A south-facing or north-facing flat? How does the aspect affect your quality of life?

When viewing a property, it’s easy to focus on the floor area, the layout of the rooms and the standard of finish. It’s only after you’ve moved in that you realise just how much of an impact this has on your day-to-day comfort the layout of the flat – the amount of light in the morning, the temperature in the living room in summer, or the need to switch on the lights on a cloudy day.

My name is Rafał Radomski and I own two estate agencies in the Tri-City. For years, I have been advising clients on what they should look out for when choosing his flat and I know from experience that the question about the cardinal directions in the flat This should be considered before making a purchase decision. There is no single ideal orientation for every property. Other factors that matter include the floor level, the size of the windows, neighbouring buildings, trees, the layout of the rooms and the lifestyle of the future residents. Please read on to the next section of the article, where I explore this topic in more detail.

Table of contents

• How does the orientation of a flat affect everyday comfort?
  • Why does the amount of sunlight a flat receives matter?
• A flat facing south or north?
  • When is it worth choosing a double-sided display?
• What aspect of the flat should you choose?
• Comparison of a flat’s aspect
• Which aspect of the flat is best?
• FAQ - Frequently asked questions

How does the orientation of a flat affect everyday comfort?

The orientation determines the direction in which the windows face. It affects the amount of daylight entering the home, how the interior heats up, the potential for natural lighting in the rooms, and how the flat is used at different times of the day.

Polish technical regulations require that at least one room in a multi-room flat must receive at least 3 hours of sunlight on the days of the equinoxes, between 7.00 and 17.00. In city-centre developments, this time may be reduced to 2 hours. However, this is a design minimum, not a guarantee that a particular room will be bright and comfortable throughout the day.

In reality the amount of sunlight the flat receives The following also have an impact:

• storey height,
• distance from neighbouring buildings,
• the size and depth of the balconies,
• glazed area,
• trees and shading features,
• the time of year and the times when household members are at home.

Why does the amount of sunlight a flat receives matter?

Sunlight does not merely affect the brightness of a room. It also plays a part in the room’s thermal balance – in winter it can help to heat the room, whilst in summer it increases the risk of overheating. Therefore, a south-facing aspect is not always automatically an advantage, just as a north-facing aspect does not necessarily mean a dark and unpleasant space.

Before buying, it’s worth visiting the flat at the time of day when it will most often be used. A viewing at 11.00 will not show whether the living room remains light in the evening, and a viewing in winter will not give you a sense of how warm the interior gets in July.

A flat facing south or north?

A flat facing south It usually receives the most light during the day. This orientation works well in the living room, dining room and lounge. During the autumn and winter months, the interior can be brighter and benefit from additional sunlight.

In summer, this same advantage can become a problem. Large south-facing glazed areas without roller blinds, shutters, awnings or air conditioning can cause rooms to overheat. This is particularly true of flats on the top floors and properties with wide windows without external shading.

A flat facing north It provides a more diffused and stable light. Rooms heat up more slowly, making them more comfortable during hot weather. A north-facing aspect works well in a bedroom, dressing room, bathroom, kitchen or study, where sun glare on a computer screen can be a nuisance.

One limitation may be a reduced amount of natural light. If the premises are on a lower floor, opposite a tall building or behind dense vegetation, the interior may require more frequent use of artificial lighting.

When is it worth choosing a double-sided display?

A flat with windows on two sides often offers the best compromise. Windows facing in two directions provide more even natural light, make it easier to air the flat and allow for a clearer separation between the living and sleeping areas.

A practical layout is one where the living room faces south or west and the bedrooms face north or east. This isn’t always possible, but when buying a larger property, it’s worth paying attention not only to the main aspect but also to the orientation of each room.

What aspect of the flat should you choose?

The best orientation depends on the rhythm of the day. Someone who leaves early for work may appreciate the western light more when they get home. Someone working from home from the morning onwards may prefer a study facing east or north, where the light is softer.

The most commonly recommended layout is as follows:

• living room: south, south-west or west,
• bedroom: north or east,
• kitchen: east or north-east,
• children's room: east, south-east or south,
• office: north, east or north-east,
• balcony and terrace: a direction suited to the times at which they will be used.

However, you should not judge a property solely by using a compass. South-facing windows blocked by a neighbouring building may let in less light than north-facing windows with an unobstructed view. In one of the z our range The south-facing aspect has been highlighted as an asset, along with the unobstructed view of Gdańsk’s Old Town – it is only the combination of the orientation and the absence of obstructions that gives the full picture.

Comparison of a flat’s aspect

Field of study	The nature of light	Comfort in summer	Comfort in winter	The best rooms	Potential limitations
South	intense for much of the day	risk of overheating	good solar returns	living room, dining room, lounge	the need for sunshades
North	diffuse and even	interiors are usually cooler	less direct sunlight	bedroom, study, walk-in wardrobe	less light on the lower floors
East	morning light	moderate temperatures in the afternoon	cooler in the evening	bedroom, kitchen, children’s room	less light in the afternoon
The West	afternoon and evening light	a significant rise in temperature in the afternoon	bright interiors after work	living room, balcony, dining room	oppressive heat and glare
Double-sided	light at different times of day	easier ventilation	more consistent comfort	larger family flats	usually a higher price and fewer offers

Which aspect of the flat is best?

There is no single answer to the question, Which aspect of the flat is best?. A south-facing room provides plenty of light, but may require air conditioning or effective shading. A north-facing room offers more stable temperatures, but may be too dark in unfavourable surroundings. East-facing flats are well suited to a morning-oriented lifestyle, whilst west-facing ones are ideal for those returning home in the afternoon.

Before you buy, I suggest you check:

1. The orientation of all the windows, not just those in the living room.
2. Storey and distance from neighbouring buildings.
3. The size of the balconies and shading features.
4. The temperature inside on a sunny day.
5. Option to fit roller blinds or air conditioning.
6. The intended use of each room.

My agents and I specialise in the sale, purchase and letting of property in Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot. As experienced real estate office in Gdansk We help you assess not only the price and floor area, but also the functional layout, the position of the windows, the surroundings and the actual comfort of everyday use.

If you’re wondering, What aspect of the flat should I choose?, it’s worth visiting a few different venues and comparing them at a similar time of day. A floor plan with north marked is important, but only a visit to the premises will show just how much light actually enters the interior.

+48 783 187 968 – Gdańsk
+48 884 843 118 – Gdynia
biuro@radomskinieruchomosci.pl

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

1. Is a south-facing flat the best?

A south-facing aspect provides plenty of light and can improve comfort during the colder months. In summer, however, it requires effective sun protection, particularly where there are large glazed areas.

2. Is a flat facing north colder?

It may receive less direct sunlight, but the temperature also depends on the insulation, the heating system and the flat’s position within the building. A well-built north-facing flat need not be cold or damp.

3. What is the best setup for working from home?

A north- or east-facing room is usually the most comfortable, as it provides a calmer, more even light and less glare on the screen. A west-facing room, on the other hand, can get very hot in the afternoon.

4. Does the aspect affect the value of a flat?

Yes, because a bright living room, unobstructed views and a practical layout make the property more attractive. However, you cannot value a property solely on the basis of the direction the windows face – the floor, the surroundings, the layout and the standard of the building are just as important.

5. How can you check the orientation of a flat before buying it?

It’s best to use a floor plan showing north, a map or a compass on your mobile, and then check the conditions on site. It’s worth visiting the flat at different times of day, as the direction of the windows doesn’t take into account shade cast by buildings, balconies and trees.