Totally agree orientation can be a game changer. When we built our place, we initially focused way too much on total area and almost missed out on capturing the morning sun in our kitchen. Luckily, our architect nudged us to reconsider window placement. Now, even though our lot's modest, the house feels so much bigger and brighter—especially at sunrise. Sometimes it's the subtle things that make the biggest difference, you know?
We had a similar experience when planning our current home. Initially, we prioritized maximizing square footage, thinking more space automatically meant better living. But after visiting a friend's place that was smaller yet felt incredibly spacious due to thoughtful orientation and window placement, we reconsidered our approach. We ended up sacrificing some total area to position the living room windows facing southwest for afternoon light. Honestly, best decision we made—the quality of the space improved dramatically, even though it's technically smaller on paper.
"We ended up sacrificing some total area to position the living room windows facing southwest for afternoon light."
Interesting perspective, though I'd argue that orientation isn't always worth sacrificing square footage. We prioritized space for flexibility and future-proofing—natural light is great, but you can't easily add more room later...
We did something similar—ended up losing a bit of square footage to get better morning sun in the kitchen. Honestly, at first I was worried we'd regret it, but now it's my favorite spot in the house. Sure, extra space is always nice, but there's something about natural light that makes a home feel welcoming and cozy. Sounds like you made a thoughtful choice...bet you'll love those sunny afternoons.
"Sure, extra space is always nice, but there's something about natural light that makes a home feel welcoming and cozy."
Interesting perspective—I agree natural light can transform a space. Did you find it challenging to balance the desire for sunlight with privacy concerns from neighbors or street views? Curious how others navigated that trade-off...
