How to decorate an apartment with windows to the north?

General tips for setting up

The windows to the north in the apartment seem to many to be an insoluble problem: indeed, it will not work to turn the space to the other side of the world. But with the right approach to design, a dark room will turn into a cozy and comfortable one:

• Decorate the rooms on the north side with warm, light colors.
• Add contrast by combining light finishes and dark furniture, or vice versa.
• Use lightweight sheer curtains (e.g. tulle, curtains-threads, veil or organza), or discard them altogether so as not to interfere with sunlight.
• Artificially illuminate all areas where additional light is needed, including paintings on walls, freestanding furniture, etc.
• Feel free to use reflective surfaces: mirrors, glossy furniture and finishes.

Of course, each point needs clarification: let's start by defining a color for the northern room.

Which room color should you choose?

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

In the photo there is an accent wall in the bedroom

The second problem the palette will help solve on the north side is the lack of contrast. This explains why a light wall in a champagne or apricot shade looks faded and dull. For a more vibrant interior, play around with brighter medium to high saturation hues:

• yellow - canary, amber, mustard, saffron;
• orange - carrot, salmon, orange, coral;
• red - scarlet, tomato, pomegranate;
• 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 the window?

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

We advise you to clear not only the window opening, but also the window sill: tall plants or decorlocated here are blocking the flow of street light.

On the picture living room in scandinavian style without curtains

If curtains are still needed, choose one that does not block natural daylight: light organza or lace tulles will do just fine.

The exception is bedrooms and other sleeping rooms (for children, living rooms in single rooms). So that nothing can disturb your morning sleep, choose blackout 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.

Curtain color - neutral under the walls or, on the contrary, deliberately bright. It is undesirable to use deep tones - they will make an already dark room even darker.

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 can crumble.

Central ceiling chandelier supplement or replace by spots along the contour of the ceiling: the more sources, the visually brighter the room seems.

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

In the photo, the room is illuminated in warm colors.

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, mirror illumination on the dressing table, shelves in the closet.
• Living room... Wall lamps over sofa, floor lamps in the soft zone, table lamps on the desktop, decorative lighting for accent walls or decor.
• Children... Night light by the bed, directional light above the desk, sconce in the playroom.
• Kitchen... Backlight working area, islands, cabinets when opening, a chandelier over dining table.

Option applicable in all rooms - lightbox... It can be designed as a false ceiling or wall window, or simply placed in a niche on the ceiling. The soft light diffusion achieved by the matt box creates a pleasant, cozy atmosphere.

Important! For the successful cultivation of indoor trees in a room on the north wall, they must be supplemented with special lamps of the red-blue spectrum.

Which finish should you use?

When it is decided with a color palette, you should choose materials for finishing. With walls in living rooms, everything is standard - paint or wallpaper... In the kitchen, you can add glossy tiles to the backsplash or wall above the headset.

The option is often used accent wall, when 3 vertical surfaces are made light, and one is brightly colored yellow or orange. Reflection from it will cause other surfaces and objects in the room to become warmer and more vibrant. For accent decoration, paint, wallpaper, wallpaper, decorative plaster, lining.

Another common material is glass. It looks less deliberate than a mirror, but reflects just as well. Partitions made of glass blocks, for example, can zone studio.

In the photo there is a light interior of the nursery with bright accents

Make the ceiling not just white, but warm: for this, you can drop quite a bit of yellow color into the paint. The second option is glossy stretch fabric - will make the room on the north wall taller and brighter.

Floor options 2:

1. Medium saturation. Standard wood or imitation materials in the color of alder, oak, walnut, beech are a practical and easy-care solution.
2. Whitewashed coating. The whitewashed shades of the same trees also help reflect light off the floor, which will have a positive effect on the appearance of the room.

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

What kind of furniture should you choose?

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

Pictured is a living room in a Scandinavian style

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

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

Photo gallery

Do not be discouraged if the windows of your room face north: it is worth a little magic and the space will instantly become cozy and bright.