When natural light shines through a window, dark navy blues become rich and well-rounded, and soft baby blues shine with unexpected warmth. But will these shades have the same effect in rooms with less natural light? How and where to use blue in your home is not as simple as coating any room in your favorite shade. However, if you have big plans for using blue in a darker, north-facing room, there is no need to change course — a little planning and preparation will steer you in the right direction.

So, should you decorate with blue in a north-facing room? Livingetc‘s color expert, Amy Moorea Wong, says, “Yes, you should use blue in a north-facing room — if you understand what you’re dealing with.” The cool, diffused, often dim light that comes in from the north can make certain blues feel cold and bring out their flat side, so if you’re hoping for a more inviting feel, “blue might not be the one — unless you’re willing to put the time in finding the perfect shade, which very much can be done,” says Amy.

It is true that there are times when blue makes the perfect pop and times when you shouldn’t paint a room blue, but when it comes to north-facing rooms, don’t let a little challenge turn you off. Blue can become a cozy, cocooning color with the right planning. Here are the best tips for preparing to paint your north-facing room blue as according to color experts.

Amy Wong says, “The first thing to remember is that there’s blue, and there’s blue and there’s blue. There’s the delicate charm of powder blue, the soft ethereality of sky blue, the purplish whimsy of periwinkle, the brazen power of cobalt, the smoky edginess of slate blue, and the midnight depth of navy blue.” The blue paint shades are wildly diverse and will operate differently in north-facing rooms.