Embrace the gentle morning light with soft, warm shades
If you’re feeling brave, paint the ceiling too
Walls in matt emulsion in Denim Drift and Blush Pink, £36.49 for 2.5L; Woodwork in Quick Dry eggshell in White Cotton, £17.11 for 750ml, all Dulux
East-facing rooms are filled with light in the morning, which slowly fades throughout the day. Morning light is slightly cool in tone, with a green or blue tint. These tints aren’t as strong as in north-facing rooms (see p36), so you won’t need to try so hard to warm up east-facing spaces, but it’s something to bear in mind when choosing your palette. Pale and pastel tones with red or yellow undertones tend to work best in these rooms as they’ll even out the cooler notes in the light. Most manufacturers will explain the undertones of each paint in the product description.
When choosing your colours, begin by thinking about what time of day you’re going to use the space. East-facing bedrooms are ideal if you struggle to get out of bed in the mornings as they’ll brighten as the sun rises but this means that strong yellow hues in these rooms can feel too strong. Opt for warm blues and greens, or beige-tinted whites instead. These colours will feel light and airy in the mornings and restful in the evening.
An east-facing room is a brilliant space for cosy living room. It will be shaded in the evening, creating a relaxed atmosphere which helps to make your lighting choices pop. Look for light beige and cream tones to use in these rooms, with a touch of coral or red to add warmth to the indirect evening light.
