Decorating a North facing living room

[PastaFasool]

Looking for advice on decorating! We are currently in the process of renovating a 1920s house with a fairly large, square living room (5m by 4m), with high ceilings and a large bay window.

It's a North facing room, so even with the bay window, it feels quite dull in there. I had my heart set on 3 bright white walls with the fireplace wall painted green... but it’s looking duller than I expected after doing test patches... I would really love the room to feel warmer in colour. Any advice on paint colours, etc.?

To make it warmer you will have to paint it a warm color- deep red , mustard gold, warm beige, burnt orange etc. Also the lighting you will use is very important as you can choose the temperature of lightbulbs too. Lampshade color will also influence the lighting and overall feel. But don't do everything in warm colors, contrasting or cool colors in fabrics or objects would add variety and depth.

Don't forget lighting. That's what can make the room come alive. In a north facing room the more light the better. Consider getting a daylight lamp (SAD lamp) and tucking it where it's not obvious - eg behind a sofa or plants as an uplighter. Agree that warm or bright colours will help, but if you want to go with darker colours up the lighting in the room and you might be able to get away with it.

I live in an Edwardian house with a similar sized and proportioned sitting room which is also north facing; I've used a very dark green paint for 3 walls and woodwork, Graham and Brown Glasshouse paper and brass light fittings. I can't change the fact it's a dark room so decided to embrace it!

We have a north facing living room and our fireplace wall is a dark red and we've got various red accents round the room (which is otherwise off-white). Lamps definitely help!

Thanks everyone, super helpful. I have decided to go this ivory on the walls, then think about mustard or burnt orange on the chimney breast. I will find another room for my many green paint samples 😁

Looks like a smart choice. Usually you should choose paint colors last because you can always get the exact tone to compliment everything else, but you can't go wrong with a classic! Do try it out in the room on various walls at different times of day and with other decorative elements, rugs, couch and the lighting if possible. Even an "ivory" white can have different colored undertones.
Nothing like new paint to brighten the atmosphere! ;)

If you're not overlooked as I wasn't choose sheer curtains just framing the windows.

https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/north-facing-room-decorating-ideas

https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/how-should-i-decorate-a-north-facing-room-stsetivw-vs~120733402

We have a dark green N facing sitting room. We do have warm tones in there too - oak floor, ochre sofa, the rug has reds and yellows in it etc. It does really benefit from warm tones but I think you can do that with furnishings rather than having to choose a super warm paint.

Definitely go for a cosy look - lots of soft textures and throws, lamps everywhere.