Best Direction for a House to Face: 10 Home Orientation Tips

The direction a house faces, and its impact on your living experience, is critical for all potential buyers to consider.

Buying a new house is as exciting as it gets. If you’re on this journey currently, we’re very happy for you! But one of the most important factors often not thought of by potential homebuyers due to the excitement involved with any real estate transaction, is a house’s orientation. The direction a house faces can significantly influence the overall well-being of its occupants, as sunlight exposure and orientation impact mood, energy levels, and overall comfort. The question remains: what is the best direction for a home to face given your ownership goals and lifestyle?

We hate to break it to you, but there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Determining the best house orientation for your next residence takes careful consideration based on your wants and needs. Below, we go over the pros and cons of various orientations and what the direction a home faces could mean for you. Also see:

• 21 Steps to Buying a Condo
• Semi-Detached vs. Duplex: 6 Key Differences
• Condos Vs. Apartments: Pros and Cons

Best House Orientation: Quick Summary

• The direction a house faces is a crucial consideration for homebuyers because it affects natural light, energy efficiency, and lifestyle.
• A north-facing house provides a sunny backyard ideal for outdoor activities, while a south-facing house benefits from direct sunlight at the front, which helps with natural heating in winter.
• East-facing homes capture the morning sun in the front, making for bright mornings, whereas west-facing homes receive intense afternoon sun that can increase cooling costs.
• A home’s orientation can impact its resale value, as south-facing houses are often more sought after in colder climates for their energy-saving passive solar heating.
• Ultimately, the best direction for a house to face is subjective and depends on your personal lifestyle and what you value most, whether it’s a bright kitchen or a cool bedroom, for example.

What is House Orientation/Direction Anyway?

House orientation refers to the direction the front of your home faces. Therefore, if your real estate agent says that a home is “north-facing,” it means the front door is pointed northward. If a house is facing towards the “southeast,” then its front door will be oriented somewhere between the south and east directions. A “northwest” facing home would have its frontage lined up somewhere in between the N and W on a compass, and so forth.

How the Sun Impacts Your Living Experience

Because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the orientation of your home determines which parts of your property get sunlight, and at what time of day. For homeowners in the Northern Hemisphere, such as those in Canada or the United States, this matters significantly due to the Earth’s tilt and the effect that has on the sun’s position. If you live in Canada, for example, you should be well aware that the sun does not rise as high into the sky during the winter, resulting in less sunlight throughout the day.

These shortened days can have a direct impact on everything from your mood to your bills. Which is why buying a home with the right orientation is so important. It can mean waking up to a sun-drenched kitchen, enjoying a bright living room all afternoon, or having a cool, shaded bedroom for better sleep. It also affects practical considerations, like how quickly snow will melt on your driveway, or whether your backyard is a sunlit paradise or a shady retreat. It affects the amount of natural light in your living spaces and the energy efficiency of your home.

How Direction Can Impact Your Resale Potential

The orientation of a house can even affect your resale potential, as some directions are often considered more appealing than others. For example, south-facing homes tend to be more desirable in places like Canada, for example, because they receive ample sunlight into the front of the house throughout the year, including when the sun drops down lower in the sky during winter and the days are shorter.

However, it’s essential to understand that a home’s characteristics, when combined with the direction it faces, also play a role. For example, an older east-facing condominium building without a central air-conditioning system may heat up during the morning and stay hot and clammy all day. A newer building with central A/C might not have this problem, meaning an east-facing unit and its morning exposure would not be a concern.

This can also translate into higher heating and cooling costs, an essential budgetary consideration for any potential buyer to consider. Therefore, understanding what the best direction for a home to face for your goals and lifestyle is a key part of the buying process and should not be overlooked!

North-Facing House

Pros: A north-facing house enjoys consistent, indirect sunlight at the front of the home, which is great for preventing glare in front-facing rooms and keeping the front of the house nice and cool during the summer. The backyard, facing south, will be bathed in sunlight for most of the day throughout the year, including winter, making it perfect for gardens, pools, and outdoor entertaining. This is often considered the best home orientation for those who want a bright and sunny backyard.

Cons: The front of a north-facing house can be cooler and darker, which might not be ideal for everyone. In the winter, snow and ice on a north-facing driveway may melt more slowly due to the lack of direct sunlight, unless efforts are taken to winterize the property. Rooms at the front of the house may also require more artificial lighting and heating.

Home Facing Northeast

Pros: The gentle morning sun will brighten the front rooms without being too intense. The backyard will get some afternoon and evening sun, which can be pleasant for outdoor dining and entertaining. This orientation provides a good balance of light and shade, and keeps front-end rooms cooler during the summer.

Cons: The front of the house can be quite dark and cool in the afternoon and evening. In the winter, a northeast-facing driveway may not get enough sun to melt ice and snow quickly. Additionally, if neighbouring properties have a garage suite, it may block your evening sun.

