How to properly decorate an apartment with north-facing windows?

General tips for arrangement

Windows facing north in an apartment seem like an insoluble problem to many: indeed, it is impossible to turn the space to the other side of the world. But with the right approach to design, a dark room can become cozy and comfortable:

• Decorate rooms on the northern part with warm, light colors.
• Add contrast by combining light trim and dark furniture or vice versa.
• Use light and transparent curtains (for example, tulle, thread curtains, voile or organza), or refuse them altogether so as not to interfere with the sunlight.
• Artificially illuminate all areas where additional light is needed, including paintings on the walls, free-standing furniture, etc.
• Feel free to use reflective surfaces: mirrors, glossy furniture and trim.

Of course, each point needs clarification: let’s start with determining the color for the northern room.

What color should I choose for my room?

The color of the walls in the northern room is the first and main question that needs to be solved. The easiest option that comes to mind is light warm colors. White (vanilla, lily, antique), beige, pastel shades of yellow, orange, even red (but not cold pink!).

The photo shows an accent wall in the bedroom

The second problem that the palette will help solve on the north side is the lack of contrast. This explains why light walls in champagne or apricot shades look faded and dull. To make the interior more lively, play with brighter shades of medium or high saturation in the design:

• yellow – canary, amber, mustard, saffron;
• orange – carrot, salmon, orange, coral;
• red – scarlet, tomato, garnet;
• brown – chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, cognac, ocher.

Bright cold tones (blue, green) can also be used, but as small accents.

What is the best way to decorate a window?

Leave the windows of rooms on the north side as open as possible. The best option is not to curtain them at all. This is exactly what they do in Scandinavian countries, where the lack of sunlight in houses is a common problem for all citizens.

We recommend freeing up not only the window opening, but also the window sill: tall plants or decor located here block the flow of street light.

The photo shows a Scandinavian-style living room without curtains

If you still need curtains, choose those that do not block natural daylight: light organza or lace tulle will be just right.

The exception is bedrooms and other rooms for sleeping (children’s rooms, living rooms in one-room apartments). To ensure that nothing can disturb your morning sleep, choose thick curtains or blackouts. The latter are more expensive and are absolutely not necessary on the north side – they primarily protect from the sun, which is not there anyway.

The color of the curtains is neutral to match the walls or, conversely, deliberately bright. It is not advisable to use deep tones – they will make an already dark room even more gloomy.

Lighting recommendations

The color of the room on the north side plays an important role, but if you do not support it with competent artificial lighting, the design idea may fall apart.

The central ceiling chandelier is complemented by or are replaced with spotlights along the ceiling contour: the more sources, the visually brighter the room appears.

Important! Mirrors and other reflective surfaces reflect light, making it brighter.

The photo shows the room lighting in warm tones

The type and location of additional lamps depends on the functionality of the room on the north side:

• Bedroom. Table lamps on bedside tables or sconces, backlighting of the mirror on the dressing table, shelves in the closet.
• Living room. Wall lamps above the sofa, floor lamps in the soft area, table lamps on the desk, decorative lighting of accent walls or decor.
• Children’s room. Night light by the crib, directional light above the desk, sconces in the playroom.
• Kitchen. Backlighting of the work area, island, cabinets when opened, chandelier above the dining table.

An option applicable in all rooms is a lightbox. It can be designed as a ceiling or wall false window, or simply placed in a niche in the ceiling. Soft light diffusion achieved by the matte box creates a pleasant, cozy atmosphere.

Important! To successfully grow indoor trees in a room on the north wall, they must be illuminated with special lamps of the red-blue spectrum.

What kind of finish should I use?

Once the color palette has been decided, the finishing materials should be selected. With the walls in living rooms, everything is standard – paint or wallpaper. In the kitchen, you can add glossy tiles to the apron or the wall above the kitchen unit.

An accent wall option is often used, when 3 vertical surfaces are made light, and one is brightly painted yellow or orange. The reflection from it will make other surfaces and objects in the room become warmer and more lively. Paint, wallpaper, photo wallpaper, decorative plaster, and clapboard are suitable for accent decoration.

Another common material is glass. It looks less deliberate than a mirror, but reflects just as well. For example, you can zone a studio with glass block partitions.

The photo shows a light interior of a nursery with bright accents

Make the ceiling not just white, but warm: for this, you can drop a little yellow color into the paint. The second option – a glossy stretch fabric – will make the room on the north wall higher and brighter.

There are 2 flooring options:

1. Medium saturation. Standard wooden or imitation materials in the color of alder, oak, walnut, beech – a practical and easy-to-care-for solution.
2. Bleached coating. The bleached shades of the same trees also help to reflect light from the floor, which will have a positive effect on the appearance of the room.

If appropriate, lay a carpet on the floor: a warm light shade (cream, sand) or a bright one – even red with an oriental pattern will do.

What furniture is better choose?

The main criterion for choosing furniture that stands in the center of the room (sofa, table, armchairs) is height. At a minimum, the back should be lower than the window sill, but it is better to choose not almost flush, but 15-30 cm lower.

The photo shows a living room in Scandinavian style

The second important nuance for the north side is color. It concerns all interior items: from central ones to those installed along the walls. The lighter they are, the less bulky they look, which means they do not visually clutter the space.

Choose light cabinet furniture with glossy doors, and dilute the upholstered furniture with bright textiles: sofa cushions, blankets, a contrasting headboard.