What is the best position for a home?

Which exposure is best for a house? There is no right or wrong answer, it depends on your location, the local climate and personal preferences.

House orientation simply means how your home is positioned in relation to compass directions, or which way it faces.

Sun exposure impacts how much natural light enters each room and when. It’s worth noting that we often feel calmer and more relaxed in lighter spaces.

A southern exposure is often considered ideal for homes in cooler regions, providing the most sunlight to warm the interior throughout the year. Yet in warmer climates, a north facing house can help keep rooms cool and comfortable.

Homeowners in southern Ireland may find southwest exposure a practical compromise, capturing morning sun from the east and afternoon light from the west without overheating.

Roof windows are a great way to boost indirect natural light, regardless of your home’s orientation. They channel sunlight from above and can brighten spaces that receive little daylight from vertical windows.

When considering a home to buy it's useful to think about how the rooms have been allocated. You can also look at neighbouring homes to get ideas about layout.

To see what plants and shrubs will thrive in the aspect of your new home replicate the greenery that you see is growing in your neighbours' gardens. It is an easy way to get your own gardens or balconies looking lush.

How can you tell which direction your house faces? Let’s look at this in more detail, starting with the basics. On a sunny day, look at the sun’s position during the morning and afternoon.

Remembering the famous expression – the sun rises in the east and sets in the west – will help you orientate.

East-facing windows get dawn sunlight, while west-facing windows mean rooms are brightest in the late afternoon.

Use a compass or smartphone app to find north, south, east and west. Dig out your original house plans as they will also have a compass on them which shows the home’s orientation.

Good to know: roof windows such as these from VELUX , are ideal for maximising natural light, no matter your home’s position. They allow sunlight from above to flood your rooms, making every space brighter and more energy efficient.

Thinking about converting your loft space? Assessing the orientation will ensure you make the most of natural light. A VELUX Certified Installer can help place roof windows in the perfect locations for an airy and inviting room.

A north facing house offers unique benefits.

• These homes enjoy gentle, consistent natural light throughout the day, which is perfect for activities like reading or working on a computer.
• This soft light reduces glare and visual fatigue, improving comfort for those who enjoy spending time indoors or work from home.
• In hotter climates, a north facing house also avoids the strongest sun exposure, helping keep rooms naturally cooler. This can reduce reliance on air conditioning or fans, and in turn, lower energy bills.
• Less direct sunlight also means less risk of overheating in summer, which enhances comfort and saves you money.

A south facing home is highly sought-after by homebuyers for its abundant sunlight.

• South facing homes receive the most direct sunlight from sunrise to sunset, keeping living areas bright and welcoming.
• With this orientation you could also consider solar panels on the roof, reducing heating costs and boosting energy efficiency.
• South facing homes often have warmer rooms and gardens, ideal for growing plants and enjoying outdoor spaces.
• However, in summer, these homes may be at risk of overheating, meaning you may need to consider blinds, shutters or air conditioning to manage temperature changes, particularly important in children’s bedrooms.
• Well-insulated south facing windows help maintain warmth in winter while preventing heat loss. Sun loving house plants like cacti and succulents will thrive on south-facing windowsills.

An east facing house brings gentle morning sunlight into bedrooms and kitchens, supporting a natural wake-up routine and energy-efficient mornings.

• East facing rooms stay cooler in the afternoon and evening, making them ideal for restful sleep.
• These rooms are especially valued in summer, staying fresh and comfortable throughout the day.
• Most houseplants such as peace lilies or spider plants thrive in an east-facing aspect.

West facing windows provide warm, golden light in the afternoon and evening. This creates a cosy, relaxing atmosphere, perfect for living rooms, dining areas, and outdoor terraces or patios.

• West facing rooms stay warm in winter due to low-angle sun, reducing the need to turn on the heating.
• However, they can also overheat on summer afternoons, so consider using blinds, shutters or light-filtering curtains.

Natural light plays a vital role in every part of the home. Here’s how to make the most of sun exposure room by room if you are planning a self-build and have the luxury of being able to map your rooms:

The room where you relax and rest, the position of your bedroom is really important.

Bedrooms oriented to the east or south-east benefit from gentle morning sun, supporting natural sleep rhythms and keeping the space to cool overnight.

Consider your local climate and plot shape to refine bedroom placement for the most comfortable night’s rest for you and your whole family.

Family spaces, like kitchens and living rooms, thrive on southern exposure. This ensures consistent daylight, making these rooms warm, inviting and energy efficient.

Morning sun in an east facing kitchen is perfect for a family breakfast. Equally, an eastern aspect playroom will enjoy a light filled space for kids to enjoy in the morning before school.

Studies and offices work best with a north facing orientation. This provides diffused, consistent light without glare, reducing eye strain and improving productivity.

Dining rooms facing south enjoy daytime brightness, while west facing dining areas are perfect for sunset dinners.

Bathrooms with east facing windows start your day with refreshing natural light making you feel more energised.

If you are in the planning stages of a self-build or home purchase, carefully consider the orientation of each room to maximise comfort, natural light and energy efficiency throughout.

If you are moving house or are a first-time buyer, the orientation of your home is something to think about when viewing properties. A light filled home can enhance your day-to-day mood and wellbeing, for years to come.