East-Facing House

Pros: A house situated directly eastward means you’ll get lots of morning light in the front yard and rooms, which is a fantastic way to start the day. This orientation is excellent for early birds who enjoy a sun-drenched morning. The west-facing backyard will get the intense afternoon sun, which can be great for evening entertaining – the time of day when people typically entertain guests, making it a perfect combo.

Cons: The front of the house will be shaded and cooler in the afternoon. The backyard and the back of the house will receive the full force of the afternoon sun, which can lead to higher cooling costs in the summer. This can sometimes also make the backyard uncomfortably hot on summer afternoons, depending on where you live.

Home Facing Southeast

Pros: This is often considered one of the best directions for a house to face because it receives the gentle morning sun in the front and then benefits from the southern exposure throughout the day. The front and side of the house receives ample sunlight throughout the year. The backyard turns into a cool retreat during the summer, with partial shading throughout the day.

Cons: A south-east facing house will not get much direct sun in the afternoon or evening. This might not be ideal for those who enjoy evening sun in their outdoor living spaces. Additionally, for anyone who enjoys gardening during the summer, they will have to strategically place garden beds so that plants and vegetables get adequate sunlight.

South-Facing House

Pros: A south-facing house enjoys bright, direct sunlight at the front of the home throughout the day, especially in the winter when the sun is lower in the sky. This can help to naturally heat your home in the colder months, potentially lowering your energy bills. A south-facing driveway will also see snow and ice melt quickly. As a result, south-facing houses – especially in colder climates like Canada with short winter days – are often seen as one of the best directions for a property to face.

Cons: A house facing south means that front rooms can get a bit toasty in the summer, which may increase your cooling costs. The backyard, facing north, will be mostly shaded, which might not be ideal for those who want a sunny outdoor space for gardening, recreation, or entertainment.

Home Facing Southwest

Pros: You’ll get a good amount of afternoon and evening sun at the front of the house, which is great for natural light later in the day. The backyard will get morning light, making it pleasant for early outdoor activities. This house orientation is a good compromise for those who want a balance of light throughout the day.

Cons: Similar to a west-facing house, the front can get very hot in the summer afternoons, leading to higher cooling costs. The backyard will be shaded for most of the afternoon and evening. This orientation can make it challenging for homeowners to keep the front of the house cool.

West-Facing House

Pros: When living in a west-facing house, you’ll enjoy beautiful sunsets (if not obstructed) from the front of your home. The backyard will be bright and sunny in the morning, perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee outdoors and for early risers. The afternoon sun shining on the front of the property can help to warm the house in the evening.

Cons: The front of a west-facing house can get extremely hot in the afternoon, leading to higher energy bills for cooling, where an investment in a good set of blinds may be worthwhile. The intense afternoon sun can also cause glare and may fade furniture and flooring over time. A shaded backyard in the afternoon or evening means not much warmth for entertaining or outdoor leisure and recreation with the family.

Home Facing Northwest

Pros: You’ll enjoy beautiful partial sunsets from the front of your home, and the indirect northern light will prevent glare for most of the day. The backyard will get some morning sun, making it a pleasant space to start your day.

Cons: The front of the house will receive intense late-afternoon sun, which can potentially lead to overheating in the summer. Both the backyard and front yard will be partially shaded throughout the day; therefore, carefully consider where plant beds and outdoor entertaining areas are placed for maximum sunlight exposure, if desired.

Best Home Orientation: Which Works for You?

Ultimately, the best direction for a house to face depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. If you love a sunny backyard for gardening and entertaining, a north-facing house (with a south-facing backyard) is likely your best bet. If you’re an early bird who loves the morning sun, an east-facing home might be the perfect fit. For those who want to maximize natural light and passive heating in the winter, a south-facing house is an excellent choice.

Consider what’s most important to you—a bright kitchen in the morning, a cool bedroom in the afternoon, or a sunny spot for your vegetable garden—and use that to guide your decision in finding the ideal house orientation for your new home.

If you’re not sure about what house direction is best for you, make sure to discuss your lifestyle goals with your preferred real estate agent. They should have some key insights that will help guide you towards making the best decision on what orientation to search for when browsing the residential market.

Best House Orientation: Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the best house orientation for sun and natural light?

A south-facing house is generally the best for maximizing sun and natural light throughout the day.

What is the best house orientation for energy efficiency?

A south-facing house is often the most energy-efficient, as it benefits from passive solar heating in the winter. This can help reduce your heating bills and save a considerable amount of cash over the long run.

What is the best house orientation a cool home during summer?

A north-facing home will generally stay cooler during the summer as it avoids the most intense direct sunlight.

What is the best house orientation for a sunny backyard?

A north-facing house, which has a south-facing backyard, is the best for a sunny backyard all day long. This provides partial sun in the backyard at all times of the day and year.

Which facing is not suitable for a house?

A west-facing orientation can be challenging due to the intense afternoon sun, which can lead to overheating and higher cooling costs.