what is ideal home direction | custom home built by Meg & Co, Twin Falls

Ideal Home Direction

October 25, 2024
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When buying a house, a famous motto is “location, location, location”. Truly, many factors come into play when house shopping, the list is long: from the kitchen and landscaping to the number of bedrooms and quality of siding. Surprisingly, the orientation of the house itself often gets overlooked. However, the direction your home is facing makes a significant impact on your living experience.

There is no formula for choosing an ideal home direction. Often, the size and placement of the lot and our budget are the deciding factors when building a house.

ideal home direction is south facing home | the Boer project in Twin Falls Idaho

As humans, we love sunny rooms and tend to spend more time in them. So logically, rooms in your house that face east will enjoy full light in the mornings. Isn’t it something we all love and can benefit from?
There is a direct correlation between a home direction and the amount of sunlight each room will receive.
In this blog post, we will dive into the pros and cons of south-facing, north-facing, and west-facing homes. By the end, you will have a clearer understanding of how each orientation affects sunlight, mood, interior design and your energy bills. This knowledge will empower you to make an informed purchasing decision when the time for house hunting is right. Get ready to alter your moto to: “Location, direction, location” and discover how the direction of your future home can improve your well-being!

North-Facing House

Some people will say that the best direction for house to face is north. North-facing homes enjoy an abundance of natural light throughout the day, which can help reduce reliance on artificial lighting and lower your energy consumption. While these homes may come with lower cooling costs, they will be more expensive to heat during the cold months. Additionally, north-facing homes are more susceptible to issues like ice dams and frozen walkways, since the angle of the sun rays is not very effective to melt the ice.

north facing house

When decorating a room with north-facing windows, it will be beneficial to select warmer color palettes, as the light that filters in tends to be cooler.

It’s essential to consider that buildings facing north generally receive a softer, more diffused light. This is an important factor to keep in mind when choosing a building for your office.

West-Facing House

A house with a front door facing west is referred to as a west-facing house. West-facing homes can offer distinct advantages depending on the local climate. In warmer areas, homeowners might prefer a west-facing design to ensure sunlight only hits the facade at dusk. This orientation allows for lovely early morning sunlight, stunning sunsets, and a backyard that enjoys abundant sunlight throughout the day.

the boer project | south facing house in Twin Falls designed and built by custom Home builder Meg & Co

The fact that your house facade faces west doesn’t mean all the rooms do. If your bedrooms are in the back, in a house like that, it would allow you to enjoy the sunrise, while leaving your great room and possibly dining area that are in the front of your house to be places for more pleasant light in later afternoons.

However, one and only potential drawback to consider is higher utility bills due to increased cooling costs. Otherwise, west-facing house is an ideal home direction.

South-Facing House

If you reside in colder climate, south-facing house is a wonderful option. If you are not sure which house direction you home is facing, you can easily use a compass to find out.

As we know, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. For most homes in the United States, that means a south-facing house would receive the most light throughout the day. Natural light is associated with happiness and a south-facing house can offer plenty of it. Our Barnes project is a south-facing house.

south facing house | Barnes project by Meg & Co, custom home builder Idaho Falls

On the other hand, that same pleasant natural light can later in the day turn into an exhausting glare and become overpowering. An intense light could be rather uncomfortable in the afternoon in a south-facing home.

As a result of intense light your house siding, roof and even indoor furniture can experience some significant sun damage. This is something to be aware of and ready for. If you have some high end furniture in those south-facing rooms, remember to install blinds, blackout shades or other window treatments for proper protection.

House Direction and Landscape

When considering your home’s orientation, it’s important to remember that it has an impact on landscaping and your outdoor areas. The direction your yard faces significantly influences the amount of sunlight it receives. A south-facing yard receives sunlight in all day, making it ideal for sun-loving plants to thrive. It’s also a great spot for a pool if you are considering one.

landscaping directly depends on the direction the house is facing | Stanton project is south facing

On the other hand, if you prefer a cooler environment for relaxation and recreation, a north-facing yard may be perfect for a deck or grill. For those who can only enjoy their outdoor space after school or work, a west facing outdoor area will bring afternoon sunlight to your pool and deck, extending your enjoyment.

Regardless of your yard’s orientation, choosing a great landscaper and the right plants is crucial for a great curb appeal. Opt for full-sun plants in brighter areas and shade-loving varieties where light conditions dictate.

East-Facing House

East-facing house will receive the most of sun light as its’ position is alighted with the rising sun. That in itself comes with many benefits. Natural light and positive energy to start your day with is a wonderful combination for people who enjoy their mornings the most. Sunlight is a natural provider of Vitamin D, which is particularly important if you live in a northern state.

west facing home | built by Meg & Co in twin falls idaho

East-facing houses sell very well. Also, in eastern religions, east-facing houses are believed to be in harmony with cosmic energy, considered auspicious and are highly favored by population.

What Is Ideal Home Direction?

The home direction is important but what is more essential is the positioning of the rooms you spend the most time in. Where are they located and what direction are they facing? Are you a morning person or a night owl? Do you want to be greeted by those strong morning rays or would you rather have your morning light be subtle? Those are great questions to answer.

As we have shown, there are advantages to every direction a house faces and also some disadvantages that come into play in every scenario. The definition of an Ideal home direction varies and is directly tied to your routines and personal preferences.

Lastly, if you’re considering buying a lot or building a custom home in Twin Falls, reach out to Meg & Co’s design team and we will make sure your house faces the best possible direction, considering your lifestyle and desires.

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