasing more blue than gray. Even the cabinets and vanity in SW Slate Tile should work wonderfully.
Let me know which south-facing room is ideal for your space or have a look at my interior decoration and color consulting packages so we can get one-on-one and choose the best paint color for your south-facing room!
Benjamin Moore Best Paint Color List E-Design Home Decor Content Writing Online Interior Design Paint Color Consultation Sherwin Williams
Reader Interactions
Leave a Comment
Comments
Trackbacks
-
-
[…] the south-facing rooms, you’re quite likely to observe the beautiful warmth that’s tucked in the color. Here is where […]
-
[…] of the best places to use these Sherwin Williams blues is in the south-facing rooms since it can create a subtle experience – […]
-
[…] Especially for farmhouse, rustic, or transitional design styles – this whole house paint color plays a phenomenal role. It pairs beautifully with SW Pure White on the ceiling, trims, and moldings and SW Iron Ore/SW Tricorn Black on the window frames. You must use this color in your home if it receives a considerable amount of natural light throughout the day! Moreover, note that it may look gray in the north-facing spaces and greige in the south-facing spaces. […]
-
[…] the south-facing rooms, expect the SW Iron Ore to appear fresh and bold – neutral charcoal gray paint […]
-
[…] the south-facing rooms, SW Taupe of the Morning can look just the perfect ‘greige’ with a balance of beige and gray. […]
-
[…] the south-facing rooms, SW Urbane Bronze is expected to appear much warmer with its rich bronze and warm gray […]
-
[…] the south-facing rooms, this black paint color will come off brighter and more energetic. However, the ‘neutral’ […]
-
[…] the south-facing rooms, SW Retreat can potentially look much lighter and brighter with the incoming warm early afternoon […]
-
[…] undertones, shades of aqua blue, pink, lighter taupe colors, and beige. Try using this color in the south-facing rooms for the best result! Trust me, this taupe wall paint will never disappoint […]
I have a southern exposure living room with tall windows that are Green energy, lots of trees, artifical
Grass & pool. Paints turn green, pink
Yellow. Please help with a beautiful
White. I prefer a gray tone if any no yellow. I tried lots of paint. Please advise.
Hi Connie, You can consider Sherwin Williams Big Chill or Sherwin Williams First Star for the south-facing living room 🙂
Hi Nishtha, I am looking for a paint color for our combined dining living kitchen-south facing lake cottage. Lots of windows but not much direct sunlight. The carpet is a sandy color and the furniture is gray’s and blue’s with dark wood trim. But white trim around the windows… help!
Hi Andrea,
SW 9165 Gossamer Veil could be a perfect color for this space! It has a perfect blend of gray and beige to complement your existing furnishings while not giving that ‘too chilly’ or ‘too warm’ look. It has an LRV of 62 that holds considerable amount of depth to give your walls a makeover 🙂
I have a south facing master bedroom I just had my master bathroom remodeled it’s mostly white (simply white) but the floor is 18×18 blue/grey French vintage design on white tiles, I love seaside cottage design. I was thinking of simply white shiplap wall behind my bed and the other 3 walls a light blue-grey? With sterling oak floors
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for reaching out 🙂 Paint colors like SW Tradewind or SW Topsail would do for a coastal vibe in your south-facing bedroom!
Hello Nishta,
I have a south facing primary bedroom with bay windows and LOTS of sunlight.
The bedroom is on the second floor and its gets terribly hot here in Texas.
I am in the process of remodel, can you please suggest a color to help keep this room cool :). I am totally up for dark colors.
Thank you in advance
Hi Nia,
Thank you for reaching out 🙂 You must use clean whites like SW Extra White and blues/gray as an accent to go with this south-facing room 🙂
Best,
Nish
I have a balcony(with southern exposure) that we enclosed into an exercise room and we want to paint the brick and wood ceiling a beige color that matches the paneling on the windows. What do you recommend? I am trying to find a color that matches the paneling and does not look too yellow with the sun exposure. My choices are Shoji White or Accessible Beige.
Hi Amita,
If the size of your room is medium or large – you can consider picking Accessible Beige/River’s Edge/Worldly Gray! However, if the size of your room is comparatively smaller – you can definitely pick SW Shoji White that doesn’t look yellow at all.
I have two offices and a living room. One office is South West facing, one office is North West facing, and the Living room is South facing.
I looooove SW Halcyon Green, Creamy, and Agreeable Gray, but I’m thinking of doing AG or Creamy almost everywhere else in the common rooms, and wanted something darker and cozier for my office spaces and the Living Room. Note that the Living Room is open to the Kitchen/Dining/ and Entry! What would you do?
Hi Di,
Thank you for getting in touch! Since you’re picking SW Agreeable Gray and SW Creamy as a base everywhere in your home – I recommend that you choose something like SW Urbane Bronze or SW Peppercorn/SW Gauntlet Gray on the focal wall of the home office and continue SW Creamy on the adjacent walls.
Let me know if you need something else 🙂