“Location, location, location!” may be a well-known real estate rallying cry, but the orientation of a house is important as well. House orientation refers to the position of a structure on its site, and it’s typically described by the cardinal direction that the front facade faces—for example, a home with its main entrance facing north would be described as a north-facing house. Considering the direction a home faces is crucial for both house hunters and prospective new home builders. It will affect the amount of sunlight the interior receives, heating and cooling costs, home maintenance, and more. However, there isn’t a “best” direction for a house to face. Each orientation offers a different set of benefits, but knowing their benefits and drawbacks can help homeowners make smarter choices.
When I was house hunting a few years back, I didn’t think much about orientation at first—just focused on the number of bedrooms and whether the kitchen had a good vibe. But after visiting a south-facing home that felt like a sauna in July, I realized how much facing direction impacts daily life. To dive deeper, let’s break down why this matters. For instance, studies show that homes with optimal orientation can save up to 20% on energy costs annually, depending on climate and design (according to the U.S. Department of Energy). If you’re building or buying, consider how the sun’s path affects your home’s layout. A quick tip: sketch out your daily routine and think about which rooms you want bathed in light versus those you’d prefer cooler and shadier. This small step can make a big difference in comfort and utility bills.
South-facing and east-facing houses get the most sunlight
In the U.S and the rest of the northern hemisphere, south-facing windows receive the greatest amount of sunlight because the sun shines from the south. It’s also important to note that, because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, an east-facing home will receive the most morning sun and a west-facing house will get more afternoon sun. Home buyers are often attracted to houses that receive plenty of natural light, which is why real estate agents like to tout a southern exposure. Exposure to natural light also has numerous health benefits, including a boost of vitamin D for your immune system and promotion of a healthy circadian rhythm for a balanced sleep-wake cycle.
I’ve always loved how a sunny room feels—it’s like the house is giving you a warm hug. But there’s science behind that cozy feeling. Natural light exposure can increase serotonin levels, which helps improve mood and focus, according to research from the National Institutes of Health. If you’re eyeing a south- or east-facing home, think about placing your living room or home office in those sunlit areas to maximize these benefits. A practical tip: use sheer curtains to diffuse light without blocking it entirely, keeping the space bright but not blinding. Just watch out for glare on screens if you’re working from home—been there, squinting at my laptop!
Radiant heat can have benefits and drawbacks for a south-facing home
A home’s orientation is important not only for sunlight but also for warmth. For instance, the southern exposure of a home (especially for homes with many south-facing windows) will collect most of the warmth from the sun, and this can be both a benefit and a detriment. Radiant heat from the sun can help reduce heating costs in the winter, especially in colder climates. But in the summer, that heat can lead to higher cooling bills.
Living in a south-facing home during a Minnesota winter taught me how nice it is to have that extra warmth streaming in—my heating bill thanked me. Data from the Energy Information Administration suggests that homes with good solar gain can cut heating costs by 10-15% in cold regions. But in summer, those same windows can turn your living room into an oven. To balance this, consider investing in double-glazed windows with a low-emissivity coating—they let in light but block some heat, saving you on cooling costs. I also found that planting deciduous trees outside south-facing windows helps: they provide shade in summer but let sunlight through in winter when the leaves are gone. It’s like nature’s thermostat!
A north-facing house may be easier to cool when temperatures rise
Homes that are oriented to the north typically receive most of their direct sunlight in the back of the structure. As a result, a north-facing house may remain cooler in the summer than a south-facing house. In warmer climates, a north-facing home can have the benefit of reduced cooling costs when temperatures climb in summer. However, this means less natural light filtering in from the front of the house, since north-facing windows let in less sun.
If you’re in a hot climate like Arizona, a north-facing home can be a lifesaver. I visited a friend’s north-facing house last summer, and it felt like a cool oasis compared to my sun-soaked apartment. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that north-facing homes in warm climates can reduce cooling costs by up to 25% compared to south-facing ones. But the dimmer front rooms can feel a bit gloomy, so I’d recommend using light-colored paint or mirrors to bounce light around. Also, consider skylights for the front rooms if you’re building—they can bring in natural light without the heat. Just don’t expect your front porch to be the sunniest spot for morning coffee!
South facing isn’t the best house orientation when it comes to sun damage
One downside of direct sun exposure is the damage it can cause over time to siding, roofing, furniture, fabrics, and flooring. The south-facing side of your home will be most affected by sunlight, so you’d be wise to budget around completing home maintenance tasks like repainting or re-siding more frequently. For south-facing windows, it’s also a good idea to protect your furniture from damage by installing ultraviolet-blocking window film, curtains, or shades.
