North Facing Bedroom Ideas

If your bedroom faces in the north direction, you’ve probably already had that moment. You open the curtains on what appears to be a bright, sunny morning and… nothing. Just a grey muted, shadowy light trickling into your room like it’s doing you a favour while making zero impact. North facing rooms often get the least direct sunlight during the day, which tends to leave them feeling a little chilly, dull, and – dare we say it – a bit sad. 

But here's the thing to remember: north facing bedrooms can be absolutely beautiful with a few simple touches. Using the right colours, textures and lighting can quickly transform your room from cold and drab to warm, inviting, and super stylish. The idea is to work with the light you’ve got, instead of fighting it. 

So, stick the kettle on, hunker down and let’s dive into some cosy, practical, and affordable ideas for transforming your north-facing bedroom into looking its best. 

1. Choose warm, light-reflecting colours 

The biggest piece of advice we can give is to steer clear of anything that feels too cool-toned. Those pale greys, icy blues, even some whites can easily end up looking flat and lifeless in northern light. Instead, think about warmer tones: 

• Soft peach 

• Muted terracotta 

• Creamy neutrals (think: warm white, almond, or ivory) 

• Blush pinks or a dusty rose 

• Warm sage or olive greens 

• Buttery yellows if you’re feeling sunny 

These colours bounce what little light there is around the room and make the space feel warmer and more inviting, intentional. Colour drenching – painting the walls, skirting and ceiling the same shade – works great for creating a snug, cocooning feel. 

2. Lighting: you’ll need layers 

Using just one overhead bulb in a north facing room is like trying to heat your flat with a single candle – it’s simply not enough. You want to layer the lighting to really make the most of the space. Think: 

• Ambient Lighting: A pretty ceiling light with a soft diffuser - avoid harsh spotlights 

• Task Lighting: Bedside table lamps or wall-mounted sconces – ideal for reading or winding down 

• Accent Lighting: Add in some fairy lights, LED strips behind headboards, or an extra table lamp to add warmth and depth 

• Natural Light Boosters: If you’re renovating, a skylight is a total game-changer – but that’s a whole other blog post 

Go for warm white LED bulbs (around 2700K–3000K). Anything cooler can make the room feel chilly. 

3. Strategic mirrors & glossy surfaces 

If you’re not able to add more windows, use clever tricks with the ones you’ve got. Placing a mirror opposite the window will bounce light around the room and make it feel so much bigger and brighter. No major renovations required. 

Mirrored wardrobes, metallic accessories (like brass or copper), or even furniture with gloss or satin finishes can all help to reflect light. There’s no need to go all out, even the tiniest adjustments can make a big difference. 

4. Curtains that let the light in 

Thick blackout curtains are obviously great for sleeping – but they can really kill the vibe in the daytime. We suggest a layered setup: 

• Sheer or voile curtains for the daytime – they let the light in, keep it soft and filtered while not taking up too much visual space 

• Blackout blinds for the night – so you can still enjoy your quality rest and the occasional lie in 

5. Bring in life with low-light plants 

Plants make a room feel fresher and more vibrant, and honestly – they’re a really simple hack to just cheer the place up. You can definitely have plants in a north facing bedroom – you’ve just got to be careful to pick the right ones.  

Some low-light plant champions include: 

• Snake plant – virtually impossible to kill, survives pretty much anywhere 

• ZZ plant – glossy, low maintenance and chic 

• Pothos (Devil’s Ivy) – loves to trail, happy in those shady corners 

• Peace lily – pretty, easy-going, and purifies the air 

6. Play with texture 

One of the best ways to warm up a room that feels harsh and cold? Go all out on texture. It allows you to add depth, gives a feeling of comfort, and makes everything seem more intentional. 

Try layering a few of these: 

• Chunky knit blankets or throws 
• Velvet or boucle cushions 
• A soft, thick rug (essential if you’ve got wooden floors) 
• Linen bedding in warm earthy tones 
• Wicker or wood accessories for a natural touch 

Mix and match textures, even if you're sticking to a neutral colour palette – it helps make the space interesting without being too overwhelming. 

7. Dark and moody? Why not! 

Here’s a curveball: instead of trying to brighten the room, you could choose to fully commit and embrace the moody vibes. North facing light is soft and diffused – which actually works brilliantly with those deep, dramatic colours. 

Think along the lines of: 

• Navy blues 
• Charcoal 
• Forest greens 
• Aubergine 
• Inky black 

Pair it with layered warm lighting, brass accents, and soft textiles to get that cosy boutique look. If you really want to go all out, colour drenching could be great for this. 

8. Furniture placement = sneaky light trick 

Avoid placing big furniture right in front of the window – it blocks even more of the already-limited light. Instead: 

• Keep windows as open as possible. 
• Choose lower-profile furniture pieces (a low bed frame, floating shelves). 
• If storage is tight, look for space-saving options like under-bed drawers or a wardrobe with sliding doors – big bulky wardrobes can make a dark room feel smaller. 

9. Artwork and decor that adds warmth 

Wall art can completely change the feel of a space. Pick pieces intentionally with warm tones, nature-inspired colours, or bold abstract shapes to inject personality and life to the space. 

Create a gallery wall above the bed, use a couple of warm-toned prints leaning against a shelf, or even a woven wall hanging – all great options for breaking up a cold wall space. 

North facing bedroom ideas: final thoughts 

North facing bedrooms might not be flooded with sunshine every minute of the day, but they’ve certainly got their own kind of magic. That soft, consistent light can be perfect for creating a peaceful, calming atmosphere – you just need to bring in some warmth and personality that suits your taste. 

Whether you choose to go light and airy or dark and dramatic, the important thing is to balance the cool natural feel with warm tones, layered lighting and plenty of texture.