Are you in the market for a new house or apartment? Or maybe you’re just looking to rent a new place? In either case, it’s important to know the optimal orientation of your bedroom window.
This can determine how warm or cold the room can get during certain periods of the year. For example, if you love direct sunlight in the morning, this information can help you choose the right apartment to suit your personal preferences.
What is the best direction for bedroom windows?
Well, the right answer depends on where you live and how much heat/cold you prefer. If you live in a hot climate or during summer nights, having bedroom windows facing North East is most ideal. Not only should the bedroom stay cooler, but you can expect darkness once the evening falls. The bedroom window can also receive early morning light, which can help you stay more productive.
If you live in a colder climate, then the South-West may be the best place for bedroom windows. Not only can the bedroom stay warmer, but natural light can also enter the room much later in the morning, allowing you to sleep in.
Your bedroom can also stay lit by natural light throughout the day, eliminating the need to turn on artificial lights for reading or searching.
How can you determine the Best Direction for a Bedroom Window?
You now know that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to choosing the right bedroom window direction. Here are a few factors to consider to make your choice as simple and easy as possible
1. The best direction of your window depends on Your Climate
This is probably the most important factor to consider when trying to determine the best bedroom window direction. In general, we all live in areas that are either too cold or too warm most of the time.
If you live in a cold climate, choosing a direction that allows direct sunlight to enter the room can be a lifesaver in many ways. It can make the room more comfortable to sleep in, as the sunlight can reduce the severity of the cold.
However, if you live in the tropics, choosing a window direction with direct sunlight can have a significant detrimental effect. The power of the sun’s rays can make the room too hot for comfort, leading to night sweats and other unfavorable conditions.
Trying to fall asleep in sweltering heat is no fun, so keep that in mind when making these decisions, as your comfort could depend on it.
Did you read the article we wrote about How To Cool Your Body and Bedroom Without An AC? Click on the link for some crazy tips and tricks.
2. Do You Like to Sleep In?
Are you an early riser? If the answer is yes, choosing a bedroom window without direct access to natural light can make it harder to wake up.
Remember that the human brain associates darkness with sleep. So if you choose a room with a window that lets in little or no sunlight, you may have a hard time waking up at the time you want.
On the other hand, a bedroom window with direct light can be a terrible idea if you like to fall asleep. The bright rays can wake you up from a deep slumber, just when you’re shifting into fifth gear.
Therefore, it is important to choose a room with little to direct sunlight if you like to wake up late. Otherwise, the situation can get so bad that you may have to resort to Blackout Curtains to block out the natural light from your bedroom.
I got so sick of the sun’s rays hitting my face on Saturday mornings when I love to sleep in that I got the NICETOWN Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains from Amazon. It has been a revelation as I am now able to sleep undisturbed whenever I feel like it in the morning. Try it now and you will be glad you did.
3. Personal Need for Natural Light
Do you like the feeling of natural light in your room during the day? If the answer is yes, you can’t afford to get an apartment with bedroom windows that don’t let in natural sunlight.
Many of us have lived in apartments where the situation was so bad that we had to keep the bedroom lights on 24/7 on our days off from work.
However, if you prefer darkness during the day, you can always choose a bedroom with windows placed in areas that block natural light. Remember that dark rooms are more likely to make you fall asleep, as the human brain associates darkness with sleep.
Professionals who work from home and students who need to be productive throughout the day are better off opting for a bedroom that prevents natural light from entering.
Have you seen our comprehensive guide on Sleeping vs Napping? Click the link to read it now.
4. Cut down on Heating Costs with the help of the sun
If you live in a region where it’s cold all year round, heating can be one of your biggest expenses. But did you know that there are natural ways to cut down on heating costs?
Well, choosing a room that allows natural light can do just that. With the sun’s rays directly hitting the bedroom throughout the day, temperatures can rise in the evening and provide more comfort.
This allows you to get by with little to moderate heating, resulting in significant cost savings each month.
According to studies, the average American spends up to $1500 on heating in the winter months alone. If you live in a year-round cold region like Alaska, that can mean a lot of money every year.
5. Deep or Light Sleeper
Light sleepers wake up at the slightest provocation and often find it harder to get back to sleep. Deep sleepers, on the other hand, typically sleep through a variety of adverse conditions such as heat, sunlight, and even noise.
If you are a light sleeper, it is important to choose a bedroom window direction that allows little to no direct natural light. This can create a dark and cozy atmosphere for optimal nighttime rest.
The minimal amount of direct sunlight also means that the room is likely to stay cooler in the summer, therefore providing a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Characteristics of Different Window Directions
If you live in Northern Hemisphere, the direction of your window can offer different options and limitations in terms of access to sunlight. Let’s take a look at what each direction offers.
North facing windows
If your bedroom window faces north, you can expect abundant sunlight and natural light throughout the day. This can allow for warmer nights in the winter and the need for less heating.
However, there may be a greater tendency to overheat during summer days and nights. You may need to turn on the air conditioning around the clock to maintain a comfortable indoor environment. This can result in high energy costs, amounting to several hundred dollars per month.
However, if you live in a tropical region, north-facing bedroom windows may not be the best option.
East facing windows
We all know that the sun rises in the east, which means that east-facing bedroom windows can provide generous opportunities to enjoy the sunlight. Such rooms tend to get cooler when the sun begins to set in the late afternoon and evening.
If you live in a hot region or during summer heat waves, east-facing bedroom windows can be good for a comfortable night’s sleep at bedtime.
In addition, east-facing bedroom windows can be convenient for early risers, as the morning sun will shine in their faces and prevent oversleeping.
However, if you go to bed late and wake up just as late, it may be a wise idea to stay away from a bedroom with an east-facing window. You wouldn’t want the early morning sun to disturb your sleep, would you?
West facing windows
The sun sets in the west, which means that bedrooms with west-facing windows usually bear the brunt of the rays in the late afternoon. This can cause such rooms to be warmer in the evening, especially in the summer.
Those who live in the tropics may have to get used to sleeping in air-conditioned bedrooms to stay cool if they are stuck with west-facing windows.
On the other hand, west-facing bedroom windows can let in plenty of natural light throughout the day. This can make naps especially difficult unless you shade the bedroom with some dark curtains and turn on the air conditioning.
South facing windows
Windows that face south can be perfect for sleep, especially if you like to take an afternoon nap. Limited sunlight can make your bedroom more comfortable, especially in the summer when temperatures can be extremely high.
If you live in a city where the sun shines all year round, it can be a good idea to aim for bedrooms with south facing windows as they can make life much easier.
Conclusion
We’ve just shared everything you need to know about finding the right window orientation depending on where you live and your personal circumstances.
Knowing which direction to choose can make a big difference in your ability to wake up at the right time as well as get maximum comfort during the day.
