ᐅ Room Layout for a House with a Northeast-Facing Garden – How Is It in Your Case?
Created on: 29 Mar 2021 17:17
J
Julijuli
Hello,
I am looking for real-life experiences or others who have faced the same challenges on this topic.
How have you solved the issue of wanting to look out from the living area into the garden while also ensuring that area receives light and sun?
Please, no theoretical considerations—I am already familiar with those. I am interested in practical insights: what is daily life really like with your chosen layout, pros and cons included.
For better understanding, attached are the site map and initial plan. The house will be 8 meters (26 feet) wide on the narrow northeast side and 11 meters (36 feet) on the long side. The street runs southwest.
I am looking for real-life experiences or others who have faced the same challenges on this topic.
How have you solved the issue of wanting to look out from the living area into the garden while also ensuring that area receives light and sun?
Please, no theoretical considerations—I am already familiar with those. I am interested in practical insights: what is daily life really like with your chosen layout, pros and cons included.
For better understanding, attached are the site map and initial plan. The house will be 8 meters (26 feet) wide on the narrow northeast side and 11 meters (36 feet) on the long side. The street runs southwest.
S
saralina8729 Mar 2021 19:20Julijuli schrieb:
Thanks for the reply @saralina87. Is the north corner of the house very dark? We were thinking about placing the utility room there, but then of course the view of the garden would be lost... No, it’s not dark. We have two large window walls, so plenty of light comes in. I definitely wouldn’t let that stop me from having the view and access to the garden!
And one more note from experience with a large glass front facing southwest as mentioned above: In summer, we never kept the roller shutters down during the day because it instantly became unbearably hot. So you don’t really gain much from what’s supposed to be the “best side.”
You need to let go of the idea that "it’s dark in the north" and reboot your mindset.
Yes, there are only a few days when sunlight still shines through the windows in northern regions. In that case, you can design the staircase area with panoramic windows or a small gallery where you can sit in the sunlight when it appears. In the living room, you often watch TV in the evenings anyway, so sunlight there is often overrated. You don’t necessarily need a view of the garden from the living room. People generally don’t stand in front of a window just to get some sun.
The garden often receives light from two to three sides… while some prefer to add one or two half-height windows in a sunny open-plan space, you can plan a panoramic window or patio doors facing the north garden. With a staggered shed roof on the upper floor or in a bungalow, you can also bring more light or sunlight in from another direction.
If the building plot allows it (which can’t be seen in your case due to an incorrect site plan), you can position the house further back. An L-shaped layout can also separate the living room garden from the entrance area. Much is possible if you move away from the standard "urban villa" concept. It comes down to personal priorities.
A garden is not just a terrace but includes various seating areas. A bench at the front of the property in the evening guarantees a view of the sunset. When it’s very warm in midsummer, sitting in a shaded east garden is more comfortable than in a windy west garden.
By the way, a north-facing garden receives sunlight from early afternoon onward.
Yes, there are only a few days when sunlight still shines through the windows in northern regions. In that case, you can design the staircase area with panoramic windows or a small gallery where you can sit in the sunlight when it appears. In the living room, you often watch TV in the evenings anyway, so sunlight there is often overrated. You don’t necessarily need a view of the garden from the living room. People generally don’t stand in front of a window just to get some sun.
The garden often receives light from two to three sides… while some prefer to add one or two half-height windows in a sunny open-plan space, you can plan a panoramic window or patio doors facing the north garden. With a staggered shed roof on the upper floor or in a bungalow, you can also bring more light or sunlight in from another direction.
If the building plot allows it (which can’t be seen in your case due to an incorrect site plan), you can position the house further back. An L-shaped layout can also separate the living room garden from the entrance area. Much is possible if you move away from the standard "urban villa" concept. It comes down to personal priorities.
A garden is not just a terrace but includes various seating areas. A bench at the front of the property in the evening guarantees a view of the sunset. When it’s very warm in midsummer, sitting in a shaded east garden is more comfortable than in a windy west garden.
By the way, a north-facing garden receives sunlight from early afternoon onward.
Our first house faced north and had large windows, making it very comfortable to live in.
The north-facing terrace was a real relief in summer,
while our neighbors with south-facing homes always kept their blinds closed.
If we wanted sunshine, we just took a few steps into the garden.
Are you the type who bakes in the sun at the beach during summer, or do you prefer sitting under an umbrella or tree?
You can have both in your garden.
The north-facing terrace was a real relief in summer,
while our neighbors with south-facing homes always kept their blinds closed.
If we wanted sunshine, we just took a few steps into the garden.
Are you the type who bakes in the sun at the beach during summer, or do you prefer sitting under an umbrella or tree?
You can have both in your garden.
It’s okay and nothing to worry about. In my opinion, you have too few windows, even with a southern orientation. Yes, in spring and autumn you notice a difference for a few minutes each day.
The garden in the northeast gets the first sunlight, and a bit further from the house you always have sun.
We had to choose the northwest because there is a slope in the northeast. Only the upper floor has garden access there.
The garden in the northeast gets the first sunlight, and a bit further from the house you always have sun.
We had to choose the northwest because there is a slope in the northeast. Only the upper floor has garden access there.
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saralina8731 Mar 2021 08:41Here is a picture taken yesterday at around 4:00 PM, showing the absolute north side:
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motorradsilke31 Mar 2021 09:15That room is quite dark already.
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