How Light Changes a Rug's Colour: North- and South-Facing Rooms
One of the most common questions we hear after a rug arrives is: "Why does it look different from the photograph?" Very often, the answer is not the rug at all. It is the light. The direction a room faces, the time of day and the bulbs you use can shift a colour noticeably, and knowing this before you buy can save a great deal of disappointment.
North-facing rooms
In the UK, north-facing rooms receive no direct sunlight. The light they get is indirect, cooler and more even, with a bluish cast. This has two effects on a rug:
- Cool colours become colder. Greys can read as steely, and pale blues can feel chilly.
- Warm colours are softened. Terracottas, ochres and warm creams come into balance and feel welcoming rather than bold.
If your room faces north, lean towards neutrals with warm undertones: oatmeal rather than pure white, warm grey rather than blue-grey. The consistency of north light is actually an advantage: the rug will look much the same from morning to evening.
South-facing rooms
South-facing rooms receive strong, warm, direct light for much of the day. Here:
- Warm colours intensify. A mustard or rust can become very vivid at midday.
- Cool colours come into their own. Blues, greens and cool greys feel fresh and balanced.
- Fading is a real consideration. Strong sunlight will, over time, fade natural dyes and some synthetics. Rotating the rug every few months helps it wear and fade evenly.
East- and west-facing rooms
East-facing rooms are bright and warm in the morning, then cooler and flatter in the afternoon. West-facing rooms do the opposite, with a flat morning light and a rich, golden glow in the evening. Think about when you use the room most: a west-facing sitting room enjoyed in the evening will make warm-toned rugs glow beautifully.
Don't forget artificial light
After dark, your bulbs take over. Warm-white bulbs flatter reds, golds and creams; cool-white bulbs sharpen greys and blues but can make warm neutrals look slightly muddy. If you are choosing a rug for a room used mostly in the evening, judge it under the lights you actually have.
How to choose with confidence
- Look at the rug, or a photograph of it, in your room at different times of day.
- Place it next to your sofa, curtains and paint colour rather than judging it in isolation.
- Remember that screens vary. A photograph is a guide; your room is the final word.
- Ask us. We are always happy to describe a colour in more detail or send extra photographs.
For more on getting an online purchase right, read our guide to buying a rug online.
A decorator's note
Pale grey is the colour most transformed by light. A soft grey such as our Lux Washable Light Grey will feel calm and airy in a south-facing room, and noticeably cooler in a north-facing one. If in doubt, choose a grey with a hint of warmth.
