Natural light's great, but honestly, privacy's never been a big issue for me. Decent blinds or sheer curtains usually do the trick. I'd rather have a bit more yard space for gardening or grilling than worry too much about sunlight angles...
"I'd rather have a bit more yard space for gardening or grilling than worry too much about sunlight angles..."
I get where you're coming from, but after building quite a few homes, I've learned the hard way that sunlight angles can make or break your outdoor experience. I had a client once who insisted on maximizing yard space without considering orientation. Turned out his dream patio was blazing hot in the afternoons when he wanted to grill—he ended up barely using it. Meanwhile, another family with a smaller yard but better sunlight positioning practically lives outside because it's comfortable all day.
Not saying you have to obsess over angles or anything, just something to keep in mind if you're planning to spend serious time outdoors. A little extra thought early on can save you from trying to grill burgers under the scorching sun later.
Good points here, but honestly, yard size and sunlight angles don't have to be mutually exclusive. I've seen plenty of people get creative with landscaping or shade structures to offset less-than-ideal sun exposure. A friend of mine had a similar issue—big yard, but the afternoon sun was brutal. He ended up building a pergola with adjustable shades and planting some fast-growing trees strategically. Now he grills comfortably even on hot days.
I agree orientation matters, but if you're already set on a bigger yard, there are definitely workarounds. Just factor in some budget for shade solutions or landscaping tweaks down the road. It's not always about choosing one or the other...sometimes it's just about planning ahead a bit.
Totally agree about the pergola idea—my backyard faces west and used to feel like a frying pan every afternoon. I tried umbrellas first, but they were always tipping over or blowing away (lesson learned there...). Eventually, we built a covered patio with some roll-down shades on the sides. Made a huge difference, and now it's actually pleasant out there even in July.
One thing I'd add is that landscaping can really help too. We planted some taller shrubs along the fence line to block that low-angle sun in the late afternoons. Took a couple years for them to fill in, but now they're doing double duty—shade plus privacy from neighbors.
Point is, bigger yards definitely have their perks, but you gotta be prepared to get creative sometimes. Just don't underestimate how much plants and structures can change your space once they're established.
"Just don't underestimate how much plants and structures can change your space once they're established."
Good point about landscaping—people often overlook how much difference it makes. Curious, did you consider deciduous trees at all? I've found they're great for blocking summer sun but still letting in warmth during winter. Takes patience, sure, but once they're grown in, it's like having adjustable shading built right into your yard. Just gotta plan carefully so roots don't mess with patios or foundations later on...
