Key Takeaways

• A south facing house is one of the most desirable property orientations in the UK, benefiting from increased natural light, warmer living spaces, and bright interiors throughout the day.
• You can identify whether your house or garden is south facing by using a compass app, tracking the sun’s movement, or observing which areas of your home receive the most sunlight.
• South facing rooms work well with both cool and warm colour schemes, while carefully chosen lighting and houseplants can help make the most of the natural daylight available.
• A south facing garden enjoys long hours of sunshine, making it ideal for sun-loving plants, drought-tolerant species, and outdoor living spaces.
• If you're searching for a new build home with plenty of natural light, choosing a thoughtfully designed property can help maximise sunshine, comfort, and year-round enjoyment of your living space.

When it comes to choosing a home, the direction your property faces can have a big impact on light, warmth, and even your energy bills. A south facing house is often considered highly desirable in the UK, as it tends to capture the most sunlight throughout the day, making rooms brighter and gardens warmer. If a south-facing garden is high on your wishlist, it's worth considering this alongside your budget, location and the various ways to buy a new home available to help make your move easier.

But what exactly does it mean for your home, your houseplants and your interior design? In this guide, we’ll explain what a south-facing house is, why it’s so popular, and the benefits it can bring to homeowners. 

Is my house or garden south facing?

Working out whether your house or garden is south facing doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a few simple ways to work out your property’s orientation, from using everyday technology to observing natural light and temperature patterns throughout the day.

Use a compass or app

The fastest way to tell if your house or garden is south facing is by using a compass, but not everyone has one stashed away. If you don’t, you can use a map app on your phone, as these often include a compass feature.

Watch the sun’s movement

You may also be able to tell by simple observation: take a look at where the sun sets and rises. Knowing that it always rises in the east and sets in the west will help you decipher your property’s orientation.

Check warmth levels in your home

If your house is south facing, it also tends to be warmer than north facing properties, with long hours of sunlight shining through south facing windows and doors throughout the year. Your house is likely to be south facing if you benefit from long hours of bright, natural light, even during winter.

How to decorate a south facing room

There are plenty of ways to decorate a south facing house, whether you’re using a contrast of cool tones or leaning into warm and cosy colours. If you want to take full advantage of a south facing room, there are several methods you can use to accentuate the natural light and bring out the best of your home.

The best colours for south facing rooms

South facing living rooms can be painted with cool, neutral, or warm tones, depending on the atmosphere you’re going for. You can achieve a fresh look with gentle greens and blues, knowing that the natural light will keep the room warm even with cooler wall colours. Alternatively, soft ochre and cinnamon shades can give you a cosy atmosphere that is accentuated by the sunlight. South facing living room colours can be anything and will ultimately come down to your personal preference.

How to light a south facing room

South facing rooms are characterised by lots of natural light, so they don’t need as much artificial lighting. Avoid bright white or yellow lights, since they can make direct sunlight feel too hot and bright throughout the day. You should lean into soft colours that complement your decor, like cool lilac, soft blue, or warm orange. It’s also important to consider the purpose of a room: cosiness is better for relaxation, while cool light can help you to focus when working from home.

The best houseplants for a south facing room

Houseplants placed in south facing windows will benefit from full sun and minimal shade, so consider placing succulents, orchids, bonsai oranges, and fruiting physalis in these areas. Avoid plants that need shade, like ferns, peace lilies and pothos. You can ask the staff at your local garden centre if you’d like to know more about the best full sun plants for your home.

What is a south facing garden?

Similarly to a south facing home, a south facing garden experiences maximum sunlight throughout the day. For it to be considered south facing, the house shouldn’t cast shadows across the garden. If you own a south facing house, your front garden may be considered south facing too.

What plants should you buy for a south facing garden?

Just like houseplants, you need to choose your garden greenery to match the light level outside your home. South facing gardens experience long hours of sunlight, so it’s important to choose plants that can survive in hot, bright climates with minimal shade. That means planting plenty of drought-tolerant perennials and hardy alpine plants, and avoiding lawns made of fescue or annual meadow grass.

Looking for a new build home with lots of natural light?

If you’re in the market for a south facing house, you can’t go wrong with a Bloor. Our open-plan living rooms and elegant French doors are designed to make the most of the natural light, giving you full sun in some of the most-used rooms in your home. Learn more about buying with Bloor here, or  book an appointment to view one of our showhomes today.