I learned the hard way that sun damage is no joke—my south-facing living room rug faded in just two years! UV radiation can degrade materials faster than you’d think; studies show that unprotected furniture and flooring can lose up to 50% of its color intensity in a few years under direct sunlight. To save your wallet, I’d suggest investing in UV-blocking window film—it’s a one-time cost of about $5-$10 per square foot but can extend the life of your interiors. Also, consider durable exterior materials like fiber-cement siding for south-facing walls; it holds up better than vinyl and needs repainting less often. Pro tip: rearrange furniture periodically to avoid uneven fading!
North-facing homes are prone to icing in winter
If your main entrance faces north and you live in a region that gets ice and snow in the winter, your home could experience worse cold-weather effects. Because of the lack of direct sunlight, a north-facing home’s facade is more likely to fall victim to ice dams and icicles, plus driveways and slippery walkways can be especially treacherous. Since the front facade of a south-facing home receives more direct sunlight, any ice and snow it accumulates will melt more readily than it will on the houses across the street.
Shoveling a north-facing driveway in upstate New York made me curse the lack of sun every winter. Ice dams are a real headache—they form when snow melts and refreezes at the roof’s edge, potentially causing leaks. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that repairing ice dam damage can cost $1,000-$5,000 if it gets bad. To avoid this, I’d recommend installing heated gutter cables (about $50-$100 for a small home) to keep snow melting evenly. Also, clear walkways with a mix of salt and sand for traction—it’s cheaper than a slip-and-fall injury! If you’re building, consider a steeper roof pitch to help snow slide off before it becomes a problem.
The direction a house faces might even influence your decor choices
The amount of light a room receives may affect the color and fabric choices you make when you decorate. For instance, you might steer away from red and orange hues in west-facing rooms, which get most of their sunlight from 2 p.m. onward. Fans of bold or dark colors may want to confine them to south-facing rooms, which get enough light all day to complement more intense tones. And bedrooms with east-facing windows should probably be equipped with sturdy or sun-blocking window treatments, such as blackout curtains, so sleepers won’t be unnecessarily roused by the dawn’s early light!
Decorating my west-facing bedroom was a lesson in trial and error—red throw pillows looked way too intense in the afternoon sun. Interior designers often suggest cooler tones like blues or greens for west-facing rooms to balance the warm, golden light. For east-facing bedrooms, blackout curtains are a game-changer; I got mine for about $30 a panel, and they’ve saved me from 6 a.m. wake-ups. If you love bold colors, south-facing rooms are your canvas—my friend’s navy accent wall pops in her sunny living room. A quick tip: test paint samples on your walls and check them at different times of day to see how the light changes the vibe.
House orientation affects the orientation of your landscape, too
When considering your home’s orientation, remember that it also affects your landscaping and outdoor spaces. After all, the direction that your yard faces determines the amount of sunlight it receives. A south-facing yard will have sun all day, so sun-loving plants (and sun-loving people) may flourish there. A south-facing yard is similarly a fine location for a swimming pool. If, however, you prefer to rest, relax, and recreate where it’s a bit cooler, a north-facing yard might be just the spot for a patio, deck, or grill. Folks who generally don’t have the opportunity to enjoy their yard until after school or work may appreciate a western exposure, which brings sunlight to your pool and deck later in the afternoon. Whatever your yard’s orientation, for the best chance of a thriving landscape, be sure to choose sun- or shade-loving plants that are appropriate for the light conditions.
My south-facing backyard is a dream for growing tomatoes and sunflowers, but it’s brutal for shade-loving ferns. According to gardening experts, plants like lavender and roses thrive in south-facing yards, getting the 6-8 hours of daily sun they need. For north-facing yards, try hostas or impatiens—they love the shade. I’ve found that a west-facing deck is perfect for evening BBQs, as the sun lingers just long enough. If you’re planning a pool, a south-facing yard keeps the water warmer, but it’ll cost you about $500-$1,000 more per year to maintain in hotter climates due to evaporation. Always check your local nursery for native plants—they’re low-maintenance and suited to your area’s light and soil.
Of course, the direction your house faces determines the view outside your windows
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with a scenic vista—be it a lake, beach, mountains, or a skyline—the direction your home faces really matters. For new construction, try to maximize the aesthetic qualities of the site by orienting your house properly in order to make the most of the view. Be sure to situate windows and outdoor spaces so that you’re able to enjoy the beauty of your surroundings, if at all possible.
Nothing beats sipping coffee while staring at a mountain view from a well-placed window. When I visited a friend’s lakefront home, their west-facing deck made sunsets unforgettable. If you’re building, architects suggest spending time on the site to map out views before finalizing your home’s orientation—simple but worth it. Large picture windows can cost $1,000-$2,000 each but frame a view like nothing else. For existing homes, consider adding a bay window or sliding doors to capture that scenery. Just make sure your budget accounts for cleaning those big windows—trust me, it’s a chore but worth it for the view!