In the Northern Light: Colors, Light, and Atmosphere – How to Choose Paints That Last All Year Round

In the Northern Light: Colors, Light, and Atmosphere – How to Choose Paints That Last All Year Round

Featured image: Wall of Art

The environment influences how we see colors. The same tone can look different in different spaces. Natural light strongly influences our color perception. The nature of light changes based on the cardinal directions, time of day, and seasons. In rooms facing north, daylight tends to be cool and bluish, while light from the south takes on a warm yellow hue.

Regardless of the direction, colors look completely different in the morning light, evening dusk, or the midday brightness. At northern latitudes, light conditions change radically with the seasons. Interior architect Ilkka Mälkiäinen’s three tips will help you choose wall paint shades that look beautiful throughout the year.

Image: Pella Hedeby

Start with Existing Elements

"Light in the Nordic countries is dramatically different in each season. For this reason, the color palette of a home never looks the same year-round. In winter, the light is super-cold, making cool tones appear even colder in rooms facing north. In the summer, the light is completely different, and the warm sunlight intensifies the warm hues in south-facing rooms.

In addition to light, other elements in the space affect how colors look. If you're not planning to completely overhaul the decor, it may be easier to start with the color palette of existing furniture, textiles, or artwork. Try paint color samples next to the upholstery of your sofa or armchairs, or against wooden furniture, and see if the tones create a pleasing overall effect."

Look at the Space

"Colors shouldn’t be chosen based on a photo; they must always be experienced in the actual space where they’ll be applied. It's a good idea to test paint samples in different parts of the room, especially in areas where light hits differently. Leave the sample in place and observe how the tone changes under different lighting. Don’t forget to check the tone on walls that are in shadow!"

Trust the Environment

"Pay attention to the elements in the space: floors, trim, and ceilings. Colors change depending on what they’re paired with. For example, the facade of a building across the street can completely change the way a color looks compared to what it appeared like on paper. A yellowish wood floor, for example, will reflect a yellow tone onto the walls and may make a color with yellow pigment appear too yellow in some people's eyes."

Image: Camilleri Interiors

"When paired with dark surfaces, light gray can appear almost white, and a soft white paired with pure white can look pale blue. By studying how the colors behave in different parts of the room, and against different elements, you can avoid the nightmare scenario where, after painting, a white ceiling looks pale blue, and the timeworn white trim appears yellow."

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